DBE Application “Tripwires”
Have you ever heard of DBE and DMWBD?
DBE stands for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. The DBE program is designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally-assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracting markets nationwide. The primary remedial goal and objective of the DBE program is to level the playing field by providing small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.
DMWBD is the abbreviation of the Department of Minority and Women's Business Development.
The mission of DMWBD program is to promote equality of economic opportunities and to eliminate barriers to participation in state contracts. It supplements New York State's economic leadership with information and resources that increase access to information and opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses throughout the State.
However, firms seeking DBE/MWBE certification often make the same errors or omissions on their applications. These can delay the processing of an application or even lead certifiers to deny an application. Firms must then engage in the sometimes lengthy, time-consuming process of filing an appeal. The following “tripwires” are easily avoidable:
1. Not including all applicable required documents listed on the application checklist. The follow-up requests from a certifier to an applicant to obtain the missing document(s) delays the application process. Delayed application = potential lost contracts! Lost contracts = lost opportunity!
2. Including unsigned documents with your application, such as tax returns and stock certificates, with-out explanation.
3. Leaving blank spaces on the DBE application without explanation. e.g. not listing firm officers and their titles.
4. No proof of spousal renunciation when joint marital assets are used to start a firm and both spouses are not presumed socially and economically disadvantaged.
5. Providing unclear titles for the firm’s officers that result in confusion about each officer’s duties.
DMWBD is the abbreviation of the Department of Minority and Women's Business Development.
The mission of DMWBD program is to promote equality of economic opportunities and to eliminate barriers to participation in state contracts. It supplements New York State's economic leadership with information and resources that increase access to information and opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses throughout the State.
However, firms seeking DBE/MWBE certification often make the same errors or omissions on their applications. These can delay the processing of an application or even lead certifiers to deny an application. Firms must then engage in the sometimes lengthy, time-consuming process of filing an appeal. The following “tripwires” are easily avoidable:
1. Not including all applicable required documents listed on the application checklist. The follow-up requests from a certifier to an applicant to obtain the missing document(s) delays the application process. Delayed application = potential lost contracts! Lost contracts = lost opportunity!
2. Including unsigned documents with your application, such as tax returns and stock certificates, with-out explanation.
3. Leaving blank spaces on the DBE application without explanation. e.g. not listing firm officers and their titles.
4. No proof of spousal renunciation when joint marital assets are used to start a firm and both spouses are not presumed socially and economically disadvantaged.
5. Providing unclear titles for the firm’s officers that result in confusion about each officer’s duties.
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