NCDOT Online Certification Application Portal Online Certification Resources for Small and Disadvantaged Businesses

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About Us
  • ​The mission of the NCDOT's Office of Economic Opportunity and Compliance (formerly the Office of Civil Rights) is to grow and build capacity for small businesses and expand opportunities for businesses to participate in NCDOT contracts.  The office promotes workforce development and strengthens education partnerships.

    One of the Office of Economic Opportunity and Compliance’s programs has undergone recent changes that small businesses need to understand.

    A 2025 federal ruling ended race- and gender-based presumptions of disadvantage for the small businesses that are part of EOC’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. The rule means that all disadvantaged business enterprises must now reapply and provide updated evidence of social and economic disadvantage to confirm their continued eligibility in the program.

    NCDOT, which is responsible for determining businesses eligibility for the DBE Program, is reevaluating each small business that reapplies to the program. NCDOT staff will determine if the business is eligible to be recertified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.
    As required by the ruling, businesses reapplying to the program must provide documentation supporting personal or professional experiences as evidence of social and economic disadvantage, without regard to race or sex.

    During the reevaluation process, NCDOT is reviewing documents that support evidence that a business has been subjected to social and economic disadvantage. Those documents can include federal and state income tax returns, bank statements, loan application denials, credit reports, profit and loss statements, educational and employment documents to support instances of disadvantage, as well as personal narratives that establish the business owner is economically disadvantaged.

    The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It ensures disadvantaged businesses have the opportunity to do business with the N.C. Department of Transportation. To be eligible, businesses must be certified through the NCDOT. This website contains information about how to become certified by completing NCDOT’s online application.

    The USDOT DBE web page includes additional information on the DBE program as well as an informative video.

Manage Certification

  • Businesses become certified based on the information provided at the time of certification. It is the DBEs responsibility to notify its certification agency within 30 days of any change that can impact a firm’s certification. DBEs must also annually affirm that there have been no ​​changes other than the changes previously reported.

    DBEs certified by NCDOT should process the following certification management actions through the NCUCP online system.

    The following items could affect a firm from becoming certified:

    • Changes in firm circumstances affect the firm's eligibility, or
      material changes in the information provided in the firm's application form;
    • Submission of annual affidavit of no change and supporting documents every year on the anniversary of the date of your certification;
    • Work code change/expansion requests;
    • Notification of address, phone, or other contact information changes; 
    • Withdrawal of certification

    Failure to notify NCUCP of changes or submit an annual affidavit of no change within the required time frame is deemed a failure to cooperate and grounds for removal of a firm’s certification.

    The Business Opportunity Workforce Development Unit increases DBE self-sufficiency and competitiveness, provides training and promotes increased participation in projects generated by NCDOT.

    What are the benefits of DBE certification?

    As a certified DBE, your probability of being selected by prime contractors is increased because they are able to count your participation as a DBE toward their contract goals business development opportunities are provided by NCDOT's OCR and BOWD Unit to ensure businesses owned and operated by women and disadvantaged individuals have an opportunity to participate on federally funded or assisted transportation projects.

    The BOWD Office offers assistance to certified DBE's to help them compete in the marketplace in their current business area or transition into other business areas. The BOWD Office provides customized development plans as a service to DBE's at no cost. NCDOT will maintain a complete directory of all certified DBE's in North Carolina. The directory allows firms' information to be available to agencies across the state.

    The Small Business Enterprise Program was developed to provide contract opportunities for firms that meet the eligibility criteria to compete against other businesses in their industries and markets. This program gives smaller businesses with annual gross incomes up to $1.5 million, excluding materials, the opportunity to participate in NCDOT construction projects.​

    Type of Work:

    Typical work that may be let under the SBE Program includes projects that cost up to $1,000,000. Those projects include grubbing, clearing and grading, hauling stone and other materials, erosion control, paint striping, landscape planting, bus stop modifications, and electronic and carpentry work on ferry terminals.

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    SBE Guidelines and Forms

    The Small Professional Service Firm Program was developed to provide sub-consulting opportunities for firms that must be a(n):

    • Citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident of the U.S.;
    • Independent entity;
    • Existing, for-profit business
    • A small business as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration, 13 CFR Part 121 in Sector 54.

    The SPSF program is a race, ethnicity, and gender-neutral program designed to increase the availability of consulting opportunities for small businesses on federal and state funded contracts.​

    SPSF Guidelines

Directory of Firms

  • What is the Directory of Firms?

    The Directory of Firms is a real-time consolidated list of firms that have been certified through North Carolina's Unified Certification Program as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.
     

    The directory also contains real-time information on firms that have been prequalified to perform work on and/or bid on NCDOT contracts. Prequalification is not a warranty or assurance that a firm is qualified or has the capacity to perform the type(s) of work the owner has represented its firm as competent to perform. Prequalification by NCDOT does not relieve the prime contractor of his responsibility for determining if the subcontractors selected are, in fact, qualified to perform the work for which they are engaged.

    What is a NAICS Code?

    A North American Industry Classification System code was developed as part of the federal NAICS system for to collect, analyze and publish statistical data related to the U.S. economy.

    How do I get a NAICS Code?

    NAICS is a Self-Assigned System; no one assigns you a NAICS code. Rather a company will select the code that best depicts their primary business activity and then will use it.

    Start your NAICS code search

    Table of Small Business Standards matched to NACIS Codes as of Aug. 19, 2019.

FAQs

  • Businesses interested in becoming certified can apply online. To request access for the first time, follow the steps below.

    1. First apply for an NCID (Allow 1-2 business days). See NCID Account Instructions below.
    2. Complete the EBS Access Request Form. See Portal Account Instructions Below.
    3. Once access is granted, proceed to NCDOT's Online Certification Application Portal.
    4. Log into the system by entering your user and password information

      5. NCID_Login_Page.jpg 

    5. Select the appropriate application tile (DBE,SBE,SPSF) to start the certification application.

      6. NCID_Login_Page.jpg  

    Use of the NCUCP online system is encouraged and is intended to facilitate the application process. Paper submissions must include the DBE Certification Application, a personal net worth statement and all the supporting documentation described in the application. The first page of the application includes guidance to help firms determine if they should apply.

    After all required information is submitted, the NCUCP will conduct a thorough analysis of the information, perform an on-site interview and determine whether the applicant can be certified as a DBE. The review process generally takes about 90 days for in state and 60 days for interstate once an application is deemed complete. If supporting documentation, signatures or notarizations are missing, or additional information is needed, the application is considered to be incomplete.


    Step 1: Select account type, choose register displayed in the bottom right corner of the page.
     
          NCID_Login_Page.jpg
     
    Step 2: In order to register for an NCID account on the New User Registration Page, select the Individual Tab to complete the Vendor/or Firms Company Account Information.
     
    NCID_Register_Indiv.jpg 
     
    Step 3: Choose a user ID and password.

    Step 4: An email will be delivered to your personal email to confirm the account setup is complete. Reply to the verification email.

    Step 5: Review the terms of service
     

    Step 1: Select the link below to create the account for the North Carolina Certification Application Portal by completing the EBS access request form.
    https://ebs.nc.gov/sap/ocraccess/index.html


    Step 2: Enter the required business information to complete the form and click submit displayed at the bottom right. The form will be delivered to NCDOT's Office of Civil Rights staff to verify the DBE account certification as active.


    Step 3: When the account is confirmed to be active, the system will provide a confirmation page with a request number. Reply to the verification email.


    Step 4: The EBS security team will set up the user-ID in the system and notifies the vendor/firms user via email once the account is activated. (Note: The account activation will take approximately 24 hours before granting the user access to the portal).

