DBE Program

What is the DBE Program?

U.S. Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program requirements must be met on Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) federally-funded (or DOT-assisted) design and construction projects. The objectives of the DBE program are:

• To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department’s highway, transit, and airport financial assistance programs;

• To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;

• To ensure that the Department’s DBE program operates in a nondiscriminatory manner and without regard to race or sex, while maximizing efficiency of service;

• To ensure that only firms that fully meet this part’s eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;

• To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts;

• To promote the use of DBEs in all types of federally assisted contracts and procurement activities conducted by recipients.

• To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program; and

To provide appropriate flexibility to recipients of Federal financial assistance in establishing and providing opportunities for DBEs.

DBE Commitment

All ITD Federal-Aid projects must include a complete DBE Commitment Package (ITD-2396, ITD-2399, & ITD-2400) with DBE Commitments included (ITD-2399 & ITD-2400). Here is an example of a completed ITD-2396 and instructions.

Prime Contractors must submit this completed package to be considered regular for bid submissions. All DBE Bid Commitment Packages (ITD-2396, ITD-2399, & ITD-2400) must be submitted by the prime contractor by 5:00 pm on the day of bid to: DBESubmittal@itd.idaho.gov

To get copies of the blank fillable ITD-2396, ITD-2399 and ITD-2400 forms, please use the ITD Form Finder link and look up each form by number. All current and updated forms are found there.

How to qualify as a DBE

Applicants carry the initial burden of proof regarding their eligibility and must demonstrate that they meet all certification requirements, those include:

• Social and Economic Disadvantage Status,
• Business Size Determination,
• Ownership,
• Disadvantaged Status,
• Personal Net Worth,
• Control,
• NAICS codes

Certification agencies follow the requirements found in 49 CFR Part 26 to certify or deny firm DBE status.

Please see the CFR for full certification requirements (eCFR :: 49 CFR Part 26 Subpart D — Certification Standards) and for overall program requirements see the full CFR for all program requirements (eCFR :: 49 CFR Part 26 — Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs).

You can apply for DBE certification online at (Diversity Management System – Idaho Transportation Department).

DBE Program Plan and Compliance

The Idaho Transportation Department recognizes its responsibility to ensure that Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) have an equal opportunity to participate in the performance of USDOT-assisted contracts and subcontracts administered by ITD.

As part of its continuing effort to fulfill this responsibility, ITD follows a DBE Program Plan that reflects the requirements and guidance contained in 49 CFR 26. Additionally, this plan provides DBEs and other contractors with information on their responsibilities when it comes to USDOT-assisted contracts, as well as ITD’s implementation procedures.

Good Faith Efforts

When a project DBE goal has been assigned on any federally funded project the bidder has two options to meet this requirement. They can either meet and exceed the goal or they can document adequate good faith efforts. This means they documented and took all the necessary and reasonable steps to achieve a DBE goal that could reasonably be expected to obtain sufficient DBE participation. The efforts employed by the bidder should be those that one could reasonably expect a bidder to take if the bidder were actively and aggressively trying to obtain DBE participation sufficient to meet the DBE contract goal. Mere pro forma efforts are not good faith efforts to meet the DBE contract requirements. For more help, please see the Helpful Guide for Good Faith Efforts and the CFR Appendix, Guidance Concerning Good Faith Efforts.

DBE Supportive Services

The Idaho Transportation Department has contracted with Project Solutions, Inc. (PSI) to provide free DBE Supportive Services to Idaho certified DBEs. The contract is effective through October 23, 2026.

PSI will assist certified DBE firms with small business assistance including outreach, education, resources, and tailored technical assistance needed to competitively bid and successfully perform on ITD projects.

PSI will offer business development and leadership training sessions, provide virtual technical assistance workshops, and one-on-one consulting to eligible DBE firms that are interested in participating.

For DBE Supportive Services assistance please contact PSI by phone at 605-737-0377 or via email at dbe@projectsolutionsinc.com. If you have difficulties reaching PSI, please email CivilRights@itd.idaho.gov.

Please keep an eye out for the monthly DBE Newsletter as it contains useful business development information, announcements, DBE program news, and upcoming events.

Diversity Tracking System

The B2GNow system is designed to automate vendor reporting requirements, empowering vendors to maintain accurate contact information, and submit sub-contract payment details online. The Diversity Management System is accessible to all firms doing business with ITD.

• Automated communication with contractors via email regarding compliance
• Submission of contractor utilization reports online
• Online verification of subcontractor payments
• Automated tracking of contract goals and participation
• Online ability to search for certified DBE firms using advanced keyword search capabilities
• Streamlined online DBE certification application process
• Online ability to search and view currently registered bidders
• Streamlined online bidder’s registration process