Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

The City of Sugar Land developed a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 49 CFR Part 26. The City received Federal financial assistance in the form of a grant from the DOT (specifically from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), an operating administration of the DOT), and as a condition of receiving that assistance, the City signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26. It is the policy of the City to ensure DBEs, as defined in Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in FTA-assisted contracts.

What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or DBE?

A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) is a small business concern as defined pursuant to Section 3 of the Small Business Act and implementing regulations, which is owned and controlled by one or more disadvantaged individuals. Owned and controlled means a business that is at least 51% owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

What are the Objectives of the DBE Program?

  1. To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department’s financial assistance programs;
  2. To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;
  3. To ensure that the Department’s DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
  4. To ensure that only firms that fully meet this part’s eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
  5. To remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts;
  6. To promote the use of DBEs in all types of federally assisted contracts and procurement activities conducted by recipients;
  7. To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside of the DBE program, and;
  8. To provide flexibility to recipients of Federal financial assistance in establishing and providing opportunities for DBEs.

How does my business become a DBE?

The Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) is a certification process for federally defined DBE programs in Texas. A business’s DBE certification is valid for any Texas entity that receives DOT funds and has a DBE program. Click here for more information about TUCP.

Eligibility Criteria to become a certified DBE:

  1. A business must be at least 51% owned, controlled, and managed by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
  2. Socially and economically disadvantaged individuals include but are not limited to Women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific, and Subcontinent Asian Americans. Other individuals can also qualify on a case-by-case basis.
  3. A business must be a small business as defined by Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards. The firm’s average annual gross receipts over the previous three fiscal years must not exceed U.S. DOT’s cap of $30.72 million.
  4. The Personal Net Worth (PNW) of each socially and economically disadvantaged owner must not exceed $1.32 million. Items excluded from disadvantaged owner’s net worth calculation are his/her personal residence and ownership interest in the applicant firm.
  5. Only U.S. Citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents are eligible for certification.
  6. Company must be registered in the state of Texas.

The City of Sugar Land's DBE Program

DBE Program Staff Contact

City of Sugar Land
Engineering Department
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer (DBELO)
2700 Town Center Blvd. N
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Phone: 281-275-2780
Email: engineering@sugarlandtx.gov