Civil Rights Program

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Availability and Disparity Study Report

Caltrans must develop an overall goal for DBE participation whether or not it implements race- or gender-conscious measures to achieve that goal.  Caltrans must annually submit an overall annual goal for FHWA approval on August 1. The statewide DBE Program overall goals and a description of the methodologies used to calculate it can be found by clicking on the following: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Overall Goal and Methodology.

Amended Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Overall Goal and Methodology

In August 13-22, 2007, Caltrans conducted twelve Public Participation Meetings statewide to solicit public comment on its proposed DBE Program Goals & Methodology to FHWA.  The DBE Program Overall Goal and Methodology was amended to include public input and can be found by clicking on the following:  Amended Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Overall Goal and Methodology.

Request (1) for additional information by FHWA on Caltrans Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Overall Goal and Methodology

In January 2008, FHWA requested further information of Caltrans relative to its proposed DBE Program Goals & Methodology.  The information requested and the Caltrans response can be found by clicking on the following:  Request (1) for additional information by FHWA on Caltrans Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Overall Goal and Methodology.

Request (2) for additional information by FHWA on Caltrans Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Overall Goal and Methodology

FHWA requested additional information of Caltrans relative to its DBE Program Goals & Methodology. The subsequent information and Caltrans response can be found by clicking on the following: Request (2) for additional information by FHWA on Caltrans Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Overall Goal and Methodology

California Construction Contracting Program

FREE construction-related business management counseling and training is available to you. Don’t wait; this is your training and counseling highway to Winning Caltrans Contracts!

The California Construction Contracting Program is a great opportunity for you if your business provides services from Asphalt to Porta-Potties; from backhoes to fencing; from catering to architectural and engineering services.  You need to prepare yourself and your business to take advantage of FREE counseling and training services!

These services are provided through a partnership between Caltrans, the California Community College’s Economic and Workforce Development Program, and the California Small Business Development Center program.

Locations and schedules for counseling and training are located at http://www.buildcalifornia.org/

Olivia Fonseca, Deputy Director and Small Business Advocate

Thank you for your interest in participating in the State of California Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program and the Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification Program.

The purpose of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Civil Rights Program is to increase the level of participation of disadvantaged businesses in all Federal contracting activities. Pursuant to Federal regulations, to participate in our program, qualifying firms must first be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) by the Caltrans Civil Rights Program. (916) 324-1700 or toll free at (866) 810-6346.

Firms interested in certification as a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) should contact the Department of General Services, Procurement Division, Office of Small Business and DVBE Certification (OSDC) (800) 559-5529 or (916) 375-4940.

Only small business concerns as defined by the United States Small Business Administration which are owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, can be certified as a DBE. Owned and controlled means:

• At least 51 percent of the small business concern is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; and
•  Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.

For the MBE/WBE Certification Programs:

An MBE is a small business owned and controlled by one or more minorities. Owned and controlled means:

• At least 51 percent of the small business concern is owned by one or more minorities or, in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of all issued stock is owned by one or more minorities; and
• Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals.

A WBE is a small business owned and controlled by one or more women. Owned and controlled means that:

• At least 51 percent of the small business concern is owned by one or more women; and 
• Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women who own it.

In order to avoid unnecessary delays, please complete all portions of the Application and the attached Personal Net Worth Statement/Affidavit. Indicate non-applicable items by using "N/A". Copies of documents requested in the questionnaire are required and must be submitted. Additional documentation may be requested if it is considered necessary to make a certification determination. Incomplete applications, or any without the required documents, will not be evaluated until such documents are submitted.