Blacksburg Transit has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal of 2.10% for programs utilizing Federal Transit Administration funds spanning federal fiscal years 2023, 2024 and 2025. This goal is in accordance with regulations of USDOT 49 CFR Part 26. BT is accepting input via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. regarding the DBE goal through September 30, 2022.
Comments, questions or requests by firms for DBE certification should be addressed to:
DBE Liaison Officer: Mishell Evans
Blacksburg Transit
2800 Commerce Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Phone (540) 443-1581 Hearing Impaired 711; FAX (540) 951-3142; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) program that was established to ensure that firms owned by minorities, women, and other socially and economically disadvantaged persons have an equal opportunity to participate in federally assisted projects.
The objectives of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program are:
- To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assisted contracts
- To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for FTA assisted contracts
- To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law
- To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs
- To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in FTA assisted contracts
- To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside of the DBE Program
- To provide appropriate flexibility to recipients of Federal financial assistance in establishing, and providing opportunities for DBEs
Blacksburg Transit has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26. Blacksburg Transit has received Federal financial assistance from the Federal Transit Administration, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, BT has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.
Certification Overview
Blacksburg Transit is a member of the Virginia Unified Certification Program. Interested parties may find more information on the DBE program on the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (DSBSD) website at https://www.sbsd.virginia.gov/.
Businesses interested in becoming certified as a DBE must complete and submit an application through the DSBSD. Upon approval, these companies can be used to meet the DBE goals established for Blacksburg Transit’s federally-funded contracts.
The following are general eligibility requirements for DBE certification:
- 51-percent owned, managed and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s)
- Must be a small business as defined by Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Personal Net Worth Limit: $1.32 million
- Gross receipts must not exceed $23.98 million averaged out over three years
- Firm must be organized as a for-profit business
Note: Members of these groups are presumed disadvantaged:
- Asian-American
- African-American
- Hispanic
- Native American
- Women
For more information concerning certification and supportive services, please contact a DSBSD program specialist at 804-786-6585.