Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
Organizations participating as DBE’s on construction projects, as concessionaires, as lessees, or for professional services must first be certified as such. Please complete and return the enclosed Schedule A application. In addition, please provide us with copies of the information requested on the DBE checklist. By providing us with this information, we will be able to process your application efficiently.
What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise?
The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) works to certify local firms under the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and to establish annual DBE participation goals for McGhee Tyson Airport and Downtown Island Airport. We also certify local firms as Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) and establish annual ACDBE participation goals for the County’s airport projects.
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide a vehicle for increasing the participation of minority/women-owned business enterprises in state and local procurement. The DOT DBE program is implemented by recipients of DOT Federal Financial Assistance. View program guidelines: DBE Program Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26 (49 CFR 26).
MKAA accepts applications for DBE certification through the State of Tennessee’s Unified Certification (UCP) Program, a “one-stop shop” for DBE applicants managed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), as mandated in 49 CFR 26.