DBE Program

DBE Program Information and Policy Statement

The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) receives federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and, as a condition of receiving this assistance, CCRTA has signed an assurance that it will fully comply with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 26, “Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Program.”

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program ensures equal opportunity in transportation contracting opportunities, addresses the effects of discrimination in transportation contracting and promotes increased participation in federally funded contracts by small, minority, and women-owned companies wanting to do business with CCRTA and other agencies receiving federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). 

A DBE Program Policy Statement has been signed by the Chief Executive Officer expressing CCRTA’s commitment to the DBE Program, stating the program objectives, outlining responsibility for implementation, and documenting how the policy statement has been and/or will be routinely circulated internally and externally to the DBE and non-DBE business communities. 

Because the CCRTA receives federal funding from the USDOT through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), it must in turn utilize as much as possible of that funding with the DBEs and small businesses. In accordance with 49 CFR Part 26.45, CCRTA has established its triennial overall DBE participation goal 14% for federal fiscal years 2023 through 2025. CCRTA intends to award at least 14% of its total DOT-assisted contracts with qualified DBEs through race-neutral and race-conscious means.

In compliance with 49 CFR Part 26.81, Texas has established a Unified Certification Program. The Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) provides “one-stop shopping” to applications for certification, such that an applicant is required to apply only once for a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) or Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) certification that is honored by all recipient agencies in the state. Therefore, certifications by all TUCP Partner agencies are binding on all agencies receiving federal USDOT funds in the State of Texas.

CCRTA is a member of the TUCP.  The TUCP consolidates all DBE/ACDBE firms certified by six different agencies into one centralized TUCP DBE Directory for USDOT funded contracts for airport, highways, and public transportation. 

The following are the certifying agencies of the TUCP:

• City of Austin (CoA)
• City of Houston (CoH)
• Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA)
• North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA)
• South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA)
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

CCRTA is responsible for processing DBE/ACDBE certification applications for businesses located in the following counties: Aransas, Bee, Goliad, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio.

Certification Eligibility Requirements

To be certified as a DBE/ACDBE, a company must meet all certification eligibility standards in 49 CFR Part 26 and Part 23:

Socially and Economically Disadvantaged

• Disadvantaged individual must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident and be a member of a socially and disadvantaged group:
• Women
• Black Americans
• Hispanic Americans
• Native Americans
• Asian-Pacific Americans
• Subcontinent Asian American
• Other minorities found to be disadvantaged by the SBA
• Disadvantaged individual must have a Personal Net Worth (PNW) of less than $1,320,000. Items excluded from PNW calculation include an individual’s ownership interest in the applicant firm and his or her equity in their primary residence.

Business Size

• The firm must be a for-profit business with a three-year gross receipts average (including its affiliates) under $30.40M (DBE only) and $56.42M (ACDBE only).
• The firm must not exceed the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards in 13 CFR Par 121 for the type of work it performs. 

Ownership and Control

• The socially and economically disadvantaged owner(s) must own at least 51% interest and have managerial and operational control of the business operations.
• The firm must not be tied to any individuals or other firms in such a way as to compromise its independence and control.
• A disadvantaged owner seeking certification must possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the firm. The owner must also have an overall understanding of the firm’s business operation to the extent necessary to make managerial decisions.

Applying for a New DBE/ACDBE Certification

Business interested in becoming DBE certified may apply via the CCRTA’s ONLINE portal or at https://ccrta.gob2g.com.

Click to access our DBE Certification Online Portal

For businesses opting to submit hard copy application may do so by completing the Uniform Certification Application, Personal Net Worth Statement form and attaching the supporting documentation requirements. Submit your complete application to the DBE Office at CCRTA – Staples Street Center, 602 N. Staples St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401.

Please use the existing Uniform Certification Application, Personal Net Worth Statement form, and DBE New Application Document Checklist.

Annual Update Affidavit (AUA)

DBEs/ACDBEs must update their certification annually.  CCRTA will notify you of upcoming annual updates. DBEs/ACDBEs must ensure that the information in the TUCP DBE Directory is correct.  

Submit the DBE or ACDBE Annual Update Affidavit online using CCRTA’s ONLINE portal or at https://ccrta.gob2g.com or download and submit the form and supporting documentation requirements to the DBE Office at CCRTA -Staples Street Center, 620 N. Staples St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401. 

