DBE Program

The business must be 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s):

• Socially Disadvantaged: United States citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident who can demonstrate, via a detailed personal narrative, specific acts or omissions by others, which impeded their progress or success in education, employment, and/or business.
• Economically Disadvantaged: Firms are subject to applicable small business size standards
  • An individual(s) claiming social and economic disadvantaged personal net worth cannot exceed $2.047 million

A “Small Business Concern” is an existing small business that is subject to applicable small business size standards, as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA). To be an eligible DBE:

• The firm’s 3-year average annual gross receipts (including affiliates) cannot exceed $31.84 million
• The firm cannot exceed the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes based on the firm’s primary activity using the firm’s 5-year average annual gross receipt (as of January 13, 2021)

• RESUME: Detailed resumes for each of the principal owners and managers of the firm
• PERSONAL NET WORTH STATEMENT: Signed and notarized Personal Net Worth statement for socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s) applying for DBE certification
• PERSONAL FEDERAL TAX RETURNS: Signed and dated federal tax returns for the last 3 years including all schedules and attachments
• PERSONAL NARRATIVE: A detailed description of specific situations an individual has experienced in American society that have negatively impacted their entry or advancement in employment, education, and/or business.
• CORPORATE FEDERAL TAX RETURNS: Signed and dated federal tax returns for the last 5 years, if applicable, including all schedules and attachments
  • Tax returns should also be included for any other firms the socially and disadvantaged owner(s) has ownership in
• DOCUMENTED PROOF OF CONTRIBUTION: Cancelled check, loan to the company with owner’s assets as collateral, proof of purchase of equipment from the owner(s) personal funds
• SIGNED LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT: If applicable, any loan agreement or security agreements in the company name
• LIST OF EQUIPMENT AND/OR VEHICLES OWNED AND LEASED: List of all equipment owned and leased by the company
• TITLE(S), REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE(S) AND U.S. DOT NUMBERS FOR EACH TRUCK: Titles and/or registration of vehicles owned by the company
  • Trucking companies are required to submit the U.S. DOT number for each truck owned and operated
• LICENSES, LICENSE RENEWAL FORMS, PERMITS AND HAULING AUTHORITY FORMS: Professional License, Business License, Certificate Permits, and Hauling Authority Forms
• DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL REAL ESTATE OWNED AND/OR LEASED BY FIRM: Signed lease agreement between lessor and lessee including the term of lease and dollar amount for the space
  • If home is being used to operate the business, provide copy of tax bill or deed
• DOCUMENTED PROOF OF TRANSFER OF ASSETS TO/FROM FIRM AND OR OWNERS OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS: Agreement reflecting the transfer along with proof of payment and documentation reflecting the sale of the assets
  • If stock has been sold, provide updated stock ledger and stock certificates
• SCHEDULE OF SALARIES: Copies of W-2 forms for the last 3 years of all officers, managers, owners, and directors of the firm
• LIST OF ALL EMPLOYEES, JOB TITLES AND DATES OF EMPLOYMENT: List of all employees with respective titles and date of employment
• PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: Copy of employee’s birth certificate, passport, and residency card
• AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS: Last 3 years of income statement and balance sheet
• TRUSTED AGREEMENTS HELD BY ANY OWNER CLAIMING DISADVANTAGED STATUS: Copy of trust agreement created by disadvantaged owner(s) including a schedule of all attachments contained within the trust
• LIST OF PRODUCT LINES CARRIED AND LIST OF DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT OWNED AND/OR LEASED: If applicable, supplier and/or manufacturers should provide a brochure or catalog reflecting the products produced by the business or sold by the business along with lease for the facilities where produced are produced or sold

1. Apply online at https://cta.dbesystem.com
2. Complete both the vendor application and DBE application
3. Upload the supporting documents into the system
4. Lookout for updates (Process is 90 days in which the file is reviewed, and a site visit is conducted. During this time if additional information is needed the firm will be contacted. The review process cannot begin until all documents have been received.)
5. Await CTA’s decision via email

• The firm DBE Certification will be recognized by PACE, METRA, IDOT and the City of Chicago
• The firm will be listed in the Illinois Unified Certification Program (IL UCP) Directory
  • Allows for prime contractors to search for DBE firms
  • Displays all firms currently certified including NAICS codes, specialties, and IDOT’s district(s) in which the firms have indicated they are available for work
• Individuals should
  • Attend outreach and network events to inform contractors about business and DBE certification
  • Apply for expansion of NAICS codes, CTA’s SBE Program, and DBE Certification in another state
  • Register as a vendor with other IL UCP agencies and state/local government entities