DBE Certifications in Maine

Explore DBE Certification programs available in Maine

In efforts to maximize opportunity for small, minority-run businesses, Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) has established the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. This program was established due to the funding of the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. Maine DOT validates all DBEs in the state of Maine following regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Part 26.

    Statewide Certification Programs

    Maine Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

    The DBE program has been designed to acknowledge and avoid discrimination against disadvantaged businesses in federally assisted contracts, specifically local businesses owned by women and minorities.

    The Maine DBE Supportive Services is an Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) program which offers tailored support to get companies ready to sell to Maine DOT. This assistance allows for equal chances in USDOT-assisted contracts and aims to diminish any divide of opportunity between businesses.

    To see if you are eligible to become a certified Maine DBE, please visit https://www.mainedbe.com/become-certified/.

    For more information on how to apply as a DBE, locate the “DBE Application Information” dropdown link on https://www1.maine.gov/mdot/civilrights/dbe/. Here you will see application forms as well as instructions for applying as a Maine DOT in-state or out-of-state DBE.

    Maine’s Unified Certification Program (UCP)

    Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) is required to report information on its participating DBE firms to the US DOT Departmental Office of Civil Rights. To do so, Maine DOT gathers percentages of firms run by white women, minorities or other men, and minority women with the help of the statewide DBE directory.

    Local and Regional Programs

    Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE)

    The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a nonprofit organization founded with the goal of helping female entrepreneurs and business owners establish and expand their business. To do so, the organization offers its assistance and access to numerous materials. As an affiliate of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), CWE has expanded to North Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

    CWE also runs the Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE) which was created with the goal of helping veterans, service members, and their family members establish and expand their business. Similar to CWE, VBOC of NE serves those in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. To get started with VBOC, you must register and complete this form.

    To learn more about the Center for Women & Enterprise, click here.

    Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council MBE Program

    Businesses owned by minorities in Maine can receive a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification from the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC). By certifying through this program, businesses can utilize exclusive resources and events, increase exposure to business opportunities, and access government and public contracts. To qualify, businesses must be: for profit, U.S. citizens and physically located in the U.S. or its trust territories, at least 51% minority-owned operated and controlled. To apply, click here.