RDU Small Business Programs

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority is committed to creating a level playing field on which small businesses can participate in an environment that removes barriers, ensures non-discrimination, and provides the tools necessary to compete successfully in RDUAA contracts and procurements and the larger marketplace outside of the small business programs.

The Small Business Programs Office:

  • Serves as a liaison between small businesses and Airport Authority staff
  • Provides information and various referral services for small businesses
  • Assists Prime Contractors in identifying small businesses with which to achieve DBE/ACDBE participation goals
  • Educates small businesses on how to access contracting and procurement opportunities
  • Hosts and facilitates opportunities for networking and business development among firms interested in procurement and contracting opportunities
  • Monitors DBE/ACDBE participation in all Authority contracts and procurements

The Airport Authority administers two small business programs:

  • Small Business Program
  • Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE), including Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE)

Small Business Program

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has established a Small Business Program to encourage equal opportunity for small businesses (SBs) to compete for business opportunities with the Authority. A Small Business is any firm which has been certified to meet the following criteria: $3,000,000 or less in annual gross revenues averaged over the preceding five (5) years.

The following certifications may be used to meet the standard described above:

  • North Carolina Department of Transportation: Small Business Enterprise (NCDOT SBE)
  • North Carolina Department of Administration: Small Business Enterprise (NCDOA SBE)

Firms which are not currently SBE certified by NCDOA or NCDOT must apply for Small Business certification by submitting:

For more information on becoming a certified Small Business under the Authority’s Small Business program, please contact smallbusiness@rdu.com.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE)

The DBE Program was created to provide a level playing field for small companies that wish to do business with RDU on federally-funded contracts. The Airport Authority’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is administered in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

RDU DBE Program
Proposed FY 2026-2028 DBE Goal

DBE Certification

Businesses interested in becoming certified as DBEs must complete and submit an application through the N.C. Unified Certification Program (NCUCP) to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Upon approval, these companies can be used by RDU to meet the DBE goals for federally-funded contracts.

Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE)

The Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program is designed to increase the opportunities for small businesses to operate as concessionaires in the airport or provide goods and services related to the airport concessions program. The Airport Authority’s Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program is administered in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

ACDBE Program
FY 2024-2026 ACDBE Goals

ACDBE Certification

Firms seeking work as ACDBEs with the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority are certified through the airport’s Small Business Programs Office. Prospective business partners should complete the forms provided by NC DOT DBE and submit to RDU’s Small Business Programs Office.

Find Small Business Firms

RDUAA Directory
NCDOT Directory of Firms
NCDOA HUB Directory

Business Opportunity Events

View presentations from previous business opportunity events: https://www.rdu.com/businessexpo/

Contact

For more information on the Authority’s small business programs, contact the Small Business Programs Office: smallbusiness@rdu.com