Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
The goal of the DBE program is to ensure a level playing field and participation opportunities for small businesses owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
As a recipient of funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and in compliance with 49 CFR Part 26, the City of Boston has created a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. The goal of the DBE program is to ensure a level playing field and participation opportunities for small businesses owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All City contracts that are funded wholly or partially by FTA financial grants are required to comply with the DBE program and the City’s triennial DBE participation goal.
The City of Boston received federal funding from the USDOT and FTA Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grants program. The RAISE funding will go towards the Roxbury Resiliency Corridors Project completed by the Boston Transportation Department (BTD). The project will include updates and improvements to three key corridors in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood.
More information on the Roxbury Resiliency Corridors Project can be found here.
DBE Qualifications
The U.S. DOT defines a DBE as a for-profit small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who also control management and daily business operations.
Presumed socially and economically disadvantaged individuals include: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific and Subcontinent Asian Americans and women. Other individuals may also qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis.
Note for City-Certified Businesses: Businesses that are certified as MBE, WBE, SBE, SLBE, VOSB, and SDVOSB through the City’s Department of Supplier Diversity do not de-facto qualify as DBEs. You must also certify your business as a DBE with the MassDOT UCP/DBE Certification Office in order to participate on federally-assisted contracts as a certified DBE.
DBE Certification
DBE Certification is a federal designation used with USDOT funded projects and contracts. Businesses that wish to participate on City of Boston contracts as DBE’s must first become DBE-certified through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). MassDOT has established a Unified Certification Program (UCP) available to businesses who seek to do business with agencies as DBEs.
For more information on how to become DBE certified please visit MassDOT’s Unified Certification Program website.
FY 2025-2027 DBE Goal
Part of the DBE program is the requirement for funding recipients to establish overall triennial DBE participation goals. The City of Boston has established a goal of 13.1% for the triennial period of 2025-2027.
This goal means the City will work to spend 13.1% of the FTA-assisted contract dollars with certified DBE’s.
Contact Information
For more information on the DBE program or assistance with DBE certification please contact Katherine Cutler, Policy and Compliance Manager for the Department of Supplier Diversity, at Katherine.Cutler@boston.gov.
