Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) wants to work with firms that support equal employment opportunities and hire workers who reflect our region’s diversity. As a federal grant recipient, BJCTA must have a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Policy, annual DBE goals, and Civil Rights/Title VI policies in place.

Program Goals

The DBE Program removes barriers that prevent women and minorities from participating in contracting opportunities. This is not a quota or set-aside program – it is goal-based and requires good faith efforts to meet targets.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) governs the DBE Program under 49 CFR Part 26 & 23. It applies to projects funded with federal dollars from the FAA, FHWA, and FTA. BJCTA follows DBE guidelines for both federally and non-federally funded projects.

Our Policies

To ensure DBEs have equal opportunities in DOT-funded contracts, BJCTA:

Prevents discrimination in awarding and managing DOT-funded contracts
Creates fair competition for DBEs in DOT-funded contracts
Removes barriers to DBE participation in DOT-funded contracts
Ensures the program follows all applicable laws
Only allows firms that fully meet eligibility standards to participate as DBEs
Helps develop firms that can compete successfully outside the DBE Program

We encourage small, women-owned, and minority-owned DBE firms to submit bids or proposals. All potential business partners get equal, non-discriminatory opportunities to compete as joint venture partners or subcontractors.

What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise?

A DBE must be:

A small business as defined by Small Business Administration standards
51% owned and controlled by one or more minority individuals
Owned by an economically disadvantaged person with personal net worth not exceeding $2.047 million and business revenue less than $30.72 million
Owned by a socially disadvantaged individual
Owned by African American, Female, Native American, Asian-Pacific, or other minority individuals