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Office of Economic Inclusion

Increasing Economic Viability of Targeted, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

 

 

 

 

02/10/2026 - DBE Program Alert

Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Milwaukee County is pleased to announce its DBE ACDBE Recertification Process to recertify DBEs and ACDBEs. 

On Monday, February 16th, 2026, the Wisconsin Unified Certification Program (UCP) will begin accepting DBE and ACDBE Recertification applications. Application information will be located on the WisDOT DBE Website.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation will host webinar training on how to submit your recertification application on Monday, February 16th at 11 am and Thursday, February 19th at 2 pm. Use the provided links to join the training.

If you have questions, please email [email protected].

 

 

10/3/2025 – The U.S. Department of Transportation has published the interim final ruling for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Airport Concessions (ACDBE) Program. Review the interim final rule and  the guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Transportation

Please contact [email protected] for assistance.

About Us

Milwaukee County’s Office of Economic Inclusion (OEI) is a partner to minority, women, and small businesses. To ensure that Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Targeted Business Enterprise (TBE) firms are afforded a level playing field in participating on all Milwaukee County procurement contracts, OEI provides information on potential contracts for most business sectors as well as identifying procurement opportunities within Milwaukee County. OEI advocates for DBE/TBE participation in as many county contracts as possible and strives to improve opportunities for equitable contracting.

Need Small Business Insurance?

Milwaukee County and the Office of Economic Inclusion Introduces Commercial Insurance for Small Businesses!

As a result of Milwaukee County’s relationship with CoverWallet, the Office of Economic Inclusion is proud to introduce a digital operating model that will allow area businesses to get advice, purchase competitively priced coverage, and manage their insurance conveniently, online in minutes. Learn more about small business insurance.

For returning DBE, ACDBE, and TBE firms, review the 2024 updated DBE final rule changes. 

Annual Procurement

On average, Milwaukee County procures over $120 million per year in services, goods and infrastructure projects.

To ensure that Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Targeted Business Enterprise (TBE) firms are afforded a level playing field in participating on all Milwaukee County procurement contracts, the Office of Economic Inclusion develops goals, monitors contract payments and enforces Milwaukee County ordinances. The Office of Economic Inclusion reviews contracts and monitors all payments to its prime contractors through all subcontracting tiers on all Milwaukee County contracts using B2GNow.   

All prime and subcontract payment reporting is required to be done using B2GNow.

Resources, Forms and Links Do Business With the County

Access B2GNow

For ACDBE/DBE/SBE Certification, TBE and Construction Prime Contractor Vendor Registration, Compliance Information and Reporting of Payments on Milwaukee County Contracts

B2GNow

Click here for out-of-state DBE certified firms seeking DBE certification in Wisconsin.

Office of Economic Inclusion Dashboard

U.S. DOT DBE, ACDBE and SBE Certification Programs

AS OF OCTOBER 3, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Transportation has published the interim final ruling for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Airport Concessions (ACDBE) Program. Review the interim final rule and  the guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Transportation

Please contact [email protected] for assistance.

The Office of Economic Inclusion is a member of the Wisconsin Unified Certification Program (WisUCP), which is comprised of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, City of Madison and Dane County. If a business is certified as a DBE with any of the four WisUCP certifying member organizations, the business is registered with all four agencies, and eligible to apply for interstate U.S. DOT UCP certification nationwide.

We are the DBE and Airport Concession Disadvantage Business Enterprise (ACDBE) and SBE certifying body for Milwaukee County. The combined gross revenue for DBE and ACDBE firms was $35 million in 2016, and is projected to increase at an annual rate of 1.5 percent, to $177 million in 2020. DBE/ACDBE participation is required on contracts funded by the U.S. DOT, FTA or FAA. Milwaukee County has set DBE and ACDBE goals for all U.S. DOT-funded projects. Learn more about the Disadvantage Business Enterprise.

To qualify as a DBE, ACDBE or SBE you must meet the following criteria as defined in 49 CFR:

  • Be a for-profit business
  • Be socially or economically disadvantage
  • Have control over business decisions
  • Be a small-business enterprise according to SBA small business standards
  • Have a personal net worth under $1.32 million

If your company meets this criteria, start the certification process using B2GNow (Business To Government Now).

Milwaukee County only accepts certification applications through B2GNow.

Use B2GNow for compliance, reporting payments, certification and registration management.

Targeted Business Enterprise (TBE) Registration Program

For projects that are not funded by U.S. DOT, FTA or FAA, Milwaukee County has a TBE program. The TBE program widens the pool of potential minority, women and small business enterprises to contract services with. A definition of a TBE is any company that is certified as a DBE under WisUCP, or certified as a minority- or women-owned business with the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration or registered as a small business in the SBA SAM registry.

 

To Qualify as a TBE With Milwaukee County

A TBE business is a for profit entity as a DBE, minority, women or small business and must be certified or registered with at least one of the following:

Our Mission

The mission of the Office of Economic Inclusion is to increase the overall economic viability of small and disadvantaged businesses throughout Milwaukee County and the region.

To accomplish this mission, our staff is dedicated to:

  • Establishing participation goals, where appropriate, to assist DBE firms in contracting with Milwaukee County as a prime or subcontractor, consultant or vendor
  • Certifying firms qualified to participate in the DBE program
  • Monitoring and enforcing compliance of contracts with project specifications and Milwaukee County Ordinances
  • Promoting business opportunities and capacity building measures to small businesses

Contact Us

General Email Inquiries: [email protected]

Certification Questions: [email protected]

Director

Office of Economic Inclusion Team

Milwaukee County
600 N. Plankinton Ave, Suite 600
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 278-4747 Office
(414) 223-1958 Fax