What Is The DBE/SBE Program?
The RTD Small Business Opportunity Office's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Small Business Enterprise (DBE/SBE) Program creates a level playing field, removing barriers and assisting in the development of businesses like yours. We are focused on building a stronger Colorado economy by certifying firms, ensuring compliance of goals set, and providing training so DBE/SBEs can grow and thrive in this competitive industry. The Small Business Opportunity Office is part of RTD's Civil Rights Division.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
- Established to accommodate historically under-utilized businesses
- Goals set for federally funded projects with subcontracting potential
- Certification granted through the State of Colorado
Find DBE firms and see if your firm is certified
Small Business Enterprise
- Established to accommodate small businesses in a race-neutral and gender-neutral framework
- Goals set for locally funded projects with subcontracting potential
- Certification granted through RTD
- Eligible firms are classified by personal net worth and average gross receipts
DBE/SBE Certification
When competing for contracts, an SBE certificate accompanied with a DBE certificate is key to gaining a competitive edge. Firms should seek certification for all programs they qualify for, as individual contracting opportunities may have established goals for SBEs, DBEs or both.
RTD only certifies firms as SBEs. First, you need to Become Certified.
For DBE Certification, please visit the City and County of Denver or Colorado Department of Transportation's websites.
For the City & County of Denver:
For the CO Department of Transportation (CDOT):
Once you have been certified, check our current solicitations for business opportunities and get on our bidders list.
More About DBE/SBE
The DBE/SBE Program was established by RTD to foster equal opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses by reducing unnecessary obstacles that prevent growth.
Small Business Certification Guide
RTD, in collaboration with its partners, developed the Small Business Certification Guide to provide an outline of small, minority, women, veteran, emerging, and disadvantaged business certifications found in Colorado.
Bidders List
RTD maintains a list of businesses and vendors interested in doing business with us. RTD buyers often contact these companies directly to request bids.
Increase your business opportunities by getting on our bidders list.
Read RTD's 2023-2025 DBE Goal Notice
In accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, as amended, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado, hereby notifies the public that it is recommending the following Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal which represents the percentage of work to be accomplished by DBE prime contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors and material suppliers for professional services, construction and procurement contracts on federal-aid transit projects and grants during the Federal Fiscal Years of 2023-2025, beginning October 1, 2022 and ending September 30, 2025. The overall proposed DBE goal for FFY 2023-2025 is 14.5%. The DBE Goal Methodology and all information pertaining to this goal and a description of how it was selected is available for inspection from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Regional Transportation District Executive Offices located at 1660 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 for 30 calendar days following the publication of this notice. Digital version will be available through a Microsoft TEAMS virtual meeting upon request made through the RTD’s Small Business Opportunity Office email address: [email protected] Written comments of this goal will be accepted for 45 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice. The comments are for informational purposes only and may be sent to the RTD Civil Rights Division, same address, AND to the Regional Civil Rights Officer, Federal Transit Administration, Regions VII and VIII, Byron Rogers Federal Building – 1961 Stout Street, Suite 13-301, Denver, Colorado 80202.
Update to RTD's SBE Certification Program
Update on RTD’s SBE Certification Program
Please be advised: As of November 15, 2022, RTD will accept and process new applications as part of the Small Business Certification (SBE) Program to add new SBE certified firms. If you are currently certified with RTD as an SBE, RTD will continue to process the annual updates and renewals of your RTD SBE certifications. There is no additional action needed from your part.
If you are interested in becoming a RTD SBE Certified Firm, visit www.rtd-denver.com/business-center/dbesbe/certification for SBE Certification application forms, checklists, and more information.
During a transitional time, RTD will continue to accept other certifications comparable to RTD’s SBE certification from the City and County of Denver and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to be counted toward projects with SBE Goals. These other certifications that RTD will temporarily accept on our locally funded projects with SBE goals are:
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification from the Colorado UCP (City and County of Denver and CDOT)
- Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification from the City and County of Denver
- Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification from the City and County of Denver.
RTD’s Small Business Opportunity Office continues to focus on building a stronger Colorado economy by ensuring compliance of goals set and providing training so that small/minority/disadvantaged/women owned businesses can grow and thrive in this competitive industry. RTD will continue to set SBE goals on our locally funded projects and honor RTD SBE certifications on RTD contracts with SBE goals.
For more information, please contact RTD’s Small Business Opportunity Office at [email protected]
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Network News
November 2022
Public Notice of FY 2023-2025 DBE Goal Notice
In accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, as amended, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado, hereby notifies the public that it is recommending the following Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal which represents the percentage of work to be accomplished by DBE prime contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors and material suppliers for professional services, construction and procurement contracts on federal-aid transit projects and grants during the Federal Fiscal Years of 2023-2025, beginning October 1, 2022 and ending September 30, 2025. The overall proposed DBE goal for FFY 2023-2025 is 14.5%. The DBE Goal Methodology and all information pertaining to this goal and a description of how it was selected is available for inspection from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Regional Transportation District Executive Offices located at 1660 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 for 30 calendar days following the publication of this notice. Digital version will be available through a TEAMS virtual meeting upon request made through the RTD’s Small Business Opportunity Office email address: [email protected] Written comments of this goal will be accepted for 45 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice. The comments are for informational purposes only and may be sent to the RTD Civil Rights Division, same address, AND to the Regional Civil Rights Officer, Federal Transit Administration, Regions VII and VIII, Byron Rogers Federal Building – 1961 Stout Street, Suite 13-301, Denver, Colorado 80202.
RTD FasTracks Small Business Success Story
The RTD Civil Rights Division’s Small Business Opportunity Office would like to present the RTD FasTracks Small Business Success Story. This is a commemorative video to capture the outstanding accomplishments and success stories of small, minority, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses that helped build RTD’s multi-modal expansion project known as FasTracks.