The ESBE program is a race and gender neutral program designed to provide select contracting opportunities to small, economically disadvantaged businesses. The program runs concurrently with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program on federally-funded projects.  The program uses the same eligibility criteria as its DBE program, with one exception: the owner is not required to be a socially disadvantaged group member. If your firm is certified as a DBE, ESBE certification is automatic. NJDOT provides a directory [pdf 50K] of certified ESBEs, including DBEs that qualify as ESBEs.  ESBE certification must be renewed each year.