| Q. I am a new company (less than three years old). Can I qualify as a KY DBE? |
| A. Yes, you may apply for certification at any time. |
| Q. What are the major criteria for KY DBE certification? |
| A. The owner (51% +) and operator of the firm must be a socially disadvantaged* individual (see below for description) and that owner must have less than $750,000 net worth NOT including primary home or business. |
| Q. I am a certified KY DBE, how do I bid on work with the Ohio River Bridges Project? |
| A. You will need to apply for prequalification unless your business is a trucking company, material supplier or business services supplier (cleaning, printing, etc.). |
| Q. What are the major criteria for prequalification (Certificate of Eligibility)? |
| A. Verifiable experience and equipment in the area of business for which you are applying and positive working capital (provided in financial statements) |
| Q. I am a certified DBE in Indiana/Tennessee/Ohio. Does Kentucky offer reciprocal certification? |
| A. Yes, but you still need to complete the Uniform Certification Application and provide supporting documents. |
| Q. My business does not qualify for DBE certification. How do I get information about bidding on the project? |
| A. By contacting the Ohio River Bridges Project Manager at www.kyinbridges.com. |
| Q. Will getting my business certified as a KY DBE and prequalified in my area of work guarantee work on the project? |
| A. No, certification and prequalification allow DBEs to bid on the Bridges Project (or any other KYTC project that receives federal funds). You MUST follow up professionally with all entities as you would for any other project. |
| Q. What can I do if a certified DBE firm may be misrepresenting their status as socially disadvantaged? |
| A. Report the incident, in detail to Deborah Arnold, Executive Director, Office of Business and Occupational Development, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40622, Phone: 800-928-3079, E-mail: deborah.arnold@ky.gov , Fax: 502-564-2114, http://transportation.ky.gov/OBOD. |
| * Socially Disadvantaged: Citizens of the United States (or lawfully admitted permanent residents) who are women, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, or other minorities found to be disadvantaged by the SBA, are socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. |