Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

Pursuant to 49 CFR part 26, it is the policy of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) that disadvantaged business enterprises as defined by U.S. Department of Transportation 49 CFR Part 26 shall have a fair opportunity to compete and participate on WMATA contracts and subcontracts.

WMATA assigns DBE participation goals on contract-by-contract basis on federally funded construction contracts having a total dollar value greater than $500,000 and on non-construction procurements having a total value greater than $150,000.

WMATA is a member of the District of Columbia Unified Certification Program (DCUCP) along with the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT).

The following are general eligibility requirements for DBE certification:

  • 51% percent owned, managed and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s)
  • Must be a small business as defined by Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • Personal Net Worth Limit: $1.32 million
  • Gross receipts must not exceed $28.48 million averaged out over three years
  • Firm must be organized as a for-profit business

Note: Members of these groups are presumed disadvantaged:

  • African-American
  • Asian-American
  • Hispanic
  • Native American
  • Subcontinent Asian-American
  • Women

Businesses interested in becoming certified as a DBE must complete and submit an application through the Supplier Portal.

DBE Certification Application Steps -Home State

For WMATA purposes you are considered "Home State" if your principal place of business is the District of Columbia. Click here if your company is not located in D.C.

Steps to Submit an Application

  1. Download and complete the Uniform Certification Application (UCA).
  2. Collect all supporting documents (page 15 of the UCA)
  3. Download and complete the required Personal Net Worth (PNW) Form.
  4. Register as a supplier using WMATA's Supplier Portal. A temporary password will be sent to the email provided during registration.
  5. Apply for Certification; Sign-In using your User ID and Password.
  6. Click on Main Menu then on DBE/SBE/MBE Certification > Add a  New Value

Certification Documents

DBE Certification Application Steps -Interstate Certification

Applies to firms located outside the District of Columbia.

Steps to Submit an Application

  1. Firm must be certified as a DBE in its home state and make sure that their information is displayed accurately on the home state's DBE directory.
  2. Firm may seek DBE certification with WMATA by providing a copy of their certification notice from its home state
  3. WMATA will confirm that the firm has a current valid certification from its home state by reviewing the electronic directory of the firm's home state or obtaining written confirmation from the home state certifying agency.
  4. Register as a supplier using WMATA's Supplier Portal. A temporary password will be sent to the email provided during registration.
  5. Apply for Certification; Sign-In using your User ID and Password.
  6. Click on Main Menu then on DBE/SBE/MBE Certification > Add a  New Value