OVERVIEW OF DBE | DBE CERTIFICATION PROCESS | INFORMATION FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY | APPLICATION | CONTACT INFORMATION

OVERVIEW OF DBE

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program handles certification for all socially and economically disadvantaged businesses for all departments of the City of Shreveport and other local public entities having that need. This office is also the certifying agent for the North Louisiana Purchasing Network, a volunteer organization of local large corporations committed to improving relationships between these companies and area DBE businesses.

Business entities organized for profit and performing a commercial purpose are eligible for certification. The business must be at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned, controlled and operated on a daily basis by persons determined to be disadvantaged.

The DBE office provides disadvantaged businesses the opportunities to diversify and grow through various services and referrals. As part of the Department of Community Development, the DBE Program has been mandated by the Department to perform and monitor identified functions that will enhance the City's DBE economic participation. In addition to City mandates, the DBE program employs the requirements and measurements as outlined in the federal regulations relative to funding sources received by the City.

The primary regulations and sources of funds are as follows:

24 CFR Section 85.36 (CDBG funded contracts)
40 CFR Section 35.6580 (EPA funded contracts)
49 CFR Section 23 (FAA & UMTA funded contracts)

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DBE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Consultation with applicant is done to insure that the applicant understands the requirements of the application and questions are answered or researched for the applicant.

The application is reviewed to check for the authenticity of the document. If there is any incomplete block(s) found, the applicant is called and asked to forward the necessary information. Upon completion of the review, a site visit is scheduled with the applicant.

A site visitation form is used and entered into the applicant’s record. A site visit is conducted to verify the information listed by the applicant such as: duties performed by each person listed as part of the organizational structure, checking documents for signature authority, number of employees and equipment listed. A site visit is conducted upon initial certification and for recertification, if required.

A letter awarding certification is submitted to the applicant along with a certificate with the Community Service Bureau Chief’s signature. The date awarded and date of expiration is listed on the certificate.

The name of the applicant’s company is listed in the City of Shreveport’s Certified DBE listing. The DBE Directory is updated quarterly and distributed to participating agencies such as, City of Shreveport’s Purchasing Division, the Surety Support Program, Chamber of Commerce, etc.

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INFORMATION FOR DETERMING ELIGIBILITY

OVERVIEW

All information requested is required to be submitted. If an item does not apply, mark "N/A." CERTIFICATION WILL NOT BE GRANTED ON INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.

Firms not located in Louisiana must provide evidence of certification by their state or other acceptable agency of their name state. Corporations must attach copies of articles of incorporation, by-laws, stock certificates and minutes of meetings held by the corporation which establish the authority and responsibilities of its officers.

DEFINITIONS

A. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise: Is a small business concern,

1. which is at least 51% owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or in the case of any public-owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; and

2. whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

B. Economically/Socially Disadvantaged Individuals: A person who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and who is:

1. Female: which includes any person of the female gender including persons having origins of any of the ethnic groups described below and any person of the caucasian groups;

2. African-American: which includes persons having origins in any of the black ethnic groups of Africa;

3. Hispanic-American: which includes persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish or Portuguese culture or origin, regardless of race;

4. Native-American: which includes persons who are American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts or native Hawaiians;

5. Asian-Pacific American: which includes persons whose origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Phillippines, Samoa, Guam, the U. S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, and the Northern Marianas; and

6. Asian-American Indians: which includes persons whose origins are from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

7. Other individuals may be found to be socially or economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis. For example, a disabled Vietnam veteran, an Appalachian white male, or another person may claim to be disadvantaged. These owners must demonstrate that their disadvantaged status arose from individual circumstances, rather than by virtue of membership in a group.

C. Joint Venture - an association of two or more persons to carry out a single business enterprise for profit, for which purpose they may combine their property, money, efforts, skills and knowledge.

D. Sole Proprietorship - 100% owner, operated and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged person.

E. Corporation - 51% of all classes of the shares of stock or other equitable securities shall be owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged persons.

F. Partnership - 51% of the assets and interest in the partnership must be owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged persons.

DENIAL OF CERTIFICATION

If your application is not approved by the DBE Office, you may appeal that decision. To appeal, you must write a letter stating the reason(s) you feel that you should be certified. Include any supporting documentation and send the appeal to:

Bureau Chief
Community Services Bureau
Department of Community Development
P. O. Box 31109
Shreveport, LA 71130

The appeal must be sent no later than 180 days from the date you were notified that your application for certification was denied.

CHALLENGING CERTIFICATION

1. In certifying your firm as a DBE the City presumes that you are socially and economically disadvantaged if you are a member of one of the several presumptive groups named in the regulations. Other persons, knowing of your actual social and economic condition, living standards, success in business, and so forth, have the right to challenge your recognition and certification as a DBE. A procedure exists by which these "third parties" may file such a challenge. If your status as a DBE is challenged, you will be given every opportunity to defend yourself. The challenge itself will not affect your status with the City until the challenge has been fully investigated and heard and a final determination is made.

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APPLICATION

Completed application must be brought IN PERSON to the DBE Office, City Hall Annex, 1237 Murphy Street, Room 210, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101. In addition to the completed application, please bring this additional documentation. An application may be obtained by calling the DBE office at 318-673-7566, visiting the DBE office in person at City Hall Annex, 1237 Murphy Street, Room 210, Shreveport, Louisiana or by printing the application in PDF format at your computer.

To view and print the DBE Application and Fact Sheets in .pdf format, click below:

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CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information on DBE contact:

Department of Community Development
Community Services Division
Business Development and Service Unit
1237 Murphy St., Room 210
Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 318- 673-7500
E-mail: community@ci.shreveport.la.us