1. Applicants can request an application in writing, from DBE Coordinator at the following address, or download the application from this site (Applications and Forms for the DBE Program):
   Mississippi Department of Transportation
   Office of Civil Rights
   P.O. Box 1850
   Jackson, MS 39215-1850
2. After the Office of Civil Rights receives and processes application, an on-site review of the business is scheduled by the DBE Coordinator.
3. After the on-site review is completed, Applicant is scheduled for a meeting before the certification committee.
4. Applicants are notified in writing by mail of the certification committee's decision.

• How can I meet the prime contractors in order to give them quotes?
  Attend the DBE meetings held at the Hilton Hotel & Convention Center located on County Line Rd. in Jackson and the Holiday Inn North each month on the 4th Monday before the letting.
• How do I find out about MDOT’s jobs and get some information about the projects?
  Request Contract Administration Division to send you the monthly notice to bidders.
• Can I work on federal projects if I am not certified with the Mississippi Unified Certified Program.
  Yes, but your work would not count towards the prime contractors DBE project goal.
• Do I have to have a contractors licenses in order to work on MDOT projects?
  Not on federally assisted contracts. You must have a Certificate of Responsibility (C.O.R)., if your subcontract is $50,000 or more on state funded projects.
• How long does it take me to get paid after I have completed my work?
  Under the new DBE regulations, you should be paid within 15 days after MDOT pays the prime contractor for your items.
• Do I have to pay my employees more than the minimum wage to work on MDOT projects?
  Federal minimum wage rates must be paid when working on Federally assisted projects, as posted on the project bulletin boards. State funded projects require the contractor to pay the national minimum wage.

OCR 485 Form - To make this process easier, consider keeping a listing of all of the subcontractors and suppliers that you deal with on your computer in Word or Excel. Make this listing include company name, contact person, address, phone number and whether this company is a DBE or not. If you receive a quote from someone that you normally would not, add this firm to your listing at that time. Now you are ready for bidding. Attach a copy of your listing to the OCR 485 form with a checkmark by the firms that actually bid with you for this job listing. Sign the original OCR 485 form and the attached listing (just to be safe).