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It is the policy of the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments to foster participation by historically underutilized business enterprises in its procurement and contracting opportunities - without regard to the funding source utilized. As a recipient of federal funds, the H-GAC Transportation Department concurrently administers the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program (49 CFR Part 26) with respect to contracting opportunities funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Department has proposed an overall goal of 25% for participation by certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in contracts with financial assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The proposed DBE goal will be effective from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Public Meeting
H-GAC hosted two virtual Disadvantaged Business Enterprise workshops on June 2, 2022 to discuss the agency's FY2023 - 2025 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals. The public meeting then took place on Monday, June 13 from 5:30 to 7 PM.
DBE Certification
Businesses interested in being recognized as a DBE entity must apply for certification through the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP).
To qualify for DBE certification a firm must meet the following general eligibility requirements:
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Firm must be organized as a for-profit business
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Must be a small business entity as defined by the Small Business Administration
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Must be at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals
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Personal net worth must not exceed $1.32 million
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Gross receipts must not exceed $23.98 million, averaged over three years
TUCP certification is recognized by every Texas agency that administers U.S. DOT-assisted contracts. The certifying agency for the Houston metropolitan area is the City of Houston – Office of Business Opportunity. H-GAC is not a certifying agency but maintains a list of firms that have shown an interest in bidding on agency contracts as an indicator of the relative availability of DBE firms in the market area.
Doing Business with H-GAC
Procurement opportunities with H-GAC are posting periodically on our website. DBE firms are strongly encouraged to participate.
Search Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) DBE and TxDOT SBE Directory
TxDOT DBE Program
The federal DBE program was established to provide a level playing field for small, minority and women owned companies nationwide, and to foster equitable competition for federally assisted transportation projects. DBE regulations require state and local transportation agencies that receive financial assistance from the U.S. DOT to administer the program. Consequently, local government entities that receive federal funds through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) must adopt TxDOT’s federally approved DBE Program and comply with the federal DBE regulations in 49 CFR 26. H-GAC has executed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to participate in TxDOT’s DBE program but will continue to set its own annual DBE goals.