DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM (DBE)

DBE Program Manual and Goal(s)

Welcome to the City of Victorville’s (hereinafter referred to as “City”) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program site. This site has been developed with the objective providing assistance and outreach to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) that want to work on City contracts.

The City receives Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) federal-aid from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and as a condition of receiving such assistance has signed an Implementation Agreement to implement Caltrans’ Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Plan in accordance with federal regulations published under Title 49 CFR, Part 26, Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) and subsequent Guidance.

A link to Caltran’s DBE Program Plan has been provided below:

California Department of Transportation DBE Program Plan

A link to Caltran’s LAPM has been provided below:

Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM)

The City's establishes DBE goals on a contract-by-contract basis, in the "Notice Inviting Bids/Proposals" for each Federally-funded project. To be eligible to count towards the DBE goal, DBE subcontractors must be certified with the State of California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) at the time of bid/proposal submission.

California Unified Certification Program (CUCP)

To obtain information about the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP), please click here. This website will explain what this program is about and how it can assist you with the DBE certification process.

Disadvantaged Business Outreach Events and Resources

The City currently attends and will continue to attend local Small Business and DBE outreach events to connect with interested firms and provide them instrumental insight to working with the City and growing their business.

Office of Business & Economic Opportunity

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Office of Business & Economic Opportunity (OBEO) is dedicated to increasing the participation of Small Business, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise firms in both Federal and State contracting and procurement. To access their multitude of resources, click here.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

To develop and improve immediate and long-term business management, record keeping, and financial and accounting capability, the City encourages DBEs and other small businesses to visit the Small Business Administration’s resources webpage, specifically tailored to be responsive to small business needs.

The Southwest Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC)

The Southwest SBTRC serves the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada. It is their mission to grow and empower small business concerns throughout the region through Access, Education, and Opportunity. Through its programs and services, Southwest SBTRC provides local businesses with the resources and tools necessary for success and connects them to opportunities to grow their business.

The Southwest SBTRC provides an array of technical assistance to build the capacity of small and disadvantaged businesses that include:

• Business Analyses
• Market Research and Procurement Assistance
• General Management & Technical Assistance
• Business Counseling & Coaching
• Regional Planning Committees
• Liaison between Prime Contractors and Sub-Contractors
• Outreach/Conference Participation
• Capital Access and Surety Bond Assistance
• Women & Girls In Transportation Initiative (WITI)

To access more information, please visit Southwest SBTRC’s website.

Disadvantaged Business Bonding Assistance

The City recognizes that a firm’s ability to obtain performance and payment bonds can pose a significant barrier to their ability to win public sector contracts and for those firms that are able to obtain bonds, being able to bond adequately may also often pose a barrier to working on public contracts.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Bonding Education Program is valuable resource available to you. The Bonding Education Program’s mission is to increase small businesses’ economic competitiveness to maximize opportunities by becoming surety bonded and compete for transportation-related contracts through education and resources to understand risk management, safety, workforce development and company capabilities.

This initiative provides a viable means to advance the unimpeded participation of all willing, ready, and able construction contractors and subcontractors, professional architectural and engineering firms, suppliers and truckers, without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or physical disability to participate in transportation-related contracts.

For more information, please visit their website.

U.S. Small Business Administration

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

You may also contact or visit your nearest SBA office listed below:

Victorville Office
15490 Civic Dr, Victorville, CA 92392
Phone: (760) 951-159