Civil Rights Bureau

DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) PROGRAM

2021 - Annual DBE Conference

Join us for the all-day annual DBE conference held at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Des Moines on November 3!
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DBE Goal Setting Meetings typically take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. central time. These meetings establish the DBE goals for the following month’s letting.

For additional information call 515-239-1427 or e-mail questions to dot.civilrights@iowadot.us

2021 - 2023 Approved DBE Goal Methodology

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Business Woman

The Iowa DOT takes affirmative action to ensure that Disadvantaged business enterprises have the maximum practical opportunity to get Iowa DOT contracts for construction, professional and technical service. The Iowa DOT also has taken specific steps to ensure there is no discrimination in the awarding and administering of contracts. The attached DBE Program Plan has been submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for approval.

The DBE Program, which has been developed under the Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) policies, is administered by the Civil Rights Bureau.

Authority for the department's DBE Program is derived from, but is not limited to:

  • Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and any amendments.
  • Executive Order 11625 and any amendments.
  • Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
  • 49 CFR Part 26 of the Federal Register and any amendments.

DBE Resources



Federal and state laws prohibit employment and/or public accommodation discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, and retaliation. If you believe you have been discriminated against, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission at 800-457-4416 or Iowa Department of Transportation's affirmative action officer. If you need accommodations because of a disability to access the Iowa Department of Transportation's services, contact the agency's civil rights/ADA coordinator, Tonnette Harris in the Civil Rights Bureau, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010 or at 515-233-7970. TTY/TDD: 515-233-7970