DBE Program

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority’s (CCRTA) top priority is the safety of our business partners, riders, and community.

To reduce the spread of germs, CCRTA’s DBE Office has the following updates:

1. DBE and ACDBE Certification Procedures (in compliance with the guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation- Office of Civil Rights on March 24, 2020):

The foregoing guidance has been extended until June 30, 2022.

a.) On-Site Visits:

i) CCRTA may utilize a computer, tablet, and mobile device technologies, such as FaceTime, GoToMeeting, and other similar telecommunication applications to interview firm owners/key personnel and take virtual tours of office space, equipment, and job sites.

ii) If virtual technology is not accessible and a telephone interview is conducted, CCRTA will ask the firm owner to electronically submit supplemental photographs (e.g., office space, equipment, etc.)

b.) Interstate Certification

i) If CCRTA has objections to an interstate DBE applicant’s eligibility, the DBE may respond in writing or request an in-person meeting with CCRTA’s decision-maker to discuss eligibility concerns.

If the DBE applicant requests a meeting, CCRTA may utilize a computer, tablet, and mobile device technologies such as FaceTime, GoToMeeting, and other similar telecommunication applications to conduct a meeting.

If the DBE applicant firm cannot participate in a virtual meeting, the 30-day period will pause on the date that CCRTA attempts to schedule the meeting. The 30-day period will not resume until an in-person meeting can be held without compromising social distancing and other public health measures.

c.) Decertification Hearings:

CCRTA may utilize a computer, tablet, and mobile device technologies, such as FaceTime, GoToMeeting, and other similar telecommunication applications to conduct an informal hearing.

d.) Summary Suspension

CCRTA will electronically notify a DBE of the decision to summarily suspend the DBE’s certification in lieu of notification by certified mail.

2. Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) partners may hold the quarterly meeting scheduled on April 17, 2020, via GoToMeeting.

3. It is advised that all DBE owners submit their annual updates online (to reduce the spread of germs, please do not drop off applications to the DBE office at this time.)

Click here for more information on the CCRTA’s response to COVID-19.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Information

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is a federal program managed by the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as outlined in 49 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 26 and Part 23 to recruit socially and/or economically disadvantaged firms in DOT sponsored projects. The objectives of the program are to:

• ensure non-discrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts;
• create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;
• ensure the DBE program is narrowly tailored under applicable law;
• ensure that only firms that fully meet the eligibility standards are permitted to participate as a DBE;
• help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts;
• promote the use of DBEs in all types of federally-assisted contracts and procurement activities conducted by recipients;
• assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program; and
• provide appropriate flexibility to recipients of Federal financial assistance in establishing and providing opportunities for DBEs.

Any transportation-related project, including aviation, highway, or public transportation, supported in whole or in part by federal funding, must include an opportunity for DBE participation.

Because the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) receives federal funding from the DOT, it must, in turn, utilize as much as possible of that funding with the DBEs (small, minority-owned, and/or woman-owned companies). Per 49 CFR Part 26.45, CCRTA has established a DBE program goal of 14% for the federal fiscal year 2023-2025; 2.42% race-neutral and 11.58% race-conscious participation. CCRTA intends to award at least 14% of its total DOT-assisted contracts with qualified DBE firms through race-neutral and race-conscious means.

CCRTA is a member of the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP), which certifies firms in the State of Texas. CCRTA certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBEs and ACDBEs) for participation in DOT contracting projects in compliance with 49 CFR Parts 26 23.  A business must first obtain DBE or ACDBE certification to participate in contracts with funding in whole or in part through FHWA, FTA, and FAA.

The following are the certifying agencies of the TUCP:

• City of Austin
• City of Houston
• Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA)
• North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA)
• South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA)
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

Please refer to the TUCP – Certifying Agency Region Map to determine the certifying agency to apply to.

TUCP- CERTIFYING AGENCY REGION MAP

Eligibility Requirements for DBE Certification:

To qualify as a DBE or an ACDBE, as required in 49 CFR Parts 26 or 23 respectively, the following criteria must be met:

Socially and Economically Disadvantaged

• The following groups are presumed by law to be socially and economically disadvantaged:
  • Women
  • Black Americans
  • Hispanic Americans
  • Native Americans
  • Asian-Pacific Americans
  • Subcontinent Asian Americans
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Personal net worth of individual claiming disadvantage must not exceed $1.32 million (excluding the value of his/her primary residence and value of the applicant firm)

Business Size

• A small business, as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA)
• The firm’s average annual gross receipts over the previous three fiscal years must not exceed $30.40 million for applicant seeking to participate in FTA and FTA-assisted contracts effective March 1, 2023.
  • The firm must still meet the size standard appropriate to the type of work the firm seeks to perform on DOT-assisted contracts.
  • Business size standards vary by industry according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code(s) defined by the SBA.
  • The $30.40 million business size standard does not apply to FAA-assisted projects. DBE firms participating in FAA-assisted projects must meet the size standard appropriate to the type of work, based solely on the applicable NAICS code size standard for that work. Unified Certification Program (UCP) directories must clearly indicate which firms are only eligible for counting on FAA-assisted work.

