Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
• Through the Bonding Education Program, SBTRCs assisted small businesses in obtaining $372,719,000 in bonding capacity in FY 2024.
• In FY 2024, the 11 Centers, working collectively, supported small businesses in securing $122,595,068 in federal awards.
• In FY 2024, SBTRCs provided technical assistance to 1,464 small businesses nationwide, strengthening small business capacity, competitiveness, and access to federal opportunities.
Program Objective
The Small Business Transportation Resource Centers (SBTRCs) are administered under the Minority Resource Center (MRC) Program codified at 49 U.S.C. § 332(b) (4), (5) & (7). This statute directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), through its Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), to provide assistance, advocacy, and outreach to small businesses in the transportation industry. The MRC fulfills this mandate through business training, technical assistance, access to capital, and opportunities for participation in transportation-related projects and contracts.
Funding to carry out the MRC Program and its related initiatives, including the SBTRCs, is provided through annual appropriations by Congress to the USDOT Office of the Secretary (OST) under the budget heading: “Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Minority Resource Center (MRC).
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Nonprofit Organization
Established 501 C(6) tax-exempt Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations and 501 C(3) nonprofit organization, community colleges, minority educational institutions, tribal colleges and universities that have the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully operate and administer a coordinated, Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) within their regions.
Beneficiaries
- Small Business Person
For the purpose of small businesses—as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Small Business Act—are independently owned and operated firms that meet SBA size standards based on industry classifications. These standards determine eligibility for federal programs and contracting opportunities designed to support and strengthen small business participation in the national economy.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel and selection will be made based upon the evaluation criteria included in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). The Department of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will award the Cooperative Agreements.
Program details & compliance
Description
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) established the Small Business Transportation Resource Centers (SBTRCs) through a network of grantees across the country. The SBTRCs work closely with the transportation contracting community and other technical assistance providers to serve small transportation businesses. SBTRCs provide an array of technical assistance to build the capacity of small businesses to assist them become more competitive when bidding on DOT procurement opportunities and federally funded contracts.
Mission Categories
Primary: Small Business
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funds will support the SBTRC in delivering technical assistance, training, counseling, outreach, and capacity-building services to transportation-related small businesses. This includes:
Assessing small business needs and structuring training and assistance programs.
Providing general management, technical assistance, and documenting all services in OSDBU’s CRM.
Offering at least 20 hours per month of one-on-one and group business counseling in coordination with federal, state, local, and nonprofit partners.
Conducting Access to Capital workshops and assisting clients with preparing and securing loan applications.
Establishing and supporting a 10-member Regional Planning Committee to align regional transportation initiatives and share procurement information.
Conducting targeted outreach, maintaining a regional small business database, participating in conferences, and supporting opportunity-matching activities.
Implementing at least two Bonding Education Program cycles, including workshops, readiness assessments, and follow-on assistance. (BEP events are separately funded.)
Restrictions
Restrictions on how funding award may be used are included in the cooperative agreement awards.
Required Documentation
Must be an established 501 C(3) or 501 C(6) tax exempt organization and provide documentation as verification. No application will be accepted without proof of IRS tax exempt status. Have at least one year of documented and continuous experience prior to the date of application in providing advocacy, outreach, and technical assistance to small businesses within the region in which proposed services will be provided. Have an office physically located within the proposed city in the designated headquarters state in the region for which applicant is submitting the proposal that is readily accessible to the public.
2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements