• DBE Basics
• The DBE Application
• Working as a Subcontractor
• Working as a Consultant
• Wages
• DBE Goal
• Supportive Services
• Prime Contractors' Requirements
• DBE Certification Recognition and Reciprocity
• Personal Net Worth (PNW)
• Becoming a Qualified Bidder

DBE Basics

• What does DBE stand for?
  Disadvantage Business Enterprise
• What is the DBE Program?
  The DBE Program is primarily funded by the United States Department of Transportation and administered by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, NHDOT to:
  1. Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of Federally assisted contracts
  2. Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete for Federally assisted contracts
  3. Help remove barriers that affect participation of DBEs in Federally assisted contracts; and
  4. Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE Program
• What are the benefits of becoming a DBE?
  1. Companies will be listed in the State DBE Directory that is distributed among Prime Contractors and Consultants throughout the New England area. This Directory is also placed in the proposal forms of all advertised Federally assisted projects.
  2. DBEs may participate in a variety of supportive services including but not limited to, training, technical assistance, tuition reimbursement, and access to information regarding upcoming projects and business opportunities with the NHDOT.
  3. Information regarding DBEs' products and services.
• What are the requirements to become a DBE?
  1. The owner must be a member of a socially and economically disadvantaged group. This means owners who are citizens of the United States, or who are lawfully admitted permanent residents, and are: Black, Hispanic, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Islanders, Subcontinent Asians, or women regardless of race.
  2. The business must be owned, at least 51%, by one or more individuals who are considered members of a socially and economically disadvantaged group.
  3. The owner must control the company's management and daily operations.
  4. An owner's personal net worth cannot exceed $750,000 (excluding ownership interest in the firm and the equity in his/her primary residence).
  5. The company must meet the Small Business Administration's Size Standard requirements.
• What is the process to become a DBE?
  1. Submit a DBE Application and all required documentation.
  2. Upon review of the application and required documentation, the NHDOT will arrange an "on-site evaluation" of the company.
  3. If the application is approved, the company will be certified by the NHDOT and classified according to its products and services.

The DBE Application

• How can I obtain a DBE Application?
  The DBE Application can be obtained by:
  1. Downloading the DBE Application
  2. Calling the DBE Coordinator, Jay Ankenbrock at (603) 271-6612
• Is there any cost to apply?
  There is no cost to apply.
• How long does it take to become a DBE?
  The average processing time is one month after the application and required documentation are received.
• How long is the DBE certification valid for?
  One year.
• How do I recertify?
  Approximately 60 days prior to the certification expiration date, the NHDOT will mail a request for recertification that includes a "Non Change Affidavit" and "Personal Net Worth Statement" to verify the company's eligibility status. This information must be mailed to the NHDOT before the date indicated in the letter.
• What recourse does my company have if the certification is denied?
  If your company is denied you may appeal to:

  US Department of Transportation
  Office of Civil Rights
  Certification Appeals Branch
  400 7th St., SW, Room 2104
  Washington, DC 20590

• How do I begin doing business with the NHDOT?
  Please refer to the DBE guide.

Working As a Subcontractor

• How can I find information related to upcoming NHDOT projects?
  1. By mail. The NHDOT sends the upcoming projects to companies that have subscribed for this service. There is a $25 annually fee. This information is the most detailed and is not available on the Internet. Please contact (603) 271-3402 for more details.
  2. By e-mail. The DBE Supportive Services Consultant e-mails the upcoming project information. However, this information does not provide as much detail as that provided by the NHDOT Contract Office by mail.
• How can I find the Prime Contractors that are interested in a specific project?
  The DBE Supportive Services Consultant e-mails twice a week the projects open to bid and the Prime Contractors and Subcontractors that have taken out Plans and Specifications for bidding purposes; or by calling the Bureau of Finance and Contracts at (603) 271-3402.
• How can I submit my quote to work as a subcontractor?
  All the quotes must be submitted directly to the Prime Contractors.
• Can I bid for Federally assisted projects as a Prime Contractor?
  Yes, but you have to become a prequalified bidder (see question below).
• Is there any type of work that requires licensing?
  All painting contractors and painting subcontractors to be used for painting structural steel bridges shall establish proof of competency and responsibility by being registered and certified in accordance with the requirements of the Painting Contractor Certification Program (PCCP) of the Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) of Pittsburgh, PA (contact Michael Damiano at tel. (412) 281-2331 ext. 113).
• Does my company have to be bonded in order to submit a quote?
  If you are going to work as a subcontractor you are not required to be bonded. If you are going to bid for a project as a Prime Contractor you must show proof of bonding to become prequalified.

