The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program ensures the qualification of socially and economically disadvantaged owned and operated businesses for participation on USDOT funded contracts.
ACDBE stands for “Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.” It is a companion program to the more familiar Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, but targets the concession side of FAA spending.
- What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise?
A DBE is defined by 49 CFR 26.5 as a for-profit small business concern: That is at least 51% owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged owners.
- What is an Airport Concession?
As taken from 49 CFR 23:
Concession means one or more of the types of for-profit businesses listed in paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition:
(1) A business, located on an airport subject to this part, that is engaged in the sale of consumer goods or services to the public under an agreement with the recipient, another concessionaire, or the owner or lessee of a terminal, if other than the recipient.
(2) A business conducting one or more of the following covered activities, even if it does not maintain an office, store or other business location on an airport subject to this part, as long as the activities take place on the airport: management contracts and subcontracts, a web-based or other electronic business in a terminal or which passengers can access at the terminal, an advertising business that provides advertising displays or messages to the public on the airport, or a business that provides goods and services to concessionaires.
In practice, the concessionaires can be divided into two basic types. The first are the retail concessions selling food and goods or services to the public, such as restaurants, magazine stands, or salons. The second is the rental cars.
- What Does this Mean?
Within the confines of FAA spending, it opens up USDOT’s program to businesses that would not normally operate within the traditional transportation industry. It potentially allows participation of qualifying businesses across the retail spectrum, from the advertisers and suppliers servicing the concessionaires, to those selling goods and services to the airport travelers directly.
- Who Certifies ACDBE/ DBE Businesses in Indiana?
The Indiana Department of Transportation’s Business Opportunity Initiative Services is the sole certifier of ACDBE and DBE businesses in Indiana.
- Do I Qualify?
The DBE program is unique, as it considers the personal economic situation of the applicant firm owner(s).
Under 49 CFR 26, to qualify for the program, an applicant must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Possess expertise in the field
- Control daily business operations
- Have a personal net worth of less than $2,047,000 (excluding the value of their primary residence and assets of the firm applying for DBE certification).
Per 49 CFR 26.67, social disadvantage must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence and based on individual owner(s) experience and circumstances in American society. This evidence is to be submitted in the form of a Personal Narrative, which should include specific instances of economic hardship, systemic barriers, and denied opportunities that impeded the owner's progress or success in education, employment, or business, including obtaining financing on terms available to similarly situated, non-disadvantaged persons.
- Does My Business Qualify?
To qualify as a DBE/ ACDBE, the company must be a small business as defined by the Small Business Association (SBA) which means:
- The firm’s average annual gross receipts may not exceed SBA size standards for its assigned NAICS code(s).
- In any case, the firm’s gross annual receipts may not exceed a $30.40 million average over the previous five fiscal years.
The primary differences revolve around business size standards. Because of the potential scale of airport retail operations, the size standards are different. Instead of the familiar $23.98 million in gross receipts, the cap is $56.42 million generally. However, the gross receipts cap for car rental companies is set at $75.23 million. For a more thorough listing, you may reference 49 CFR 23.33.
- How Do I Apply?
We do not accept paper applications. All applications must be submitted through Indiana’s ITAP system. All prospective applicants will need to complete a pre-screen prior to submitting an application. Once your application request comes through, a member of the BOI team will reach out to schedule a phone call. Visit our website to set up your ITAP account and complete the application process.
Please note: The AC/DBE application works best in the web browser of Edge and Google Chrome, this could be with the area that state’s the application is not compatible with a phone.
- What Happens After I Apply?
Once submitted, your application will be assigned to a certification specialist, and they will schedule a site visit for in-state applicants.
After receipt of the application and all requested documentation, please allow up to 90 days for processing of in-state applications and up to 60 days for inter-state applications.
- Are There Any Special Considerations?
- Time Commitment. Check with the airport where you are considering doing business. The airport’s busy time may be from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Are you going to be able to provide staffing during those times? Also, airports may ask for your business to stay open if they have delayed or cancelled flights. Do you have the flexibility to handle these requests?
- Security. Airports often have special security requirements. Make sure you understand exactly what these requirements are and how to comply before you enter into a contractual agreement at an airport. Many of these requirements are not local but mandated by the federal government.
- What is the DBE/ACDBE Size Standard?
You can find the most current DBE/ACDBE size standard at www.transportation.gov/DBEsizestandards.