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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

The DBE program's goal is to increase participation of firms owned by disadvantaged individuals in all federal aid and state transportation facility contracts.

The program started with the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982. The act set a national goal of placing at least 10 percent of federal highway and transit funds with persons who qualify as disadvantaged small business operators. A subsequent act in 1987 included women.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) invests between $600 and $700 million annually in federal and state dollars for highway, airport and transit projects. These funds translate into millions of dollars in transportation-related contracts and project work for DBE firms.

View more information about the DBE program via WisDOT's DBE program brochure. (730 KB)

Uniform Certification Program (UCP) application packet

To submit a complete UCP certification application, print, complete and return all documents and forms specified below. Failure to do so will delay your certification process.

The following documents are in Adobe PDF format unless otherwise noted.
(Note: Some files are large and may take longer to download depending on individual connection speeds. Users may need to zoom in to see details.)

• DBE UCP new certification application (730 KB)
• Requested work area and geographic area form (DT2188)
• Contractor's statement of experience (DT2186)
• Personal financial statement

Other resources

• DBE UCP checklist
• New certification instructions
• Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) and 49 CFR part 26

Firms currently holding Small Business Administration (SBA) certification should simply register their firm in the Civil Rights Compliance System and send a copy of the SBA application to any of the offices cited on the Wisconsin UCP application.

Civil Rights Compliance System

WisDOT uses the Civil Rights Compliance System to track all DBE firms and to ensure prompt payments. See the video to learn how you will be using it.

• UCP Civil Rights Compliance System video
• UCP certification manual (1.7 MB)

Other trucking resources

• Trucking schedule
• Motor carrier authority application
• US DOT truck number application or call (800) 832-5660

Firms already in the DBE program

The following documents are in Adobe PDF format unless otherwise noted.

• ASP 3 and Marquette DBE specification
• DBE trucking guidelines
• Process for replacing a DBE for non-performance
• Mentor/protégé program brochure

All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

You will need Microsoft Excel 2000 to view Excel files. If you do not have a copy of Microsoft Excel installed on your computer, you can use the Microsoft Excel Viewer (provided free of charge) to view Excel files. For more information about getting your free copy of Microsoft Excel Viewer, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

You will need Microsoft Word to view Word files. If you do not have a copy of Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you can use the Microsoft Word Viewer (provided free of charge) to view Word files. For more information about getting your free copy of Microsoft Word Viewer, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

You will need a video player (provided free of charge) to view our video files. For more information about getting a free video player, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page:
Rosie Smith, rosie.smith@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: July 16, 2008