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What is an ESBE?

An ESBE, or Emerging Small Business Enterprise, is a for-profit small business where an economically disadvantaged individual(s) owns at least a 51% interest and also controls and manages the daily operations of the company. ESBE is a company-level certification used by businesses who wish to bid for federal highway project work with NJDOT.

To be eligible for ESBE certification, the firm must be a small business, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards, and be 51% owned and controlled by one or more economically disadvantaged individuals whose personal net worth does not exceed the personal net worth cap for the ESBE program.

Race, gender, and ethnicity are not considered when determining eligibility for the ESBE program.

ESBE Certification is usually intended for small sized companies to work on US Department of Transportation (federally assisted) contracts. NJDOT specifically looks for the following types of firms:

• Heavy Highway Construction
  • Concrete Paving
  • Asphalt Paving
  • Milling
  • Beam Guide Rail
  • Rumble Strip
  • Deck Joints
  • Traffic Stripes
  • Concrete Curb and Sidewalks
  • Pile Driving
  • Electrical Contractors (Highway Construction and Traffic Signals)
  • Underground Utility Contractors
  • Haulers – Truckers
  • Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors
  • Portable Toilet Providers
  • Highway Sweeping Contractors
  • Landscaping Contractors
  • Bridge Painters
• Engineering
• Urban Planning

The NJDOT ESBE Program is currently being updated while awaiting further guidance.