Small Business Development Program

David Neese
Small Business Development Program Director
Phone: 615.741.3681 / 615.253.1075
Email: David.Neese@tn.gov

The Tennessee Department of Transportation Small Business Development Program's primary goal is to increase the number of small, minority, and female businesses in the highway and bridge construction industry. We are available to provide quality technical assistance, resources, guidance, and any other information in regards to the Small Business Development Program. Please do not hesitate to call our office for further assistance.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) programs are part of the Department's Small Business Development Program. More information is provided below.

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NOTE: Effective Friday, October 3rd, 2025, a new USDOT Interim Final Rule (IFR) amended the USDOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) regulations to remove race- and sex-based presumptions from the definition of “socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.” More information is available Here: The IFR removes the presumption of race and gender-based disadvantage and requires a reevaluation of all existing DBE firms based on their ability to demonstrate individual disadvantage. We are currently reevaluating Personal Narratives for previously certified firms only and no new applications are being accepted at this time. Please see the “DBE Application” section below for more information.

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What is the TDOT DBE program?
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program was developed by the Federal Highway Administration and is administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to encourage minority, female, and other disadvantaged firms to work in the highway/bridge industry. Both state and federal construction projects and monies are included in the program.

Who may qualify as a DBE?
There are several eligibility criteria for DBE certification. As these conditions are met, certification can be granted.

  • Your firm must be an existing “for-profit” business that is currently operational.
  • Your firm must be an independent business. If it is a subsidiary of a corporation, your firm must still operate in a self-sufficient manner.
  • Your firm must meet the federal definition of a small business concern.
  • Owners must meet the federal definition of “socially and economically disadvantaged.” 
  • Owners must possess the expertise to control the daily operations and management of the firm.
  • Owners must be able to show ownership of at least 51% of the firm through real and substantial investments of capital.
  • Owners’ net worth must not be over $2.047 million (excluding personal residence and stock/ownership in the potential DBE firm).

What happens once I am a DBE?
Once DBE certified, your firm is placed on a statewide list showing contractors you are certified and listing your work areas. You must be certified at the time the prime contractor submits a bid to TDOT.

DBE certification does not guarantee that you will get TDOT work; however, if you perform good work at competitive prices, you have an advantage on projects with DBE goals.

As a TDOT-certified DBE, you may be eligible to receive group and individualized training and technical assistance to increase your efficiency and profits. The Small Business Development Program headquartered in Nashville provides this at no cost to you.

Call the Small Business Development Program in Nashville at (615) 741-3681 or 1-888-370-3647 for further information.

TDOT is now accepting Personal Narratives (PNs) and Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statements through the new B2Gnow online application portal for firms that were previously certified prior to the Interim Final Rule changes. Below are links to the B2Gnow login page, PN Checklist, and PNW Statement.

- B2Gnow Link

- Personal Narrative Checklist

- Personal Net Worth Form

All new DBE applications are temporarily on hold due to the Interim Final Rule (IFR). Please check back periodically for updates on when new applications will be accepted.

All contractors must be prequalified before they may work on a TDOT contract. This is separate from DBE certification. Construction firms and businesses other than consulting firms should complete the TDOT Prequalification Form for Contractors on the Contractor Prequalification website while consultants should complete the form found on the Consultant Information page.

Bid Letting Information                                                                                                                  

TDOT Construction Division Bid Letting webpage   

 

                                                                                                             

 

DBE Goals and Goal Setting Information

DBE Goals (Word)
DBE Goal Setting Tutorial (Power Point w/audio) (60.1 MB)
Sample Worksheets for Goal Setting Power Point  (Word)

DBE Guidelines and Construction Office Forms

Special Provision 1247 (PDF)
Commercially Useful Function (CUF) Checklist  (Word)