Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

The City of Austin’s Small and Minority Business Resources (SMBR) Department is a member of the Texas United Certification Program (TUCP).

As a TUCP member, SMBR reviews applications and certifies qualifying small businesses that are owned, managed, and controlled by both socially and economically disadvantaged individuals as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and/or Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBEs) in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR Part 26 and Part 23).

DBEs and ACDBEs are qualified for participation in federally-funded Department of Transportation airport, highway, and public transit contracting projects across the State of Texas.

Notice to All DBE and ACDBE Firms

Effective September 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that immediately changes how the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs operate nationwide.

What This Means

All DBE and ACDBE certifications will be reevaluated under new federal eligibility standards.
The rule removes race- and gender-based presumptions from certification.
All business owners must now individually demonstrate social and economic disadvantage through a personal narrative and financial documentation.
Until reevaluations are complete, existing DBE and ACDBE certifications cannot be used for contracting goals or participation credit on federally funded projects.

Next Steps for DBE and ACDBE Firms

You will be contacted by your certifying agency with instructions on how to complete recertification under the new standards.
Be prepared to provide:
- A personal narrative describing barriers faced in education, employment, or business; and
- A new Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement and supporting financial information.
Please do not submit new certification applications or changes to existing certifications until further guidance is issued.

General Eligibility Requirements

Fifty-one percent owned, managed and controlled by an economically and socially disadvantaged individual (see presumed groups below):
- Asian-American,
- African-American,
- Native American,
- Hispanic or
- Women
Must be a small business as defined by the US Small Business Administration (SBA).
Personal Net Worth limit of $1,320,000 for owner(s).
Firm must be organized as a for-profit business.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) or Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Certification Application

Search the NAICS to find the codes for goods and services your company will offer and add them to the attached form.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Annual Update

ACDBE/DBE Annual No Change Affidavit

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Interstate Certification Procedures and Affidavit 49 CFR Part § 26.85 (c) for Interstate applicants who wish to do business in the State of Texas

Applicants must provide a complete copy of your application form, all supporting documents, and any other information relevant to your firm’s certification that you submitted to your home state.

This includesAffidavits of No Change and any notices of changes submitted to your home state, as well as any correspondence you have had with your home state's Unified Certification Program (UCP) or any other recipient concerning your application or status as a DBE firm.

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DBE/ACDBE Reports

Part 26 – Federally-funded transportation, aviation, and highways

Part 23 – Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE)