Small Business Certification programs for small and underutilized businesses.

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  • How NCDOT Can Help Your Business

    The N.C. Department of Transportation is committed to ensuring all North Carolina businesses have the opportunity to participate in our projects.  We advocate, administer, implement, and monitor equal employment opportunity programs for recipients of state and federal funds.

    Our certification programs are designed to advance the economy and strengthen communities across the state.

    The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE) is a legislatively mandated USDOT program that applies to federal-aid highway dollars expended on federally assisted contracts issued by USDOT recipients such as state transportation agencies.

    Congress established the DBE program in 1982 to:

    • Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts
    • Help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts
    • Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside of the DBE program.
    (NOTE: The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program is under administrative review by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Program information could change. To learn more, please visit information on the “Disadvantaged Business Enterprise – Interim Final Rule” below).    

DBE

  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise - Interim Final Rule (IFR)

    Prior to Oct. 3, 2025, disadvantaged businesses were owned by women or minorities with a net worth of less than $1.32 million, had a controlling interest in the company and met other requirements.​

    Oct. 3, 2025

    The U.S. Department of Transportation published to the Federal Register the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Interim Final Rule (IFR).​ The rule took effect Oct. 3, 2025.

    The USDOT determined that using race- and gender-based presumptions of disadvantages violates the U.S. Constitution.

    The N.C. Department of Transportation is working with its federal partners on guidance about the rule so we can keep the DBE community and other stakeholders informed of the latest information.
     
    The rule means:

    • All currently certified DBEs must undergo reevaluation. 
    • Business owners must demonstrate evidence of individualized social and economic disadvantage, regardless of race and gender, to qualify as a disadvantaged business enterprise or Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.
    • The use of contract DBE goals or counting work performed by DBEs toward overall goals is suspended until each state can complete reevaluations of the DBEs.  
    • Contracts with DBE goals awarded and executed before Oct. 3 are valid, but DBE participation cannot be counted until recertification is complete.​
    The DBE Interim Final Rule is a proposed rule. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program is under administrative review by the USDOT. The program could change.  

    Take Our Brief Survey

    The NCDOT is preparing for the DBE Interim Final Rule reevaluation process. The agency wants to understand business owners’ experiences, concerns and needs so we can assist you during the reevaluation process. 

    NCDOT’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Compliance, formerly the Office of Civil Rights, invites you to complete a brief survey to help us understand your interest in reapplying for DBE/ACDBE certification in North Carolina.
     
    Your input is essential. NCDOT will use the survey results to understand your concerns and determine next steps as the DBE program moves forward.  

    Please complete the survey linked below no later than Feb. 20, 2026.
     

    ​Reevaluation Process

    The Interim Final Rule requires that NCDOT reevaluate each small business to determine if the business is eligible to be recertified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. 

    NCDOT expects to start the reevaluation process later in 2026. 

    The surveys will identify which businesses are seeking recertification as well as data and stakeholder sentiment NCDOT will use during the reevaluation process. 

    As required by the IFR, NCDOT will need to determine the degree to which each business being evaluated can prove evidence of social and economic disadvantage, without regard to race or sex. 

    DBEs must provide documentation supporting personal experiences as evidence of social and economic disadvantage, without regard to race or sex. 

    During the reevaluation process, NCDOT will review documents that support evidence a business has been subjected to social and economic disadvantage. Please start gathering the following documents:

    • 3 years of federal and state tax returns (include all schedules)
    • Bank statements
    • ​Loan application denials
    • Credit reports
    • Profit and loss statements
    • Balance sheets
    • Accounts receivable aging reports
    • Any other financial information you consider relevant
    • Educational documents to support instances of disadvantage
    • Employment documents to support instances of disadvantage
    • Personal narratives that establish the business owner is economically disadvantaged in relation to similar, non-disadvantaged individuals. It must state: the barrier, when it occurred, and the extent to which the barrier has caused the owner economic harm.   

    Disclaimer: Applicants may submit other information if they feel it is relevant to the reevaluation process. ​

SBE

SPSF

HUB

  • Historically Underutilized Businesses

    HUB certifications are for businesses that are 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by one of the following:

    • Minorities (black, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American)
    • Women
    • Disabled persons
    • Socially or economically disadvantaged persons

    Certify your business as a HUB 

    Primary contractors:  Search for a HUB Vendor

MBE/WBE

  • Minority Business Enterprise / Women Business Enterprise

    Minority business enterprises are defined as a business that is 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a minority (black, Hispanic, Asian American or Native American).

    Women business enterprises are 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a women.

    Businesses must comply with Title 23 USC 140, FHWA 1273 and Executive Order 11246 in order to be eligible for MBE/WBE certification.

    Learn about the MBE/WBE program ​

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    No. The Interim Final Rule is a proposed rule. Approval of the rule is pending. The U.S. Department of Transportation is conducting an administrative review of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. Once the USDOT’s revie​w is complete, the DBE program could change.​

    It’s unknown at this time what, if any, impacts the IFR could have on transportation in North Carolina. However, the IFR does raise concerns about potential economic impacts to transportation. Suspension of the DBE program could disrupt the flow of transportation business and result in increased costs and administrative burdens for small firms and workforce shortages on projects as more firms without the necessary qualifications compete for contract work.

    • 2,499 certified DBEs (1,506 where N.C. is original jurisdiction of certification.)
    • 429 ACDBE firms

    The IFR relates to the eligibility requirements for the DBE Program. As a recipient of federal funds, the N.C. Department of Transportation must comply with the rule, and all federal and state civil rights laws. As such, NCDOT’s implementation plan must align with the USDOT’s IFR. NCDOT’s plan will involve increasing awareness and participation of small firms in race- and gender-neutral programs, such as the small business enterprise and small professional service firms.

    All decision-making the state agency makes regarding the DBE program is subject to review by the federal transportation agency.

    NCDOT is hosting informational webinars with transportation partners, small businesses and the transportation contracting community. Webinars are being hosted Oct. 31, Nov. 12, and Nov. 21.

    During the webinars, NCDOT staff are communicating about the IFR impacts, the rule’s implementation, and what the rule means for businesses. Participants are being given an opportunity to ask questions and provide input.

    NCDOT took immediate action to suspend all project-related DBE goals and compliance efforts. The agency is in the process of establishing a timetable for reevaluation of firms’ eligibility and to update the DBE Program plan. The timetable and the plan are subject to review and approval by the USDOT.

    All currently certified disadvantaged business enterprises must undergo reevaluation by the state’s Unified Certification Program (UCP). The UCP will evaluate each DBE applicant to determine the applicant’s eligibility based on the criteria outlined in the rule.

    Under the new rule, individual business owners must demonstrate evidence of social and economic disadvantage to qualify as a disadvantaged business.

    NCDOT is working with the USDOT to clarify the meanings in the rule. NCDOT will communicate that information to stakeholders when the agency receives further guidance.

    Each state has its own Unified Certification Program (UCP). In North Carolina, this program is administered by NCDOT’s Office of Civil Rights. The UCP is responsible for evaluating applicant businesses to determine if they meet the criteria to be a disadvantaged business enterprise. Under the IFR, UCP staff will evaluate each business applying to be a disadvantaged business enterprise. Firms eligible for inclusion in the DBE program will have to demonstrate a social and economic disadvantage.

    As the administrator of the North Carolina UCP, NCDOT is working with USDOT to determine how businesses can meet the IFR’s requirement to demonstrate evidence of social and economic disadvantage to be eligible for participation in the DBE program. All decisions made by the UCP are subject to review by the USDOT.​

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