Certification Expansion (Additional NAICS codes)

DBEs and ACDBEs applying for additional work codes (North American Industry Classification System-NAICS) must submit their application online using CCRTA’s ONLINE portal or at https://ccrta.gob2g.com and a completed and signed Expansion Form.

Interstate DBE Certifications

DBEs/ACDBEs interested in applying for interstate certification must submit their application online using CCRTA’s online portal at https://ccrta.gob2b.com.

Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program – Fostering Small Business Participation

• In compliance with the requirements of USDOT 49 CFR Part 26.39, CCRTA has developed a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program to ensure that small businesses have additional opportunity to participate on federally funded contracts. The SBE Program is open to all small business owners who meet the standards, including non-minorities.

SBE Implementation

CCRTA is committed to conducting the SBE program to foster small business (DBEs and non-DBE small businesses) participation in compliance with 49 CFR Part 26.39 through race-neutral measures. The SBE program is a supplement to the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. 

• The SBE program applies to contracts for which CCRTA has not set a DBE goal. However, if a certified DBE has been awarded a contract either as a prime contractor or subcontractor (when there is no contract goal), its participation shall be counted towards CCRTA’s DBE overall goals.
  
• When no DBE goal is established for a contract, provide procurement with a list of vendors found in the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) DBE Directory and CCRTA’s SBE Directory, that may have the capability to bid the contract as a prime contractor or subcontractor. These vendors are notified of the contract opportunity.
  
• Unbundle contracts, when possible, so an SBE can become a prime contractor on separate smaller contracts. This also includes the removal of unnecessary and unjustified bundling of contract requirements. Project Managers, Director of Procurement, Managing Director of Public Affairs, and the DBELO may conduct contract reviews on FTA-assisted contracts to determine whether portions of the project could be unbundled or bid on separately.
• Encourage CCRTA vendors to apply for SBE certification with CCRTA. CCRTA implemented a simplified certification process for SBEs. A qualified SBE, as defined by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) must meet the required average gross receipts (under Title 13 CFR Part 121.104) or average number of employees (under Title 13 CFR Part 121.106) to qualify as a small business concern.
• Exploring best practices to share the letting information with SBEs and encouraging small businesses which are also owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to seek DBE certification.

SBE Certification Requirements

To be eligible for certification as an SBE:

• A firm (including affiliates) must be a small business as defined by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). It must not have an annual gross receipt over $30,400,000 in the previous three years as provided by 13 C.F.R. §121.201 and 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26.65(b). Depending on the type of work the business performs, other size standards may apply.
• At least 51% of the firm’s assets and interest and classes of stock, if applicable, must be owned by one or more persons who are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents.
• Businesses interested in pursuing SBE certification shall apply online via the CCRTA’s Business Opportunity and DBE Program web portal at: https://ccrta.gob2g.com

CCRTA’s certified DBEs will be automatically certified as an SBE.   SBE certification is concurrent with the DBEs certification.

SBE certification is valid for three years from the initial date of certification for new applicants. To be certified as an SBE, SBE firm must submit a renewal application and documentation requirements online.

Click to access our SBE Certification Online Portal 

DBE Benefits

• Listing in the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) DBE Directory used by Prime Contractors to locate subcontractors for their project.
• Certification is recognized by agencies in the State of Texas using federal funds.
• Become accessible to prime contractors needing to fulfill DBE participation goal 
• requirements on projects.
• Expands opportunities to participate in federally funded projects.
• Goal credit for DBE participation on CCRTA projects.
• Increase opportunities to network and connect with primes and other DBEs at various outreach events.

TUCP DBE Directory

The Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) Directory is a consolidated list of DBE/ACDBE firms that have been certified in the State of Texas. The TUCP DBE Directory is published to help contractors and consultants identify subcontractors and subconsultants eligible to participate in federally funded contracts towards attaining DBE goals. DBEs/ACDBEs may be searched by business name, description, commodity/work codes, or location.

TUCP DBE Directory

CCRTA’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certified firms are listed in this Directory. The CCRTA’s DBE/SBE Directory is published to provide procurement with a list of certified vendors that may have the capability to bid on contracts as a prime contractor or subcontractor.

CCRTA DBE/SBE Directory

Contact Information

For certification applications, DBE compliance, and additional information about the DBE Program, please contact the following:

Laura Yaunk
DBE Liaison Officer
Phone: (361)903-3521
Email: lyaunk@ccrta.org

Resource Links 

49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26 – DBE Program Regulations

 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 23 – Airport Concessions DBE Program Regulations

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Size Regulations 13 CFR Part 121