The short answer is yes. While both certification types are designed to assist women and minority-owned business, the DBE program has a much narrower scope of the businesses it is intended to serve. Firms must be granted certification by and through the DelDOT DBE program in order to obtain DBE participation credit on any DelDOT federally-assisted transportation project. There are no substitute certifications or exceptions to this rule.

Which certification is best for my firm?

The Federal DBE program is designed to increase the participation of underutilized women and minority-owned businesses within the transportation industry. Common DBE participants include civil, structural, and environmental engineers; archaeologists; surveyors; asphalt, concrete, road, and bridge contractors; maintenance of traffic firms; trucking firms; and suppliers of construction materials. If you are an eligible DBE, and your firm is a contractor, consultant, construction material supplier, or provides other services used on a typical road or bridge project, it would be of your benefit to apply.

The State M/WBE Program is designed to provide visibility and educational and business support to women and minority-owned businesses of all categories wishing to compete for state funded and other contracts. Businesses of all types are common participants in this program.

Certification by either of these groups cannot guarantee instant participation in government-funded contracts. Ultimately, the success of a business depends on the circumstances controlled by the managing owner.

Where can I find more information?

This document gives side-by-side examples of the differences between the state M/WBE and the federal DelDOT DBE Program.

More information about the Delaware M/WBE Program can be found on the OMWBE website.