Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Information
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is a federal program managed by the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as set forth in 49 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 26 and Part 23 to recruit socially and/or economically disadvantaged firms in DOT sponsored projects. The program’s goals are to remedy past and current discrimination against disadvantaged business enterprises, ensure a “level playing field” in which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts, improve the flexibility and efficiency of the DBE program, and reduce burdens on small businesses.
Any transportation-related project, including aviation, highway, or public transportation, which is supported in whole or in part by federal funding, must include an opportunity for DBE participation.
Because the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) receives federal funding from the Department of Transportation, it must, in turn, utilize as much as possible of that funding with small, minority-owned, and/or woman-owned companies.
Please note that DBE status is not required to do business with CCRTA; however, the CCRTA must seek out and certify eligible and interested firms in Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas. Each year the CCRTA must report back to the Department of Transportation how much of their funding went to DBEs, and it can only count those that are certified as such.
Business Development Plans & Studies
CCRTA Disparity Study
CCRTA Economic Impact
Certification Applications
For New Applicants:
Businesses interested in becoming DBE certified have two options to apply:
- Online Application (Recommended)
- Hard copy Application – complete the applications below (in PDF format)
For Certified DBE Firms:
DBE certified firms are required annually on their certification anniversary date to submit an annual update affidavit. Please click here to apply online (recommended) for an annual update. DBE firms may have the option of submitting a hardcopy of their annual update affidavit. Please complete the form below:
CCRTA DBE/ACDBE Annual Update Affidavit
Please mail or deliver the completed DBE application together with all supporting documents to:
Laura Yaunk
DBE Liasion Officer
Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority
602 N. Staples St.
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
For certification applications or additional information about the certification process, send an email to lyaunk@ccrta.org, or please contact the Office of DBE Programs at (361) 289-2712.
Eligibility Criteria
- A business must be 51% owned, controlled, and managed by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
- A business must be a small business defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards. Over the previous three fiscal years, the firm’s average annual gross receipts must not exceed U.S. DOT’s cap of $23.98 million.
- Effective February 28, 2011, the Personal Net Worth (PNW) of each socially and economically disadvantaged owner must not exceed $1,320,000. Items excluded from the disadvantaged owner’s net worth calculation are his/her personal residence and an ownership interest in the applicant firm.
- Only U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents are eligible for certification.
DBE Benefits
- Applicants need only apply once for DBE certification that will be honored by all recipients in the state. Reciprocity with other Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) members includes the Texas Department of Transportation, City of Houston, North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, and South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency.
- Registers your business with the Texas Department of Transportation’s statewide DBE Directory
- DBE Certification enables qualified vendors to bid not only on CCRTA projects but the opportunity to bid statewide for all DOT transportation modes, including Aviation, Highways, and Public Transportation.
- DBE Certification also provides your company with numerous other benefits such as contract information, referrals, technical assistance, and referrals to prime contractors.
DBE Overall Goal
Proposed Overall DBE Goal FFY 2017-2019
Per 49 CFR Part 26.45, the proposed overall DBE goal for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Assisted Activities for Federal Fiscal Years 2017 through 2019 is 16%. CCRTA expects to meet three (3) percent through race-neutral measures and 13% through race-conscious measures of this overall goal.
DBE Overall Goal FFY 2013-2016
CCRTA’s overall DBE goal for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Assisted Activities for Federal Fiscal Years 2013 through 2016 is 13%. CCRTA expects to meet three (3) percent through race-neutral measures and 10% through race-conscious measures of this overall goal.
DBE Directory
Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26.81, the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority participates in Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP)