Texas DBE Program

The program summary on this page was last updated on 09/26/2018. If any of the information or links are out-of-date, please contact us.

Businesses in Texas interested in becoming certified as a DBE must apply through the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP). Application through the TUCP may be performed via the Diversity Management System that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintains. Once certified as a DBE, a firm is eligible to be counted towards the DBE goals TxDOT maintains on certain federally funded projects. Participants on such projects must make a good faith effort to include DBEs. DBEs are also eligible to be listed in the TxDOT directory of DBEs. Certification as a DBE is valid for three years but must be updated each year.

Does this local/state program offer reciprocal certifications with other local/state programs? A business must be certified in its home state as a DBE if it is seeking interstate certification, and follow specified application procedures (interstate certification is not automatic).

Does this certification expire? Certification is valid for a period of three years. However, businesses must update their certifications annually via affidavit.

Are there multiple agencies that offer this certification in the state? The member agencies of the TUCP are: the City of Houston, Office of Business Opportunity; the City of Austin, Small and Minority Business Resources Department; the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority; the North Central Texas Certification Agency; the South Central Texas Certification Agency; and the Texas Department of Transportation.

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 attain the certified DBE participation goal on all projects to which such a goal has been attached.

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