Tennessee DBE Program

The program summary on this page was last updated on 09/13/2018. If any of the information or links are out-of-date, please contact us.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Small Business Development Program oversees the state of Tennessee’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. Once a given business is certified as a DBE, they are listed in the online directory maintained by TDOT as such, they become eligible for various opportunities to receive training and assistance, and they are eligible to be counted towards DBE participation goals, when a prime contractor must make a good faith effort to include DBEs towards that goal.

Does this local/state program offer reciprocal certifications with other local/state programs? Out-of-state applicants must be certified as DBEs in their home state and follow the interstate application procedures.

Are there multiple agencies that offer this certification in the state? Yes, the members of the Tennessee Unified Certification Program are available at https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/civilrights/small-business/2018.02%20DBE%20Program%20FACT%20SHEET.pdf.

Does this program require bidders attempt to make a good-faith effort to meet participation goals? Yes, bidders must make a good-faith effort to meet the project goal where a DBE participation goal is established.

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