Kentucky DBE Program - Certification and Prequalification
The Kentucky Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program helps qualified companies
acquire DBE certification and prequalification status with the Kentucky Transportation
Cabinet (KYTC), offers business and technical development programs and provides
outreach to DBEs for information and resources that foster growth.
The Ohio River Bridges Project requires an element of DBE participation as called
for in the project's Memorandum of Agreement (Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
Part 26). It is important to understand that firms must earn both certification,
by showing that they are owned and operated by a person who meets the criteria of
a disadvantaged business owner (a socio-economic measure), and the Certificate of
Eligibility, or prequalification, that certifies the DBE firm can do the work for
which it is seeking.
As you prepare for prequalification, consider the following points:
- Carefully choose the type of work for which you seek eligibility. You can only receive eligibility if your firm has the organization, experience and equipment to do the job.
- Know that experience is also a major factor. If your firm has limited experience doing the work for which you are applying, bid on smaller related jobs. Make sure that you are in contact with as many prime contractors as possible - ask to be added to their Contractors List. Seek out work that will add to your accomplishments and prepare a "resume" of your company's experience and references.
- Understand that 50 percent of the eligibility criteria are based on performance (30 percent on plant and equipment and 20 percent on the organization and its experience).
- Understand your contracting capacity. Will you be seeking eligibility for contracts exceeding $250,000 or $1,000,000?
- Bonding capacity is also a very important issue for all DBEs seeking work on the Project. Can you obtain bonding for the size of the job on which you are seeking to bid?
- You must be able to document positive working capital - it is a key requirement for prequalification. Current Assets - Current Liabilities = Working Capital.
For information about KYTC prequalification and the Certificate of
Eligibility, visit the Division
of Construction Procurement or contact Steve Waddle, KYTC Division of Construction Procurement
at steve.waddle@ky.gov.