Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

Two women wearing construction gear with elevated road construction going on

The County of Santa Clara (County), as a recipient of federal financial assistance from the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has established a Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. The goal of the DBE program is to level the playing field by providing small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.

County’s Disadvantaged Enterprise policy statement

It is the policy of the County to:

Ensure that DBEs, as defined in 49 CFR 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts.
Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts.
Create a level playing field on which DBE’s can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts.
Ensure that the DBE participation percentage is narrowly tailored, in accordance with applicable law.
Ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs.
To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in Federal-aid contracts.
To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program.