Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

Firms certified prior to October 3rd, 2025, who are not recertified, will need to complete their Annual Declaration of Eligibility (DOE) with the original UCP Certifying Agency. Certification Teams will reach out to firms 1 month prior to the anniversary of their original certification month.

Documents required for Declaration of Eligibility (DOE):

• Personal Narrative - Instructions
• Declaration of Eligibility form
• A current Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement - form
• Prior year Federal Business Taxes

A firm that fails to submit its Declaration of Eligibility will be decertified meeting the burden of proof per 49 CFR Part 26.87 and flagged as ineligible to reapply for DBE Certification for up to 6 months after the decertification date.

1. Sign up for a MyWisconsin ID
2. Log into the WisDOT Vendor Registration System (VRS) using your MyWisconsin ID and password to access your account profile.
3. On the Vendor Lookup window under the search results, click to register a new vendor with WisDOT. The Vendor Profile window will appear.
   • On the Vendor Profile window enter all the required fields using the Vendor Profile data entry guidance for guidance.
   • Enter your firm’s name, Federal Employer ID, firm established date, business phone, business email, and website on the left side of the window.
   • On the right side, select the business structure, business type, and work classification(s) from the drop-down lists. All vendors MUST select a primary work classification which is displayed in AASHTOWare Project on the Vendor record.
   • Enter the business address on the bottom portion of the window.
4. If applying for DBE certification, complete these steps:
   • Check the "Applying for DBE Certification" checkbox.
   • Select the “WisDOT” as your Certifying Agency from the drop-down list.
   • At the completion of the new vendor registration process, certification with WisDOT’s DBE Team will begin, and they will be notified via email that a new DBE certification request was received. Go to the DBE application & Eligibility requirements page for more details.
     **** Note: The Vendor Admin User is responsible for keeping call company information up to date****
5. Click < Next > to continue with registration on the Officers window
   • On the Officers window, enter all the required officers and their required information using the Vendor Officer data entry guidance for guidance.
   • Select a title for Vendor Admin User and enter this individual's phone number.
   • Enter a first name, last name, email, and phone number for each required officer (President, Vice President, Payroll Contact, Bid Contact, Secretary, Treasurer, and Annual Affidavit Contact (if WisDOT DBE selected).
     Note: This can be the same individual
6. Click to submit the vendor registration application to WisDOT for review.
7. The Success pop up window will appear. The Vendor ID will be listed on this window and on the email that will be sent to the Vendor Admin User shortly. Email AWPSupport@dot.wi.gov with any questions.
8. The Vendor Admin User will also receive an email that the registration is pending approval. WisDOT will review this request within two business days.
9. If the vendor indicated that they are applying for DBE certification, an email will be generated to the DBE Support team.

For all questions regarding your VRS Access please email DOT DTSD AWP Support AWPSupport@dot.wi.gov. For questions regarding your DBE Certification, please email the Certification Team at dbe_alert@dot.wi.gov

Per 49 CFR Part 26 of the Electronic Code of Federal regulations, a DBE is a for-profit small business concern that is:

1. At least 51 percent owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged. In the case of a corporation, in which 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals; and,
2. Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own the business.
3. The Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Owner (SEDO) is no longer certified using race- or sex- based presumptions of social and economic disadvantage. All applicants must provide a Personal Narrative that establishes the existence of social and economic disadvantages, on an individual, case-by-case basis.

A firm seeking certification must meet requirements concerning group membership or individual disadvantage, business size*, ownership and control. The Small Business Administration (SBA) – provides size caps for specialized areas of work.

• Only a parent company can be DBE certified, not a “grandparent company"
• Business is independently viable.
• Majority owner must “Run the Show" which means the majority owner:
  • Make decisions without consent of non-disadvantaged individuals.
  • Holds highest position.
  • Maintains current control over the Board of Directors.
  • Understands the business operations.
  • Independently makes major decisions.
  • Demonstrates chain of command within company.

Important Note:
A DBE firm must have business operations in the type of business it seeks to perform at time of the certification application

Submit a completed Uniform Certification Program (UCP) application packet and required supporting documentation to the nearest certifying agency and participate in either an on-site interview or a recorded virtual onsite interview by the certifying agency.
Note: A complete application includes the required documentation as listed in the Supporting Documentation Checklist on page 15 of the application form.

UCP DBE Application Packet

• Personal Narrative (Required) - Instructions
• Unified Certification Application Form
  • (Includes Instruction, Application Form, Declaration of Eligibility and Supporting Documents checklist)
  • Uniform Certification Supporting Documents checklist
• Personal Net Worth Statement Form
  • (Includes Instruction, Personal Net Worth Statement Form)
  • PNW limit is increased to $2.047 million.
  • Excludes retirement assets
  • Removes state marital and community property rules from calculations.
• Requested work/Geographic area summary form (DT2188)
• Schedule of owned/leased vehicles (Trucking Firms)

To obtain certification, the DBE must:

• A cover letter that specifies that the DBE is applying for interstate certification, identifies all UCPs in which the DBE is certified (including the UCP that originally certified it)
• An electronic image of the UCP directory of the original UCP that shows the DBE certification and
• A new Declaration of Eligibility form.

Determination within ten days.