Ownership and Control

• At least 51% owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals
• Control and manage the daily business operations

Please refer to 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 26 – Subpart D Certification Standards for further information.

DBE Benefits

• Applicants need only apply once for DBE certification that will be honored by all recipients in the state. Reciprocity with other Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) members includes Texas Department of Transportation, City of Houston, North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, and South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency
• Registers your business with Texas Department of Transportation’s statewide DBE Directory
• DBE Certification enables qualified vendors to bid not only on CCRTA projects, but the opportunity to bid statewide for all DOT transportation modes, including Aviation, Highways, and Public Transportation.
• DBE Certification also provides your company with numerous other benefits such as contract information, referrals, technical assistance, and referrals to prime contractors.

Applying for a NEW DBE/ACDBE Certification:

Businesses interested in becoming DBE certified have two options to apply:

• ONLINE APPLICATION or go to: https://ccrta.gob2g.com (certification portal)

CCRTA has created a certification application portal that will allow your business to apply through a completely automated process

CCRTA recommends that business owners should gather the required information for certification before beginning the certification process. For required documents, please refer to:

DBE New Application Document Checklist

To start your certification application process:

DBE Certification Online Application

Please ensure your firm doesn’t have an existing account. You may begin by doing an Account Lookup after opening the certification portal based on your business name or your firm’s EIN. This search will show you any existing firm information, including any existing user accounts for your firm. If you have an existing account, you may log in and begin or continue your Certification application. If you encounter issues, you may use the resource links beside the Log in the area to get help.

• Hard Copy Application

Please complete the applications below in PDF (fillable) forms and submit/mail complete packet including ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to CCRTA- DBE Office at 602 N. Staple Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401.

Uniform Certification Application for DBE/ACDBE

Personal Net Worth Statement Form for DBE/ACDBE Program Eligibility

Maintaining Your DBE Certification:

DBE/ACDBE Certifications do not expire; however, DBE certified firms are required annually on their certification anniversary date to submit their Annual Update/Affidavit confirming that there has been no major change in the firm’s circumstances to maintain DBE/ACDBE certification. A copy of the firm’s most recent tax return, including its affiliates, must be submitted with the Annual Update.

There are two options to submit your Annual Update Form and Affidavit:

• ONLINE APPLICATION (Highly Recommended)
• Hard copy application – please complete the form below and mail or deliver the completed form and supporting documents to the CCRTA- DBE Office.

ACDBE-DBE Certification Annual Update Form and Affidavit

Applying for Certification Expansion Capability (additional work codes):

DBE certified firms applying for an expansion of businesses must submit their application ONLINE together with the following required documents:

• Resume of the owner(s), officers of the firm, and key personnel
• Copies of contracts, invoices, and purchase orders verifying the performance of the requested work codes
• Copies of the applicable license(s) of the requested work codes
• List of equipment owned/leased by firm used to perform the requested work codes
• And any other applicable documents supporting the requested work codes
• Completed and signed Expansion Form

DBE Expansion of Certification Capability Request form

Interstate DBE Certifications

For firms applying for an Interstate Certification, they must already be DBE certified in their home state. If not, your application will be returned. Interstate Certification may be submitted ONLINE (through CCRTA’s certification portal) or by mailing a complete application packet.  You must include a completed and notarized INTERSTATE CERTIFICATION AFFIDAVIT  in your application packet.

Additional documents to be uploaded electronically or mailed:

(1) A complete copy of the DBE Uniform application form, all supporting documents, and any other information you have submitted to State A (your home state) or any other state-related to your firm’s certification. This includes affidavits of no change (see §26.83(j)), updated tax documents, and any notices of changes (see §26.83(i)) that you have submitted to your home state, as well as any correspondence you have had with your home state’s UCP or any other recipient concerning your application or status as a DBE firm.

(2) You must also any notices or correspondence from states other than your home state relating to your status as an applicant or certified DBE in those states. For example, if you have been denied certification or decertified in another state or subject to a decertification action there, you must inform us of this fact and provide all documentation concerning this action.

(3)  If you have filed a certification appeal with DOT (see §26.89), you must inform CCRTA of the fact and provide your letter of appeal and DOT’s response to CCRTA.

Interstate Certification Affidavit

TUCP DBE Directory

The Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) Directory is a consolidated list of DBE/ACDBE firms that have been certified in the State of Texas. The TUCP DBE Directory is published to help contractors and consultants identify subcontractors and sub-consultants eligible to participate in federally funded contracts towards attaining DBE goals.  DBEs/ACDBEs may be searched by business name, description, commodity/work codes, or location.

DBE Directory

49 CFR Part 26 – DBE Program Regulations

49 CFR Part 23 – Airport Concessions DBE Program Regulation

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes

Contact Information

For certification applications or additional information about the DBE program certification process, please get in touch with the following: