Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
Op8.07 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
Missouri State University ensures that small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals have equal opportunity to participate on contracts and project work administered by Missouri State through the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.
In accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26, it is required that Missouri State, as a recipient of federal funds, administer a DBE Program. It is the policy of Missouri State to ensure that DBEs, as defined in Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. Specifically, Missouri State University's policy is:
- To ensure nondiscrimination on the basis of any protected class or status in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts;
- To create a level playing field on which DBE’s can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;
- To ensure that the DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
- To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBE’s;
- To help remove barriers to the participation of DBE’s in DOT-assisted contracts; and
- To assist in development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE Program.
Missouri State establishes annual DBE goals for federally funded construction projects. All projects receiving federal funds administered through Missouri State are subject to the rules of the Federal regulations and DBE Program guideline parameters.
(In cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the MRCC)