Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses
Active
- Assistance listing
- 20.910
- Agency
-
Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Department of Transportation
- Grant awards
- 69 $33,242,859 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Small Business Transportation Resource Centers
- Assistance types
-
- Cooperative Agreement
- Project Grant
- Formula Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 69-0119-0-1-407
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), funds regional Small Business Transportation Resource Centers and Technical Assistance Centers that provide business counseling, bonding education, access-to-capital workshops, and technical assistance to small and disadvantaged transportation businesses seeking to compete for DOT-funded and federal transportation-related contracts, CFDA 20.910, with multiple opportunities currently open through October 31, 2026.
The program has remained consistently active since 2008, with 69 total federal grant awards totaling $33.2 million obligated. Recent award activity shows 8 awards in 2023 and 1 award in 2024 (the most recent dated February 1, 2024), with a typical three-year re-competition cycle allowing for two optional extension years based on performance. The award portfolio is dominated by Cooperative Agreements at 94 percent of all awards, with smaller shares of Formula Grants and Project Grants. The OSDBU accounts for 44 awards ($26.3 million federal dollars obligated) and the broader Department of Transportation accounts for 25 awards ($7 million federal dollars obligated), making OSDBU the clear funder concentration. Recent awards range from $16 thousand to $246 thousand, with a Northeast regional center receiving $246,400 for business counseling, bonding education, women and girls in transportation initiatives, and access-to-capital workshops.
Eligible applicants include established 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations, community colleges, minority educational institutions, tribal colleges, universities, and state governments. Awards are made for a minimum of 12 months with up to two option years based on performance and funds availability. Selection is pass/fail based on approach and strategy, linkages, organizational capability, staff capabilities and experience, and cost.
Multiple grant opportunities posted October 1, 2026, with due date October 31, 2026, seek to establish regional Small Business Transportation Technical Assistance Centers (SBTTACs)—the rebranded successor to SBTRCs—for Regions 1, 3, and 4. Region 4 (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, and Tennessee) solicitation specifies an exact federal award of $250,143.33 for a 10-month base year with two option years. Earlier opportunities posted July 31, 2026, for Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 with August 30, 2026 due dates include a recorded informational webinar from August 3, 2026. The program is actively re-competing across multiple regions with relatively tight application timelines.
Objective and description
- 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
- 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.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
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.
- Beneficiary eligibility
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.
- Uses of assistance
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.)
- Use restrictions
Restrictions on how funding award may be used are included in the cooperative agreement awards.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Awards are generally made for a minimum of 12 months with 2 option years based on performance and funds availability
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Proposals are rated as pass/fail based on the following factors: Approach and Strategy; Linkages; Organizational Capability; Staff Capabilities and Experience; and Cost.
- 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.
- Renewals
Awards competed, at a minimum of, every 3 years. OSDBU has the option to extend the grant beyond the 1st year for two additional option years, without re-competing the grant
Grant opportunities
Show all 38
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 69 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Mexican American Chamber Of Commerce Of Illinois, Inc. | $3,216,303 | 10% |
| 2 | National Institute Of Minority Economic Development | $3,051,960 | 9% |
| 3 | Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance, Inc. | $2,551,262 | 8% |
| 4 | The Enterprise Center | $2,500,257 | 8% |
| 5 | Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce | $2,430,458 | 7% |
| 6 | California Asian Pacific Chamber Of Commerce | $2,314,662 | 7% |
| 7 | Hoya Foundation | $2,157,107 | 6% |
| 8 | Research Foundation Of The City University Of New York | $2,121,585 | 6% |
| 9 | Helping Hand Community Development Corporation, Inc. | $1,883,232 | 6% |
| 10 | Center For Business Employment Development | $1,429,534 | 4% |
10 of 35 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | -$24,335 |
| FY2025 | -$30,478 |
| FY2024 | $4,177,435 |
| FY2023 | $1,193,257 |
| FY2022 | $2,558,271 |
| FY2021 | $2,763,475 |
| FY2020 | $2,573,867 |
| FY2019 | $2,647,319 |
| FY2018 | $2,294,531 |
| FY2017 | $3,061,126 |
| FY2016 | $6,009,871 |
| FY2015 | $1,309,734 |
| FY2014 | $2,201,894 |
| FY2013 | $730,332 |
| FY2012 | $1,353,457 |
| FY2011 | $1,064,022 |
| FY2009 | $135,000 |
| FY2008 | $615,094 |
Show all 18
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 20.910?
Assistance Listing 20.910 is Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses, a federal grant program run by Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation (Department of Transportation).
What is the CFDA number for Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses?
Its CFDA number is 20.910: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 20.910 awarded?
69 grant awards under 20.910 have obligated $33,242,859 in federal funds to 35 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 20.910?
The recipients obligated the most under Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses are The Mexican American Chamber Of Commerce Of Illinois, Inc. ($3,216,303), National Institute Of Minority Economic Development ($3,051,960) and Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance, Inc. ($2,551,262).
How much did 20.910 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 20.910 obligated -$30,478 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 20.910?
3 listed opportunities under 20.910 are open or forecasted. The latest, Small Business Transportation Technical Assistance Center (Region 1), was posted on October 1, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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