Working as a Consultant

• How can I find information related to upcoming NHDOT projects?
  1. Submitting the SF-330 Form to the Consultant Selection Committee. Upon submission, the NHDOT will mail you a list of the upcoming projects with consulting services required. The SF-330 must be updated every 18 months.
  2. Once every two weeks, the DBE Supportive Services Consultant e-mails a list of upcoming projects within the NHDOT along with a list of the firms that have sent letters of interest for project(s).
• What types of contracts are selected by a low bid procedure?
  Although consulting contracts are usually qualifications based, there are several services that are selected by low bid procedure:
  • Right-of-Way: Title Abstracting Services; Property Management Services; and Fee Appraisal Services
  • Materials and Research: Geotechnical Exploration Services; Bridge Deck Condition Services; Materials Testing Services; and Barrier Membrane Testing Services.
  • Environment: Cultural Resources Services; Wetland Services; and Air Quality and Noise Assessment Services.
  • Bridge Design: Structural Steel Inspection and Underwater Inspection Services.

Wages

• Is minimum wage applicable to Federally assisted projects?
  For Federally funded projects minimum wage rates must be paid in accordance with the Davis Bacon Act. State funded projects require the contractor to pay the national minimum wage. This is also applicable when working as a subcontractor. For further information contact the Labor Compliance Officer at (603) 271-7424.

DBE Goal

• How is the DBE goal determined?
  NHDOT will calculate the overall goal using the criteria based in 49 CFR 26.45. In determining the DBE goal the NHDOT identifies all subcontractors (DBE and non-DBE) that provided bids or quotes to active prime contractors pursuant to any advertised Federal-aid project.

  NHDOT further determined the number of all businesses (Prime Contractors and Subcontractors) that have bid or quoted on Federally-assisted contracts. The figure resulting from dividing the number of DBEs and the total amount of businesses provides the base figure. This base figure is adjusted according to different criteria included but not limited to: current capacity to perform work, distribution of Federal amount among DBEs, and subcontracting opportunities in upcoming projects.

• If a DBE is working as a Prime Contractor, does it work account toward the goal?
  Yes. The work performed by a DBE working as a Prime Contractor will be accounted toward the goal.

Supportive Services

• What type of Supportive Services Program are provided by the DBE Program?
  DBE Supportive Services include, but are not limited to:
  • Maintaining liaison with community-based organizations, construction associations and other assistance programs throughout the state to present the NHDOT DBE Program.
  • Assisting prospective DBEs in their certification process.
  • Developing and maintain information regarding upcoming projects within the NHDOT for public dissemination.
  • Maintaining notification of future contracting and consulting opportunities in NHDOT projects.
  • Counseling DBEs on specific training and workshops available through the Supportive Services Program and elsewhere.
  • Developing strategies for assisting DBE firms in order to be competitive in transportation related contracting and/or consulting projects.
  • Developing working relationships with prime contractors and consultants and offer assistance by recommending DBEs for subcontract work.
  • Notifying DBEs about pertinent areas of work available and inform them of the prime contractors who have taken out Samples of Proposal and who will likely bid on the job.

Prime Contractors' Requirements

• Are Prime Contractors required to reach a specific DBE Goal for each project?
  Prime Contractors are not required to reach a certain level of DBE participation for each project, unless specified in the contract.

DBE Certification Recognition and Reciprocity

• What agencies recognize the DBE Certification besides the Department of Transportation?
  The DBE certification is recognized by all Federal and State agencies.
• Can I do business in other States as a DBE with the certification from NH?
  No. A certification is only valid for the state the certification was issued in.
• How can I obtain the certification from other states?
  Once you have obtained the certification from you home state, you must contact the DBE Liaison Officer from the state you want to obtain the certification from. They will inform you of the documents required to submit in order to obtain the certification.
• My firm is a SBA 8(a) certified. Do I need to go through the DBE certification process?
  Yes, although the process is abbreviated you are required to submit additional information for verification.
• My firm is certified in another state as a DBE, do I have to go through the DBE certification process again?
  No. Usually the certification letter from your home state, copy of your tax return, and copy of your Personal Net Worth Statement will be enough to certify. Requirements may vary depending on the State.

Personal Net Worth (PNW)

• Why do I have to disclose my PNW?
  Your PNW statement will allow us to verify your status as an economically disadvantaged firm. This information is confidential.
• Do I have to claim the ownership interest in my company in the PNW statement for the DBE certification?
  No.
• Do I have to claim my primary residence on the PNW statement for the DBE certification?
  No.
• What percentage do I have to claim in the PNW statement for assets that are owned by somebody else besides me?
  You must only claim the percentage(s) owned by the disadvantaged applicant(s).

Become a Qualified Bidder

• How can my company become a qualified bidder for construction contracts?
  To be eligible to bid for projects within the NHDOT you must complete the Contractor Prequalification Package and submiting the appropriate documentation.