> Office of Business Opportunity > Certifications & Designations > Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification
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Due to the volume of certification applications, the average processing time for local applications is 6 – 8 months. We are working diligently to process your application and appreciate your patience.
Office of Business Opportunity
Certifications & Designations - Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification
The City of Houston is a member of the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP). The TUCP certifies Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for participation in Department of Transportation federal contracting projects across the State of Texas in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR 26 and 23).
General Eligibility Requirements
Fifty-one percent owned, managed and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s).
Presumed Groups:
- Asian-American; African-American; Native American; Hispanic; Women
- Must be a small business as defined by Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Personal Net Worth Limit: $1,320,000
- Firm must be organized as a for-profit business
The TUCP consolidates all DBE firms certified by six different agencies into one centralized DBE Directory for USDOT funded contracts for Airport, Highways, Public Transit etc. The Office of Business Opportunity is one of the six certifying agencies and is responsible for processing DBE certification applications for Harris, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller counties.
Apply for DBE Certification
DBE applicants must provide their Federal Employee Identification Number. The FEIN can be easily obtained by calling the IRS toll-free number 800-829-4933. For your convenience this is NAICS Code Search web link.
DBE Annual Update
You must update your certification annually in order to continue in the program. The Office of Business Opportunity will notify you of upcoming annual updates.
