General

The Civil Rights Division (CIV) is responsible for the oversight of the Department’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) programs.
The DBE Program as authorized by
Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 26
ensures nondiscrimination in the award and administration of United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) contracts. The DBE Program is a legislatively mandated USDOT program that applies to Federal-aid highway dollars expended on federally-assisted contracts. The USDOT must approve the Department’s DBE Program and its annual goals to ensure compliance with all Program requirements. The Department’s
DBE policy
outlines the goals and mission for the program.
The DBE project goal applies to the final value of the original contract award. Any change orders that may increase or decrease the value of the contract will also be considered for the overall DBE goal. Refer to the Prime Contractors Compliance Guide and the applicable contract Special Provisions below:
  • Special Provision 000-394
    , "Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Federal-Aid Contracts" (for projects let February 2017 and using the 2014 Standard Specification)
  • Special Provision 000-022
    , "Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Federal-Aid Contracts" (for projects let using the 2024 Standard Specification)
The SBE Program as authorized by
43 TAC §9.300
and Special Provision 000-019 “Small Business Enterprise in State Funded Projects,” offers businesses another avenue to maximize their opportunities of doing business with TxDOT. The Program applies to highway construction and maintenance projects that are funded entirely by state or local funds.
Prompt Payment is included in the contract through Item 9, “Measurement and Payment”, of the Standard Specifications and covered in Chapter 11 – Section 3 of this manual.