What is a DBE?

To  be eligible as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) an applicant must meet  the following criteria:

1. The disadvantaged owner must be a citizen of the United States or have been lawfully admitted as a permanent U.S. resident.
2. The firm must meet USDOT size standards, be independent, be viable and be for profit.
3. The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged person. Economic disadvantage is a personal net worth under $750,000 excluding equity in the applicant business and the disadvantaged owner's primary residence.