Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
GoTriangle has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE) in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. Jamila Ormond, Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, has been designated as GoTriangle’s DBE Liaison Officer (DBELO).
DBE Certification
Businesses interested in becoming certified as DBEs must complete and submit an application through the N.C. Unified Certification Program (NCUCP) to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Upon approval, GoTriangle can use these companies to meet the DBE goals for federally funded contracts.
DBE Interim Final Rule (IFR)
On October 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Airport Concessions Program Implementation Modifications Interim Final Rule. The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is working with federal partners on guidance about the IRF, to keep the DBEs and other stakeholders informed of the latest information. The Interim Final Rule requires that NCDOT reevaluate each DBE to determine if the business is eligible to be recertified as a DBE.
The IFR means:
- All currently certified DBEs must undergo reevaluation.
- Business owners must demonstrate evidence of individualized social and economic disadvantage, regardless of race and gender, to qualify as a disadvantaged business enterprise or Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.
- The use of contract DBE goals or counting work performed by DBEs toward overall goals is suspended until each state can complete reevaluations of the DBEs.
- Contracts with DBE goals awarded and executed before Oct. 3 are valid, but DBE participation cannot be counted until recertification is complete.
The DBE Interim Final Rule is a proposed rule. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is under administrative review by USDOT. The program could change.
For more information regarding GoTriangle’s DBE Program, contact
Jamila Ormond
GoTriangle
Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance
4600 Emperor Blvd., Durham, NC 27703
Phone: (919) 485-7518
Email: dbe@gotriangle.org