     

    Step 5: Confirm that you have read and agreed to the terms of use by clicking the accept button.

     

    Step 6: The vendor/firms user can login to North Carolina Online Certification Application Portal using their NCID user ID and password:  

     
    Click the URL: Login or Create An Account 
    1. What criteria is used to determine net worth for DBE eligibility?
      Personal net worth is under $1.32 million
    2. Who qualifies as a socially and economically disadvantaged individual?
      To be eligible for DBE certification, you must meet the social and economic disadvantaged criteria. You are presumed to be disadvantaged if you are a woman, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, Subcontinent Asian American, or other minority found to be disadvantaged by the SBA.
    3. What is a HUB certification?
      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
      • Socially or economically disadvantaged
    4. What is a DBE certification?
      Disadvantaged businesses are owned by women or minorities with a net worth of less than $1.32 million, have controlling interest in the company and meet other requirements.
    5. What is an SBE certification?
      Businesses with incomes of less than $1.5 million, minus materials, are eligible to certify as an SBE.
    6. What is an SPSF certification?
      a. The SPSF Program was developed to provide subconsulting opportunities for firms that meet the eligibility criteria. Small businesses determined to be eligible for participation in the SPSF program are those meeting size standards defined by regulations.
      b. The SPSF program is a race, ethnicity, and gender-neutral program designed to increase the availability of consulting opportunities for small businesses on federal and state funded contracts.
    7. Where are the SBA’s size standards defined?
      The NCDOT uses U.S. SBA size standards to determine whether a business entity is small and, thus, eligible for participation in the SPSF program. The size standards are expressed either in number of employees or annual receipts in millions of dollars, and indicates the maximum allowed for a business and its affiliates to be considered small.
    8. Does ACDBE apply to railway and bus concessions as well?
      The ACDBE Program is similar to the DBE program in that it is a USDOT program designed to level the playing field for small businesses who wish to participate in contracting opportunities at airports.
    9. How does 51 percent ownership apply to co-owners (50/50)?
      The owner who would qualify for admission into the DBE program is required to be made 51% owner in order to qualify for entrance into the program.
    10. How does 51 percent ownership apply to spouses that share residence and assets?
      Only joint assets count towards income calculations.
    11. Is the value of the primary residence included and excluded from assets?
      Primary residence is excluded from assets.
    12. What does it mean to be pre-qualified?
      DBE certification is a separate and distinct event from prequalification to bid or do work for NCDOT. In order to bid or work on NCDOT contracts, DBE firms must also go through the prequalification process. The one exception is that SBE contracts, which do not require prequalification, must be self-certified. This self-certification is separate from DBE certification.
    13. What are the benefits of being in the DBE program?
      As a certified DBE, your probability of being selected by prime contractors is increased because they are able to count your participation as a DBE toward their contract goals.
      Business development opportunities are provided by NCDOT's OCR and BOWD to ensure businesses owned and operated by women and disadvantaged individuals have an opportunity to participate on federally funded or assisted projects.
      The BOWD Office offers assistance to certified DBE's to help them compete in the marketplace in their current business area or transition into other business areas. The BOWD Office provides customized development plans as a service to DBE's at no cost.
      NCDOT will maintain a complete directory of all certified DBE's for the entire state, which allows firms' information to be available to all agencies across the state.
    14. Is the website presented in other languages?
      Spanish.
    15. How does NCDOT monitor performance and participation on projects?
      The Utilization, Contractor Compliance and Contractor Utilization departments are used to monitor and report on the DBE program’s performance.
    16. Is a Good Faith Effort required for non-construction projects (procurement)?
      Yes.
    17. Are the state requirements GFE requirements the same as the federal?
      Yes. State GFE requirements are based on the federal guidelines
    18. What is a CUF and how does it apply to contracts?
      A CUF is a Commercially Useful Function. A DBE performs a commercially useful function when it is responsible for execution of the work of the contract and is carrying out its responsibilities by performing, managing, and supervising the work involved.
    1. I am already a vendor with NCDOT. Can I use the same NCID login for this application?
      Yes. Proceed to the Landing Page, download and request access to the SBE or SPSF application. Make sure to send that request to DBEOpportunity@ncdot.gov.
    2. I am already DBE certified. Do I need to complete another application?
      Partially. If you are already DBE certified, go to the landing page and request access to an SBE or SPSF application through the DBE (SAP) team. They will send you a notification when that request has been granted.
    3. I need to change my tax ID# and the system won’t let me. What do I need to do?
      If you need to make a change to your ownership structure, Tax ID#, etc., send an email to DBEOpportunity@ncdot.gov and request instructions on updating or changing information in the system.
    4. What fields are mandatory?
      There is an asterisk beside the mandatory fields. These must be completed before the application can be submitted.
    5. What is the "check" button at the bottom used for?
      This button can be used to see that all fields on the page have been successfully completed. If they haven’t, a list of necessary changes will be generated.
    6. Can I choose more than one division in which to work?
      Yes.
    7. What is an "affidavit" and why do I need to print, sign, notarize and upload?
      An affidavit is a sworn statement, in writing, made under oath before an authorized person e.g., a notary public. By signing the application in the presence of a notary, you are swearing that all information you have provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge. We need you to upload it, so we will have a copy on file.
    8. Do I need to submit anything in addition to the application?
      Yes, you must submit a substitute W-9 with each application.
    9. How do I know my application has been submitted?
      If submitted correctly, you will be redirected to the applications page and the status will be listed as submitted.
    10. How long does it take after my application is submitted before I get certified?
      Normally processing time for an SBE or SPSF application is between 5-7 days once a completed application with all supporting documentation and signatures are received. You can go back to the portal at any time to check the status of your application.
    11. Once my application is approved, how do I maintain my certification?
      As a courtesy, the NCDOT will send a reminder letter, by email, approximately 30 days prior to when renewal is needed. However, the SBE/SPSF is responsible for renewing by the anniversary date whether or not a reminder letter is received. You need to enter the portal system and make changes, if necessary, changes can be made online. The SBE/SPSF Certification Team will process your renewal in 5-7 days.
    1. Minimum system requirements:
      1. Any Microsoft Windows system with Microsoft IE, Microsoft Edge or Chrome browser;
      2. Internet connectivity (Dial-up or faster);
      3. Android or Apple mobile devices.
    2. What is NCID and how it relates to the Certification Process?

