A few years ago, if you wanted to do business as a DBE statewide in Texas, you would have to fill out dozens of applications with entities around the State. Then the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) required that all DOT funded recipients participate in a “unified certification program” for each state in the USA in an effort to alleviate the paperwork burden on small businesses.  As a result in October 2002 Texas established a system whereby six (6) major organizations now certify DBE firms across the state.  Now, Texas DBE firms can only be certified by the agency servicing the county in which their home office is located. Firms are then entered into one centralized database holding all DBEs certified in Texas. DBEs are eligible to bid on DOT-funded contracts throughout the state.

The RTA is responsible for certifying DBEs with home offices in the following counties: Aransas, Bee, Goliad, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio. 

Interested and eligible vendors in these counties can print a copy of the DBE Certification Application available on this site or contact our offices to have an application mailed to them.

Complete the application and submit it to RTA offices, along with all necessary supporting documentation. Such documentation includes business and personal income tax returns, resumes of majority owners, personal net worth statements, proof of U.S. citizenship or residency, to name a few. Additional documentation is required depending on business structure (ie. Sole proprietor, partnership, corporation). Please note that applications must be signed by majority owners and notarized. Notary service for DBE applications is available free of charge at the RTA DBE office. Call to schedule an appointment.

Once application and all necessary documentation have been submitted and reviewed, a site visit will be conducted at business location.  Determination of DBE eligibility and recommendation of DBE certification will be made at conclusion of process. Successful applicants will be placed on the statewide DBE database and issued a DBE certificate, valid for 3 years.