Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)​ ​

Interested in applying for DBE certification or want to learn more? Check out the program information listed below.


Georgia Unified Certification Program (GUCP)

Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Interim Final Rule (IFR) published on October 3, 2025, the previously existing race and sex based presumption of disadvantage in the DBE Program regulation has been determined to violate the Constitution and has been removed from the federal Program requirements. Under the revised rule, any individual seeking to demonstrate that he or she is a “socially and economically disadvantaged individual” will be required to make an individualized showing of disadvantage, regardless of the individual’s race or sex.

Below​ is a Personal Narrative form that must be completed and submitted to the GDOT or MARTA depending on the certifying agency that provided your firm’s original certification. Reminder that firms located in Clayton, Dekalb or Fulton county are certified by MARTA. This form will be used to allow the firm owner to credibly demonstrate his or her individual disadvantage in various areas of life experience as outlined in the Personal Narrative. Please carefully review the Personal Narrative form and the Instructions in support of the form as provided by the “help” button that appears on each page of the Personal Narrative.

Once submitted, the Personal Narrative form will be carefully reviewed by the GDOT or MARTA team per the reevaluation instruction provided by U.S. DOT. A decision regarding the firm’s eligibility for DBE Program participation will be made by the certifying agency and formally communicated to the firm in writing. According to the IFR, each Unified Certification Program (UCP) shall complete the reevaluation process as quickly as practicable following the issuance of the IFR.

Personal Narrative Form ​​​​​​​​​

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Need Assistance?​​​

If you would like to talk to a representative, call the DBE Help Desk at (404) 631-1273​.​​​​

DBE Marketplace 

2024 DBE Marketplace

Thursday, December 5 | 9am - 12pm

The DBE Marketplace highlights a group of DBE firms that provide services supporting small businesses. Register now to network and meet potential business partners seeking to do business with Georgia DOT.

Register Now

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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation

​​ Georgia DOT held a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation teleconference for FAA-funded contracts/agreements on July 31,​ 2023. The conference provided information to stakeholders pertaining to projects occurring in federal fiscal years 2024 through ​2026. ​​​​

DBE Program & Goal (Aviation)​​​​​​​​​

Interim Final Rule (IFR) Webinar

On Monday, November 10, 2025, three webinar sessions were hosted with GDOT and MARTA certification teams to provide updates on the impacts of the Interim Final Rule (IFR) published on October 3, 2025. Each of the three sessions are posted here for review. Each of the sessions is titled by the audience that was in attendance. Though many of the questions and comments are similar, each of the sessions were geared toward the particular audience.


 
DBE Session
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Local Government Session
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Prime Session
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Programs

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Supportive Services

If you have questions pertaining to DBE certification or if your firm is already a Georgia Certified DBE and has questions related to your certification, need assistance identifying work with GDOT, need bonding assistance, or have other training needs please contact the GDOT Supportive Services Provider, Construction Estimating Institute at (404) 631-1273.

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SSFP Business Help Center

A Business Help Center is open to eligible GDOT certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, registered small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses that have an interest in working on GDOT’s State Funded Projects. The Center provides training, consulting, targeted matchmaking, one-on-one assistance, and meeting space and computer access.

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DBE Certification​​​​​​

​How Can I Become DBE Certified

Learn how to​ apply for DBE certification​.

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DBE Brochure​​​​​​

I'm Certifie​d Now​ What?

Learn how to how to qualify to work for Georgia DOT.

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Application Description

Program Documents
Prime/Sub Contractor
UCP Directory
Goals

Plans

Studies

Reports

Regulations

A DBE must always perform a commercially useful function (CUF). Evaluation of whether a DBE is performing a CUF on a particular contract will occur every time the DBE is listed to work on a contract. A business performs a CUF when it is:

  • Responsible for the execution of a distinct element of work in the contract.
  • Carrying out its obligation by actually performing, managing, and supervising the work involved.
  • Performing work that is normal for its business, services, and function.
  • Performing or exercising responsibility for at least 30 percent of the total contract with its own work force and is not further subcontracting a portion of the work that is greater than that expected to be subcontracted by normal industry practice.

2016 Disparity Study