Interested in ACDBE, DBE or SBE Certification
The ACDBE, DBE & SBE Programs provide business assistance to contribute to the growth and self-sufficiency of businesses in the transportation industry. Services include business skill development and training, networking opportunities, bonding assistance, and more.
Eligibility Criteria
The ACDBE, DBE & SBE Programs have many eligibility requirements that must be met. Below is not an all-inclusive list. For questions regarding program requirements, please contact us.
ACDBE, DBE & SBE Program Criteria:
- Business Size: A firm (including affiliates) must be a small business as defined by SBA standards. Find the table of size standards based on your business’s work type (NAICS Code) here.
- Personal Net Worth: The majority owner(s) of the company must have a personal net worth under $2,047,000 (excluding equity in applicant/certified business, primary residence, and retirement accounts).
- For-Profit: Firm must be organized for profit. Not-for-profit organizations are not eligible.
- Citizenship: Majority owner(s) must be a citizen (or lawfully admitted permanent resident) of the United States.
In addition, ACDBEs & DBEs must meet the following:
The majority owner(s) must:
- Demonstrate social and economic disadvantage affirmatively based on their own experiences and circumstances within American society, without regard to race or sex.
- Provide a Personal Narrative (PN) that establishes the existence of disadvantage by a preponderance of the evidence based on individualized proof regarding specific instances of economic hardship, systemic barriers, and denied opportunities that impeded the owner’s progress or success in education, employment or business, including obtaining financing on terms available to similarly situated, non-disadvantaged persons.
- The PN must state how and to what extent the impediments cased the owner economic harm, including a full description of type and magnitude, and must establish the owner is economically disadvantaged in fact relative to similarly situated non-disadvantaged individuals.
- The owner must attach to the PN a current Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement and any other financial information they consider relevant.
How Do I Apply?
Submit certification documents via the File Transfer Service: https://transfer.mt.gov.
A Business Development Specialist is assigned to each business.
In State Applicants
Complete the forms below and provide the supporting documentation listed at the end of the application.
DBE Program Forms (note: DBEs are automatically eligible for the SBE Program. Do not fill out both sets of forms)
ACDBE/DBE Personal Narrative
ACDBE/DBE Application
ACDBE/DBE Personal Net Worth Form
SBE Program Forms
SBE Application
SBE Applicants must also complete a ACDBE/DBE Personal Net Worth Form.
Out of State Applicants
Please email the following to
(1) A cover letter that specifies that your business is a DBE applying for interstate certification, identifies all UCPs in which the DBE business is certified (including the UCP that originally certified your business)
(2) An electronic image of the UCP directory of the original UCP that shows the DBE certification; and
(3) A new Declaration of Eligibility (DOE).
Already DBE/SBE Certified
Reimbursements
In-state, highway related businesses are eligible for up to $2,500 per year for bonding, training, professional memberships, travel costs associated with training. Fill out the form here: Reimbursement Request Form
Business Development Program (BDP)
If you are DBE or SBE certified but haven’t been able to break into contracting with MDT as a prime or subcontractor or consultant, the BDP may be for you. Participants of the BDP work with our Supportive Services Specialist to put together an individualized business plan that includes steps to help you succeed. This may include meeting with MDT staff to provide information on bidding, RFP scoring, testing standards, certified payroll requirements, etc. or it may include a technical training that your staff need. Participants of the BDP are eligible for an additional $1,000 in reimbursement funding (for a potential total of $3,500).
Reporting Changes & Annual Documentation
You must report changes that may impact your eligibility.
ACDBE/DBE Change Report – Print and fill out
ACDBE/DBE Change Report – Fill out online
Certified firms are required to submit a Declaration of Eligibility and a copy of their most recent business taxes on their anniversary date.
ACDBE/DBE Declaration of Eligibility (DOE)
SBE Declaration of Eligibility (DOE)
If you would like to end your participation in the ACDBE, DBE or SBE Program, please submit the form below: