A partial list of participating entities’ programs follows. Visit each entity’s website for more detailed information.
The Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program helps small disadvantaged business enterprises compete for transportation contracts funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
To certify as a DBE, a firm must be socially and economically disadvantaged. Revenue limits, personal net worth limits and other restrictions apply. Most DBEs are minority- or women-owned firms, but white male-owned firms that can demonstrate social and economic disadvantage can also be certified as DBEs.
The Minnesota Department of Administration and several other agencies operate a Targeted Group Business Program that encourages participation of minority- and women-owned firms and companies owned by people with a substantial physical disability. The program only applies to certain non-federally-funded contracts.
Similar to the TGB program, the Minnesota Department of Administration also provides price preferences for small businesses certified as Economically Disadvantaged Small Businesses. A company located in an economically disadvantaged county, which includes federally designated labor surplus areas and low-income counties, can be certified as an economically disadvantaged small business. A firm can also be certified as such if the owner resides in an economically disadvantaged area.
The Minnesota Department of Administration operates a Veteran-Owned Business Program in parallel to the TGB and Economically Disadvantaged Business Program. A firm owned by a veteran can be certified under this program.
Hennepin County and the City of Saint Paul operate business assistance programs that jointly rely on certification through the CERT System.
The City of Minneapolis operates the Small Underutilized Business Program (SUBP) for minority- and women-owned firms.
The Metropolitan Council applies the Metropolitan Council Underutilized Business (MCUB) program to non-federally funded contracts. MCUB businesses include certified Targeted Group Businesses, DBE-certified businesses based in Minnesota, and veteran-owned businesses certified by the Department of Veteran Affairs or the Department of Administration. For the MCUB program, the Metropolitan Council mirrors Federal DBE Program regulations.
