Three operating administrations within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. These are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). DBE seeks to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department’s highway, transit, and airport financial assistance programs and to create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts.

Section 26.49 Transit Vehicle Manufacturers "DBE" Goals OF DOT-assisted contract for the project will require each transit vehicle manufacturer, as a condition of being authorized to bid or propose on FTA-assisted transit vehicle procurements, to certify that it has complied with the requirements of this section. Alternatively, may, at its discretion and with FTA approval, establish project-specific goals for DBE participation in the procurement of transit vehicles in lieu of the TVM complying with this element of the program. Note: this element applies only to FTA recipients' programs. If an FAA or FHWA recipient uses this approach to purchases of equipment, it would add a similar element to its program.