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DBE Program Info

The Department’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally-assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracting markets nationwide. 

The primary remedial goal and objective of the SD DBE program is to level the playing field by providing small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.

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Funded through the Federal Highway Administration, the SDDOT DBE Business Development Program (BDP) is intended to support SD DBE program participants. The DBE Business Development program is designed to give you and your team the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to grow your business.

We work directly with you, the business owner, to identify organizational goals and areas of focus that will help move your business forward. We work hard to develop relationships with our clients to truly understand the personality and culture of your business so that we can uniquely tailor curriculum based on the current stage of your business and help determine growth strategies.
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Project Solutions, Inc. serves as the support services provider for the South Dakota DOT DBE program. As the support service provider, Project Solutions has a team of professionals that can help support your business, no matter the need. From application assistance while getting certified to business development after you have received your certification, here are some of the services we offer:

  • Application and Program Assistance
  • Business Development Training Opportunities
  • Capability Statement Development
  • Writing a Business Plan

Our resource library of training videos and other resources will be your go-to platform for taking your SD DBE business to the next level. Training videos on topics like:

  • Certified Payroll
  • Managing & Leading
  • Communication
  • Social Media
  • Job Costing
  • Onboarding and Employee Retention
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Announcements

Important Notice for South Dakota DBE Firms: Reevaluation Process Underway

South Dakota–based DBE firms that wish to be reevaluated for participation in the updated SDDOT DBE Program are encouraged to submit their Personal Narrative (PN) and Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement as soon as practicable.

Submitting reevaluation materials in a timely manner helps ensure firms are eligible to participate as certified DBEs once SDDOT completes the review process and resumes full DBE participation on federally funded projects. Prompt submissions also assist SDDOT in developing its federally required triennial DBE goal by establishing an accurate baseline of active, eligible DBE firms.

Project Solutions Inc. (PSI), the SDDOT Supportive Services provider, is available to assist firms with the preparation of their Personal Narrative as part of the reevaluation process. Firms seeking individualized support may request one‑on‑one assistance from a PSI consultant by emailing dbe@projectsolutionsinc.com.

Firms may submit their PN and PNW documents by emailing Kyle.Watkins@state.sd.us, or by contacting Kyle at 605.773.4906 to request access to a secure SharePoint folder for document upload.

Under current Interim Final Rule (IFR) requirements, all South Dakota DBE firms are temporarily listed as inactive until they complete the reevaluation process.
  • Firms that do not submit the required documentation will remain inactive, and their participation will not count toward DBE goals.
  • Firms that are not interested in moving forward at this time should notify Kyle Watkins of their decision.
  • Firms that are unsure may choose to submit their documents at a later date; reevaluation can occur at any time, but firms will remain inactive until the process is completed.
If you have questions regarding the reevaluation process or IFR requirements, please contact:

Kyle Watkins
SDDOT DBE Program Coordinator
605.773.4906
Kyle.Watkins@state.sd.us

Featured Article

Tax Tips for Small Business Owners

Now that tax season has just ended, you may find yourself looking ahead rather than back. Taxes are an unavoidable part of owning a business, but they don’t have to feel confusing or overwhelming. Whether you’ve just completed your first filing or you’ve been doing this year after year, a few core practices can make the process easier and help you avoid common issues. The most important mindset shift is recognizing that taxes are something you manage all year long—not just when deadlines loom.

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