DBE Certifications in Vermont

Explore DBE Certification programs available in Vermont

The Vermont Agency of Transportation’s (VTrans) Office of Civil Rights strives to create equal opportunities for businesses to participate in state projects. The office ensures that all Federal and State guidelines are followed in regard to employment, contracting, and disadvantaged business participation on VTrans contracts and grants. To ensure nondiscrimination, disadvantaged businesses, which include small, minority, and woman-owned businesses, are given the chance to strengthen and grow through statewide, regional, and local programs.

Statewide Certification Programs

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

The Vermont Agency of Transportation’s (VTrans) DBE program was established with the financial help from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which is set up to follow the principles of the U.S. DOT, 49 CFR Part 26. The program is intended to increase socially and economically disadvantaged business participation in transportation contracts. To partake in federal aided contracts, DB must be certified with VTrans and at least 51% owned and controlled by someone who is socially or economically disadvantaged. 

For information on certification and application guidelines, visit https://vtrans.vermont.gov/civil-rights/doing-business/dbe-center/certification. In-state businesses can apply by submitting the application.

The Vermont Business Development Program (VBDP) offers several services that set DBEs up for growth and success. Participants have the opportunity to gain insight on how to improve their business and partake in networking events.

Vermont Agency of Transportation Small Business Program

The Small Business Program was established to increase small business participation in contract opportunities offered by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). By supporting small business participation, disadvantaged and other small businesses are given the best chance to partake in USDOT-assisted projects.

To qualify, your existing small business must meet the standards of both the Small Business Administration (SBA) and 49 CFR Part 26. All Vermont UCP certified DBEs are eligible to participate.

To visit the VTrans Small Business Application, click here.

Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program

The WOSB Federal Contracting Program creates many opportunities for participating businesses to be involved in federal contracts. To be eligible, your business must be a small business owned and controlled by a woman who is a U.S. citizen. 

For more information on eligibility or how to apply, visit the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program located on the U.S. Small Business Administration website.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has four third-party certifiers for woman-owned businesses to use:

  • Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
  • National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC)
  • U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC)
  • The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (EPHCC)

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 as well as 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.

National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC)

Along with certifying woman-owned businesses, the NWBOC has expanded to certifying veteran-owned businesses as well. The NWBOC awards certifications for the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSM), and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). Being certified opens the door to many more opportunities for businesses.

To learn more about the program, certification, or eligibility, visit http://nwboc.org/index.html.

Click here to access the NWBOC certification applications.

U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC)

The USWCC offers Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), National Women’s Business Enterprise (NWBE), and International Women’s Business Enterprise (IWBE) certifications, as well as many resources to set women up for success. 

To learn more about the USWCC certifications, visit https://staging2.uswcc.org/certification/.

The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (EPHCC)

The EPHCC offers Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certifications to businesses that are either minority or woman-owned.

Visit the EPHCC website for more information.

Local and Regional Programs

The City of Montpelier

The City of Montpelier’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program was established with financial help from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which is set up to follow the principles of the U.S. DOT, 49 CFR Part 26. The city has put regulations in place in an effort to increase chances of DOT-assisted contract opportunities for small and minority businesses. The program aims to eliminate discrimination and create equal opportunities in rewarding participation in contracts. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) is responsible for certifying DBEs.

Visit https://www.montpelier-vt.org/DocumentCenter/View/3677/DBE-Program?bidId= for more details.

The City of Burlington

The City of Burlington established an online registration program to support Minority and Woman-Owned Small Business and Section 3 Business involvement in purchasing and contracting opportunities. To get certified on the Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) registry, you will undergo a self-certification process. 

To qualify as a minority or woman-owned business, your small business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a woman or minority, and have a gross annual dollar volume that is accepted in the SBA guidelines. 

Visit https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/CEDO/MWBE-and-Section-3-Registry for registration resources and applications.

Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council MBE Program

Businesses owned by minorities in Vermont 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.