Construction Class/Bonding Education Program (BEP)

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Bonding Education Program (BEP) is a free program tailored to small businesses competing for construction-related contracts in the transportation industry. The program consists of a comprehensive set of sessions designed to provide small and disadvantaged businesses the tools and resources required to compete for transportation projects.

The Bonding Education Program's goals are to educate small contractors about industry challenges and to assist participants in their efforts to obtain surety bonds or increase their bonding capacity. Participants will interact with service providers and bond producers, and learn how to conduct business with local, state and federal transportation agencies.

BEP participants will have the opportunity to learn about:
  • Banking relationships
  • Bonding programs
  • Cash flow/financial statements
  • Construction accounting
  • Contract law
  • Financing resources
  • Insurance for contractors
  • Managing growth
  • Marketing
  • Understand overhead costs

*All classes are on hold due to COVID-19*


Bonding Program Eligibility:

  • In business for at least two (2) consecutive years
  • Annual revenue of at least $200,000
  • Minimum of four (4) full-time employees
  • At least a minimum of two (2) projects completed or in progress in the past 12 months
  • Main office located in the Bexar County Region
  • With one (1) or more of the following certifications and eligibility for DBE certification (if not already one):
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) 8(a) Business
Woman-owned Business (WBE) 8(m) Women-owned Business
Minority-owned Business (MBE) Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) HUBZone 
Veteran-Owned Service-Disabled Veteran