Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
Santa Barbara Airport is proud to participate in the State of California’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE). This program aims to promote certified local Disadvantaged Business Enterprises through awarding and administering government-funded contracts to small businesses in a fair manner.
Certification Eligibility
To be eligible for DBE Certification:
- Your business must be 51% owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s) as listed in 49CFR Part 26.67.
*Persons who are not members of one of the above groups and own and control their business may also be eligible if they establish their ‘social’ and economic’ disadvantage. More information on how social and economic disadvantages are determined can be found in Appendix E to 49 C.F.R. Part 26.
- The 51% majority owner(s) must not exceed a Personal Net Worth (PNW) of $2,047,000
- The 51% majority owner(s) must possess the required license or credential, if required by law to own and/or control a certain type of firm
- The business must be an independently owned business
- Depending on business activities, the business must not exceed $30,720,000 in average gross receipts over the previous three fiscal years
For more detailed information on eligibility, review 49 CFR Part 26.
Certification Resources
- The U.S. Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Website contains information on eligibility, applications, and online trainings.
- The Small Business Liaison for the Santa Barbara Region (CalTrans District 5) will be able to answer questions about California’s DBE Program.
- Golden State Apex Accelerator is a non-profit organization that offers no-cost DBE certification assistance for vendors in the Santa Barbara Region.
- The California DBE certification Website contains the application.
- Certifying agencies can be found here.