DBE and SBE Programs
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
NOTICE: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - DBE GOAL FOR FFYs 2024-2026
Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) has established an overall DBE participation goal of 24.4% for FFYs 2024-2026.
The proposed goal and its rationale are available for inspection Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at KCATA’s Office of Equity and Engagement, 1200 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108. Comments and inquiries will be accepted from the public for 45 days following the date of this notice and may be directed to KCATA, at the above address or to the Federal Transit Administration Region VII, Byron Rogers Federal Building, Civil Rights Office, 1961 Stout Street, Suite 13-301, Denver, CO 80294.
Download the KCATA's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Policy statement.
Online KCATA DBE/SBE Certification Process
On July 26, 2019, our certification application process became available online.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) Diversity Management System is designed to empower vendors to manage their own vendor record including DBE/SBE certification, maintain accurate contact information, vendor registration, and submit contract payment details online. The system is accessible to all firms doing business with KCATA. Other key features include:
- Electronic DBE/SBE Certification Application process including New Applications and Renewal Applications;
- Tracking of vendor certification applications from submission to completion;
- Automated communication with contractors via email regarding compliance issues;
- Prime submission of subcontractor utilization reports with automated tracking of contract goals and participation;
- Enhanced online certified directory with keyword search capabilities;
- Elimination of paper-based reporting.
- If the application is properly completed and all supporting documents have been submitted, the processing time may be completed within 45-90 days. Applications are processed by date of receipt on a first-in, first-out basis.
Tip Sheet for New DBE Applicants
Paper applications will not be accepted after December 31, 2019.
Instructions on how to access and complete an application can be found in the B2GNow Online Application User Manual.
To be certified as a bona fide Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) your firm must meet the criteria established by the Department of Transportation under 49 CFR Part 26 established March 1, 1999. Key considerations include, but are not limited to:
- The majority stockholder (firm’s principle) must be considered socially and economically disadvantaged according to DOT guidelines. This includes recognized minority groups and females.
- The disadvantaged owner must have a documented personal net worth that does not exceed $1.32 million, which excludes equity in the firm.
- The firm’s annual receipts (based on a three-year average) cannot exceed the Small Business Administration’s size standards based on the firm’s primary function and NAICS codes.
- Further information on these regulations and the certification requirements can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise/obtaining-certification.
Note: If your firm has a current Letter of Certificate of Compliance issued by another governmental agency that has reviewed and certified your firm as a DBE in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26, you may submit it as part of the certification process with KCATA. Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26.81, the KCATA participates in Missouri's Unified Certification Program through the Missouri Regional Certification Committee (MRCC). A firm that is certified through a partner agency will also be considered "certified" through the MRCC. Certified firms will be included in the MRCC DBE Directory, which is available to interested parties. You may access the MRCC DBE Directory at the Missouri Department of Transportation website.
DBE Directory
Kansas Department of Transportation DBE Directory
Missouri Regional Certification Committee DBE Directory
DBE Benefits
- Applicants need only apply once for DBE certification that will be honored by all recipients in the state. Reciprocity with other Missouri Regional Council (MRCC) members includes Missouri Department of Transportation, City of Kansas City, Mo, Bi-State Development, and Lambert St. Louis Airport Authority.
- Register your business with Missouri Department of Transportation’s statewide DBE Directory.
- DBE Certification enables qualified vendors to bid not only on KCATA projects, but the opportunity to bid statewide for all DOT transportation modes, including Aviation, Highways, and Public Transportation.
- DBE Certification also provides your company with numerous other benefits such as contract information, referrals, technical assistance, and referrals to prime contractors.
KCATA Vendor Registration Process
All firms (prime contractors, subcontractors and suppliers) doing business with KCATA must complete a vendor registration process. KCATA uses an online vendor management system (B2GNow). Vendors that have previously registered with KCATA must now also complete the online process with updated information.
To begin, you must set up an account at KCATA.diversitycompliance.com where you will be given a temporary password. You will receive a confirmation email and be directed to change your password. You may follow the instruction guide to complete the process, and B2GNow also conducts webinars that provide guided training on the features.
The following forms are required and must be provided at the time of registration. Failure to provide these forms will delay the approval process.
- KCATA Affidavit of Civil Rights Compliance
- KCATA Workforce Analysis/EEO-1 Report
- KCATA Affidavit of Participant’s Compliance Regarding Employee Eligibility Verification (Primary Participant or Lower-Tier Participant)
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program
To facilitate competition by small businesses on projects funded in part by the Department of Transportation (DOT), KCATA has implemented a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Development Program as mandated in 49 CFR Part 26.39. This program fosters small business growth and competitive bidding on USDOT funded projects. The program operates in a race and gender neutral manner and is designed to include all segments of the business community. In order to be eligible as a Small Business Enterprise, firms must: 1) fall within the Small Business Administration’s size guidelines; and 2) the Owner’s Personal Net Worth (PNW) cannot exceed the cap determined by USDOT (as amended) which is currently $1.32 million. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) are small businesses and are automatically included in the SBE program.
In order to participate in the SBE program, firms must complete the “Small Business Enterprise Declaration of Certification Affidavit.” Firms that have the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Certification, as described in 13 CFR Parts 121 and 124, may submit a copy of its certificate. Firms that are not certified as 8(a) firms by the SBA must submit: 1) a copy of business tax returns for the most recent three-year period indicating the gross receipts; or if the SBA uses the number of employees to determine small business eligibility, a copy of the firm’s payroll statement indicating the average annual employment for the most recent year. Firm owners must also complete a Personal Net Worth Statement.