Partnering with a broad range of businesses is important to us. It’s a better way to do business that creates strategic opportunities for small and local businesses — helping to strengthen the Columbus Region.
DBE/ACDBE Program
As a recipient of U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) funds, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority administers a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in compliance with Part 26 – Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs and Part 23 – Participation Of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise In Airport Concessions. These programs assist with participation in contracting opportunities for businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
The DBE Program objectives are to:
- Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of federally assisted contracts.
- Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete for federally assisted contracts.
- Help remove barriers that affect participation of DBEs in federally assisted contracts.
- Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program.
- Ensure the DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law.
- Ensure that only firms that fully meet the eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs.
- Promote the use of DBEs in all types of federally assisted contracts and procurement activities.
- Provide appropriate flexibility in establishing and providing opportunities for DBEs.
Small Business verification
In 2011, the USDOT issued a rule requiring the addition of a small business element to the DBE program. The small business element is one method of achieving race-neutral efforts for DBE participation. As a result of this requirement, Columbus Regional Airport Authority instituted the Certified Small Business Partner (CSBP) Program. By definition, DBEs are also SBEs or Small Business Enterprises. The Authority’s small business element includes outreach activities, verification of certified SBEs, monitoring SBE participation on contracts, and tracking payments made to SBEs.
For firms interested in registering as a small business with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, please register via our vendor portal.
Please contact with questions: [email protected].
DBE/ACDBE certification
In order for small disadvantaged firms to participate as a DBE or Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) in federally assisted contracts, they must apply for and receive certification.
Eligibility requirements:
- The owner must be a member of a socially and economically disadvantaged group. This means owners who are citizens of the United States, or who are lawfully admitted permanent residents, and are: Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian-Pacific Islander, Subcontinent Asian, or women regardless of race.
- The business must be owned, at least 51%, by one or more individuals who are considered members of a socially and economically disadvantaged group.
- The disadvantaged owner(s) must control the company’s management and daily operations.
- A disadvantaged owner(s) personal net worth cannot exceed $1,320,000 (excluding ownership interest in the firm and the equity in his/her primary residence).
- The company must meet the Small Business Administration’s Size Standard requirements.
- Within the State of Ohio, DBE and ACDBE certification is performed by the Ohio Unified Certification Program (OHUCP). The Columbus Regional Airport Authority is a member of the Ohio UCP. The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Office of Contracts, DBE Section, processes DBE/ACDBE certification applications for the State of Ohio. To download an application, obtain additional information regarding DBE/ACDBE Certification, or for a listing of currently certified DBE/ACDBE firms, please visit ohioucp.org.
DBE compliance
The DBE Program ensures all program participant compliance with federal requirements pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26. DBE compliance is to ensure that scheduled work is actually being performed, managed, and controlled by the DBE Company contracted to perform on the contract.
The Authority’s DBE Compliance Program engages in the following activities in its efforts to monitor contracts:
- Conducts desk audits to determine actual DBE participation level for each project
- Conducts onsite readiness and compliance visits
- Reviews prime contractor’s billings and payments to subcontractors and suppliers for payment
- Reviews change orders for their effect on DBE contract values
- Attends project progress meetings
Review our DBE Compliance program (PDF).
For additional information, bidding forms, and resources, visit our document library.
DBE public notices:
The approved three-year goals and DBE Program Documents for Columbus Regional Airport Authority are below. If you have any questions or comments on these documents, please contact:
Columbus Regional Airport Authority
Office of Business Diversity
4600 International Gateway
Columbus, OH 43219
Email: [email protected]
Public outreach meeting: CMH, LCK, & TZR
PUBLIC NOTICE — August 4, 2025
The Columbus Regional Airport Authority hereby announces its proposed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participations goal of 17.6% for FAA-funded contracts/agreements at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Bolton Field Airport. The proposed goal pertains to federal fiscal years 2026 through 2028 (10/1/2025 – 9/30/2028).
The Columbus Regional Airport Authority also hereby announces its proposed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal of 12.5% for FAA-funded contracts/agreements at Rickenbacker International Airport. The proposed goal pertains to federal fiscal years 2026 through 2027 (10/1/2025 – 9/30/2027). The goal for 2025 is 0% due to the enforcement of a federal court injunction requiring CRAA to reduce the project goal from 15% to 0% on the only federally assisted contract awarded in 2025.
A virtual meeting will be held on August 20, 2025 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. EDT for the purpose of consulting with stakeholders to obtain information relevant to the goal-setting process.
Comments on the DBE goal will also be accepted for 14 days from the date of this publication and be sent to the following:
Jessica Gaston Mathews
4600 International Gateway
Columbus, OH 43219
[email protected]
Federal Aviation Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Jenny Allen
202.267.8932
[email protected]
John Glenn Columbus International goals and DBE program document
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport 3 Year DBE Goal effective (2023-2025)
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport 3 Year Car Rental Goal effective (2024-2026)
- John Glenn International Airport 3 Year Non-Car Rental Goal effective (2024-2026)
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport DBE Program Document
Rickenbacker International Goals and DBE Program Document
Certified Small Business Partner (CSBP) Program
The overall goal of the Certified Small Business Partner (CSBP) Program is to ensure that small businesses can grow and become self-sufficient in order to create a level playing field on which they can compete fairly for contracts and subcontracts with CRAA.
CSBP: DBE/ACDBE/SBE/SRB/EDGE/SDVOSB/VOSB
A Certified Small Business Partner (CSBP) is defined as a small business, certified by either a government agency in the State of Ohio or a nationally recognized certifying organization. The following certifications currently make up CRAA’s CSBP program:
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise* (DBE/ACDBE)
- Small Business Enterprise* (SBE)
- Small Regional Business (SRB)
- Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity* (EDGE)
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- Veteran-Owned Small Business
- Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Enterprise (ACDBE)
CRAA may accept additional small business certifications on a case-by-case basis, if the certifying body is a governmental entity and the qualifications include a size threshold equivalent to, or more stringent than, the DBE or SBE criteria.
