In accordance with U.S. DOTs Interim Final Rule (IFR), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Airport Concessions Program Implementation Modifications, 90 Fed. Reg. 47,969 (Oct. 3, 2025) pertaining to the DBE Program and 49 C.F.R. Part 26, CapMetro is pausing establishment of DBE goals and enforcement of DBE goal compliance requirements until further notice.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program


The DBE Program

  • Ensures equal opportunity in transportation contracting markets.
  • Addresses the effects of social and economic disadvantage businesses in transportation contracting.
  • Promotes increased participation in federally funded contracts by small, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses.

The statute requires that at least 10 percent of the amounts made available for any Federal-aid highway, mass transit and transportation research and technology program be expended with certified DBEs.

CapMetro's DBE Policy

CapMetro's DBE Policy outlines our mission and goals for the program.

  • Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT assisted contracts
  • Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT assisted contracts
  • Ensure that the DBE Program operates in a nondiscriminatory manner while maximizing efficiency of
    service in accordance with applicable law
  • Ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to
    participate as DBEs
  • 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 the DBE
    Program

Tell us what you think!

Click HERE or scan the QR code below to take the Small Business Program Survey.

QR code for survey

Federal Regulation, 49 CFR, Part 26, Subpart E, section 26.81 states that each state must implement a "one stop" certification process for DBEs. Each entity receiving DOT funds is required to enter into and sign an agreement establishing and supporting a Unified Certification Program (UCP) within the state.

In response to this mandate, 6 agencies have agreed to perform the certification of DBEs within the state of Texas under the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP). The agencies are: Texas Department of Transportation, North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, city of Houston, city of Austin and the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority.

Fill out the DBE application and return it to the certification agency in your area.

The certifying agencies are:

Once a firm has been certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), it will remain certified for at least 3 years, unless its certification has been removed for reasons outlined in 49 CFR Sec. 26.87.

CapMetro actively encourages DBEs to solicit bids for CapMetro requirements. Once your company is certified, our Procurement Department will receive information about it for future sourcing activities.

For more detailed information, visit the Texas Unified Certification Program DBE Information Directory.

If my business is certified as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB), am I considered a DBE?

No, not automatically. The DBE program is different from the HUB program. The DBE program is a federally regulated program requiring a separate certification process than the state's HUB program. The net worth of the company is one of the critical factors in determining who is eligible to be a DBE. The net worth of the company cannot exceed $1,320,000.

How long is a DBE Certification valid?

DBE Certification is generally valid for up to 3 years. However, on the anniversary of its certification date, a DBE must submit an affidavit that certifies it as a DBE, affirming that there are no changes in circumstances affecting size, disadvantaged status, ownership or control requirements of 49 CFR, or any material change in the information provided in the application.

What is the Texas Unified Certification Program?

The TUCP is a one-stop certification process for federal DBE programs in Texas. The TUCP consolidates all certified DBE firms into a centralized DBE directory for U.S. DOT-funded contracts for airports, highways and public transit.

In our continued effort to make our processes more efficient for you, CapMetro is pleased to offer an easy-to-use system for tracking and reporting contracts. Called B2GNow, the system makes it convenient for prime vendors to report payments made to both DBE and non-DBE subcontractors. In addition, the system includes a Vendor Reporting System (VRS) module for vendors to report payments to subcontractors and allows subcontractors to verify the payments associated with their contracts.

Carlos Balderas
Manager Small Business Programs & Compliance
512-574-4853
carlos.balderas@capmetro.org

Jaqueline Gholston
Small Business Programs Specialist
737-267-7417
jaqueline.gholston@capmetro.org

Cassie J. Flores-Peoples
Small Business Programs Specialist
210-620-2518
cassie.flores@capmetro.org
Vanessa Meza 
Program Coordinator Small Business Programs & Compliance 
512-705-5022
vanessa.meza@capmetro.org 
DBE email
dbe@capmetro.org   
SBPC email
SBPC@capmetro.org

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

CapMetro’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program ensures equal opportunity in transportation contracting opportunities and promotes increased participation in federally funded contracts to small, social and economic disadvantaged businesses. The DBE Program is a federal requirement under 49CFR part 26 for recipients of federal funds with $250,000 or more in contracting opportunities (excluding bus vehicle purchases). The CapMetro DBE program is recognized as one of the best-implemented programs across the industry.

In addition, the DBE program implementation requires extensive attention to contract compliance. Small Business Programs & Compliance staff is involved in the procurement process from beginning to end, starting with setting DBE goals for federally funded procurements, evaluation of the submitted procurements for DBE compliance and close monitoring of the contracts once they have been awarded.

Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program

CapMetro's Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program applies to locally funded projects. For locally funded projects, CapMetro developed an SBE program to be inclusive of all small businesses and maximize small business participation in accordance with Transportation Code, Title 6, Subtitle K, Chapter 451, Subchapter A, Subchapter F, Section 451.251 – 451.253. The SBE Program aligns its good faith effort fiscal year SBE goal with the triennial DBE goal.

CapMetro defines small businesses as any business whose annual gross income averaged over the past 3 years does not exceed the Small Business Administration's (SBA) size standards as set forth in 13 CFR, Part 121. A size standard is the largest that a firm can be and still qualify as a small business.

CapMetro's SBE program provides full and fair opportunities for equal participation by small businesses at CapMetro. The program is broad in order to create opportunities, require competitiveness and assist SBEs in overcoming potential barriers to participating in contracting opportunities. The SBE program promotes and encourages SBEs to participate in procurement opportunities and encourages bidders to include certified SBEs in subcontracting opportunities.

The Small Business Programs & Compliance staff assigns small business goals to procurement opportunities as is necessary and proper to increase the level of small business participation across all CapMetro projects.