External Civil Rights Programs Division



Training, Policy Guidance, and Civil Rights Monitoring


  • Provides training and case-related technical assistance to DOCR and operating administrations' (OA) civil rights staff.

  • Provides policy advice and guidance to OAs and the general public on external civil rights programs and requirements.

  • Reviews and comments on regulations as they pertain to the external civil rights program.

  • Handles intake and referral of external civil rights complaints.

  • Monitors external civil rights complaints and the OAs' complaint handling; tracks and reports on DOT's external civil rights complaints.

  • Coordinates with other Government agencies to ensure civil rights laws are implemented uniformly.



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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Appeals and Training for Recipients


  • Determines the validity of appeals of denial of certification or improper certification under the DBE program pursuant to appeal processing guidelines.

  • Conducts nationwide reviews of certification appeals.

  • Identifies evidence of fraud in the DBE certification process and determines which cases warrant referral to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for formal investigation.

  • Conducts training for recipients of DOT funds with responsibility for granting DBE certification requests to ensure standardization and for firms wishing to participate in the DBE program.



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Contact Information


U.S. Department of Transportation
Departmental Office of Civil Rights
External Civil Rights Programs Division (S-33)
1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E.
Washington, DC 20590
Phone: (202) 366-4070     TTY: (202) 366-9696
Fax: (202) 366-5575