Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) information

Welcome to the WMATA DBE Program

Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26, it is the policy of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority that disadvantaged business enterprises (businesses owned by women and minorities) as defined by U.S. Department of Transportation regulation (49 CFR Part 26) shall have a fair opportunity to compete for and participate on WMATA contracts and subcontracts.

DBE Program Overview

Information regarding the DBE Program (as well as the DBE program obligations of WMATA bidders may be found at "Appendix B" of any WMATA solicitation.

WMATA assigns DBE participation goals on a contract-by-contract basis on federally funded construction contracts having a total dollar value greater than $500,000 and on non-construction procurements (i.e., contracts for services, supplies and equipment) having a total value greater than $100,000. Due to a concept called "narrow tailoring," not all contracts will have a DBE goal assigned.

The goal may be satisfied by utilizing one or more DBE’s as joint venture partners, subcontractors or suppliers of goods and services of any kind or nature, provided that the DBE performs the tasks awarded when the contract was executed. DBE firms may also participate as prime contractors.

DBE certification

Only the participation of minority and women-owned firms that have been certified by WMATA's Office of Community Relations as DBE’s can be counted towards satisfaction of the goal. If you are a small, minority or woman-owned business, you are especially encouraged to participate in our business opportunities. The Office of Community Relations publishes an online DBE Directory, which provides information regarding available DBE’s in all or nearly all construction trades, as well as providers of all types of goods and services. The Directory's database is continuously supplemented and updated.
Bidders experiencing difficulty locating certified DBE participants are encouraged to contact the Office of Community Relations for assistance (see contact information below).

DBE application for certification

Please review all documents for completeness before submission. The primary cause of delayed certification is lack of documentation supporting the certification submitted. Please use the check off list provided and check off all necessary documents prior to submission.

1. Application
2. Check off list
3. Additional forms and information that prospective DBE vendors should gather before you begin the registration process.

The Bidders Registration Directory feature is currently unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The UCP Certified DBE Vendor Directory

The Metropolitan Washington Unified Certification Program (MWUCP) has been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration for implementation. This was done to create efficiencies and streamline the certification process. A UCP has been formed between the District of Columbia, Department of Transportation (ddot) and The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The database is searchable by NAICS Code.

Current and comprehensive list of all certified vendors.

MWUCP standard operating procedures

Public notice regarding DBE goals

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) hereby provides notification of its proposed goal for obtaining participation by certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms in U.S. Department of Transportation financially-assisted contracts.  The proposed DBE goal for Federal Fiscal Year 2007, which begins October 1, 2007 and ends September 30, 2008, is 25%.

Solicitations and awards

The Vendor Database feature is currently unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Office of Community Relations, DBE Branch contact information:

Mail Applications to:
WMATA – DBE
600 Fifth Street, NW
8D-09
Washington, DC 20001

Resources and events for small, local, and disadvantaged businesses