DBE Program Advisory: The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that makes important changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program effective October 3, 2025. More information on these changes is available in Caltrans Office Bulletin #25-07. SANDAG is currently reviewing the IFR and related guidance to identify necessary program and procedural changes to ensure full compliance. Updates will be shared on this page as they become available.
Federal Transit Administration DBE Program
SANDAG maintains an FTA DBE Program and a triennial overall DBE goal per 49 CFR Part 26.
Federal Highway Administration DBE Program
SANDAG is a subrecipient of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding through Caltrans and follows the Caltrans DBE Program.
Caltrans District 11 local assistance contact: Bryan Ott, Acting District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE), 619.985.5440, bryan.ott@dot.gov; Michelle Gongora, Chief, Safety and District Services Branch, 619.929.6422, michelle.gongora@dot.ca.gov.
We strongly encourage small businesses to be DBE-certified. Here’s how to get DBE certified. The link includes contacts for resources that provide technical assistance at no cost to the small business firm. Companies that are DBE-certified are also able to participate in the SANDAG Small Business Program.
SANDAG Small Business Program
Small businesses play a vital role in our regional economy and SANDAG has made it a priority to do business with small firms, especially those with 100 employees or fewer. We believe partnerships between small businesses and SANDAG make us both stronger and provide full and fair opportunities to do business with us.
In line with maximizing opportunities for smaller firms at the state, local, and federal government levels as a priority, SANDAG’s Small Business Program seeks to increase participation by small firms in procurement opportunities and resulting contract awards in accordance with applicable law. We aim to have small businesses participate in 15 to 20% of all SANDAG projects. Where possible, we’ll also establish a 15% small business goal on our non-federally funded projects.
Calmentor Program
The Calmentor mentor-protégé program encourages and supports small businesses through voluntary partnerships with mid-size and larger firms. The program aims to increase the participation of small architectural and engineering firms in public transportation projects in the San Diego region. To ensure success, SANDAG and Caltrans District 11 have partnered with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) – San Diego Chapter, and the Caltrans, District 11 Small Business Council (D-11 SBC).
For more information, contact Elaine Richardson, Director of Diversity and Equity/DBE Liaison Officer at (619) 699-6956 or elaine.richardson@sandag.org.