      North Carolina Identity Management is the web-based identity management system used to access the online portal. All users are required to obtain an NCID prior to accessing the online system. Once the NCID is obtained, use this as the username for setup and maintenance of your online application and account. (For example, “rfreeman” is a correct NCID. “NC001234” is not a correct NCID.)
    3. DBE Portal Access Steps
      1. Primary user fills out NCID request form;
      2. NCID account is approved for user;
      3. User is granted access to NCID and requests access to EBS portal;
      4. Once EBS portal access is approved, the user can proceed to access the DBE portal for initial certification, certification renewals and updates.

     

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Contact Us

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    HELPFUL CONTACTS AND INFORMATION
     

    EBS (SAP) Support

    Services Team​

    ​​N​orth Carolin​a Identity

    (NCID) Service Support

    For assistance with your EBS user ID, password or other application account issues:

    Please contact:

    EBS (SAP) Support Services
    Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    919-707-2208
    EBSSupport@ncdot.gov​​

    ​​For any assistance with NCID or password issues:

    Please contact:

    ITS Service Desk
    919-754-6000
    or
    1-800-722-3946 

    NCID Sign In Help​

     

    DBE Email Address for NCUCP:  DBEOpportunity@ncdot.gov​

    SBE Email Address:  SBE@ncdot.gov

    SPSF Email Address:​  SPSF@ncdot.gov

    Phone: 984-236-1245​

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