Wayne County Airport Authority
Wayne County Airport Authority

Disadvantaged Business Programs

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) 

The Wayne County Airport Authority (Airport Authority) receives federal funds for airport improvement projects. As such, the Airport Authority is mandated to have a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, which includes Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBEs). It is the Airport Authority’s policy that DBEs shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of construction and professional service contracts, and that ACDBEs shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of concession and management services contracts. The rules and regulations governing the DBE and ACDBE Program are found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 23 and 26. All contractors performing work for the Airport Authority under federal grant programs are required to take all necessary and reasonable steps, as defined in 49 CFR, Parts 23 and 26, for DBEs and ACDBEs to participate on contracts without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex.

In complying with the above referenced regulations, the Airport Authority sets triennial DBE and ACDBE overall goals. The current 3-Year DBE goal is as follows:

The Airport Authority reviews overall goals each year for DBE and ACDBE participation in construction, professional services, concessions and management services contracts. DBE and ACDBE, per 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26, are defined as follows:

  • A DBE is a for-profit small business owned and controlled by individuals that are both socially and economically disadvantaged
  • An ACDBE is a for-profit concession owned and controlled by individuals that are both socially and economically disadvantaged

DBE and/or ACDBE certification is obtained through an application process conducted by any one of three (3) Michigan Unified Certification Program (MUCP) certifying agencies. A firm must be certified in Michigan in order for its work to count towards meeting a DBE or an ACDBE goal set by the Airport Authority.

WCAA (AC)DBE Programs

DBE and ACDBE Program Administration

The Airport Authority works diligently to set realistic DBE and ACDBE goals during the Pre-Contract Award phase of contract solicitations. Additionally, the Airport Authority closely tracks and monitors contractors’ DBE or ACDBE participation achievement during the Post-Contract Award phase. As such, contractors participating on these types of projects at Detroit Metro and Willow Run Airports must submit monthly participation reports to the Airport Authority to be deemed compliant, under their agreement. Compliance further requires the active monitoring of contractors’ progress toward their DBE or ACDBE commitment. Monitoring includes on and off-airport work site inspections, including contractors’ and concessionaires’ administration offices and warehouses.

Pre-Contract Award Phase - During the Pre-Contract Award Phase, Prime Contractors are required to submit their proposed DBE plan or ACDBE plan. Pre-contract award DBE and ACDBE forms are part of the solicitation process and included in any solicitation that has federal funds associated with the contract.

Post-Contract Award Phase - During the Post-Contract Award Phase, Prime Contractors are required to submit monthly reports of DBE or ACDBE participation. 

For further information on the DBE and ACDBE Program, contact the Airport Authority’s Business Diversity Unit at (734) 247-7900 or email business.diversity@wcaa.us.

Prompt Payment

Pursuant to 49 CFR 26.29 and the WCAA DBE Program, prime contractors on federally assisted contracts must pay all subcontractors for satisfactory performance of their contracts no later than ten (10) calendar days after the prime contractor has received a partial payment from the Airport Authority. When the Airport Authority has made an incremental acceptance of a portion of a prime contract, the work of a subcontractor covered by that acceptance is deemed to be satisfactorily completed. Prime contractors are also required to promptly return full payment of subcontractor retainage within ten (10) calendar days after the subcontractor's work is satisfactorily completed.


The following report lists the WCAA payment dates for all active federally assisted contracts and is updated on a weekly basis: CY2023 Prompt Payment Report.

If there are any prompt payment violations/concerns please submit a complaint to business.diversity@wcaa.us with the subject "Prompt Payment - Attn: DBE Liaison Officer".

Michigan Unified Certification Program (MUCP)

DBE and ACDBE certifications are obtained through one of three Michigan certifying agencies of the MUCP. The MUCP and certifying agencies internet links are as follows:

DBEs and ACDBEs may be certified by only one MUCP agency, however the certification will be honored by all federal DOT grant recipients in the state of Michigan (49CFR § 26.83 (b) (2)). A firm must be certified by a MUCP agency before the Airport Authority awards a contract in order for the firm’s work to be credited toward the achievement of a DBE or ACDBE goal set by the Airport Authority.