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.

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.




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

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    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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