Click here to subscribe to DOT updates.
November 16th
Small Business Technical Assistance Resources and Programs
Secretary Anthony Foxx is committed to furthering the goals and objectives of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and ensuring its success for the small disadvantaged firms that seek contracting opportunities funded by state and local governments, and public transit and airport sponsors. It is vitally important that these businesses are aware of the resources and services that the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) has to offer. The OSDBU’s Small Business Transportation Resource Centers, in 13 locations throughout the country, provide essential business assistance services including bonding education, short-term lending opportunities, networking events, free business coaching, technical workshops and information on procurement opportunities. Read about the OSDBU’s services tailored for DBEs.
November 7th
Final Rule Changes Effective as of November 3, 2014 and Revised Forms Available
The Department’s Final Rule, issued by Secretary Foxx on October 2, 2014, took effect November 3rd. The final rule improves DBE program implementation in three major areas.
- First, the rule revises the uniform certification application and reporting forms, creates a uniform personal net worth (PNW) form for use by applicant owners, and collects data required by the Department’s surface transportation reauthorization, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
- Second, the rule strengthens the certification-related program provisions, which include adding a new section authorizing summary suspensions under specified circumstances.
- Third, the rule modifies several other program provisions concerning such subjects as: overall goal setting, good faith efforts, transit vehicle manufacturers, and counting for trucking companies.
Join us for a Recorded Presentation of the Final Rule
A recorded presentation with six DBE experts from U.S. DOT is now posted, which you can view at any time. The hour-long presentation describes the changes the rule provides, breaking down each section of the new rule into easy to follow segments. Click here to view.
The Department has issued a final rule amending its disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) program at 49 CFR Part 26. The final rule improves DBE program implementation in three major areas.
First, the rule revises the uniform certification application and reporting forms, creates a uniform personal net worth form for use by applicant owners, and collects data required by the Department’s surface transportation reauthorization, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
Second, the rule strengthens the certification-related program provisions, which includes adding a new section authorizing summary suspensions under specified circumstances.
Third, the rule modifies several other program provisions concerning such subjects as: overall goal setting, good faith efforts, transit vehicle manufacturers, and counting for trucking companies.
October 20th
Stakeholder Meeting Explores DBE Utilization
The Departmental Office of Civil Rights’ October 20, 2014, stakeholder meeting featured a robust discussion of the concepts of DBE utilization and the implementation of business development programs. We sought input from public and private sector participants on whether additional data collection and reporting by recipients as recommended by the Office of Inspector General in its 2013 report will yield tangible benefits to improvement of the DBE program. Questions posed at the event can be viewed here.
Many participants thought, as a first step, that it would be important to collect information on the number and identity of DBEs that obtain contracts, how long they have been in the program, and potential reasons why certified DBEs have not received work. Participants discussed, at length, possible measures of business development such as growth in revenue or number of employees, increased bonding limits, and overall number of contracts a firm obtains in comparison to firms of similar size. This information would be difficult to obtain without surveying DBEs; and participants were reluctant to recommend any type of data collection without, first, a careful analysis. Some participants expressed the view that while some of that data is available, it is available through many different sources. Commenters also discussed key reasons to consider why DBEs may not receive work. Expect to receive more information on this topic after we have an opportunity to more thoroughly consider and analyze the feedback from stakeholders. Please feel free to view pictures from the event here.
We plan to have more stakeholder meetings on DBE matters as we work to strengthen the DBE program.
October 20th
Introducing DOT's DBE News
DBE News is a fresh way that DOCR will provide you with current information related to the Department’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and updates. Specifically, DBE News will feature stories and announcements on upcoming speaking engagements, policy and regulatory developments, and other significant information that is important for the program’s recipients, DBEs and other stakeholders to know.
Have you seen DOT’s 4 minute DBE primer? It’s a short animated video explaining the program that can be shared with DBEs and recipient administrators alike.
DOT's DBE Program Video
DOT's DBE Program Video on YouTube
For more DBE program related information, please visit our website. There, you will find information about the DBE program, the current regulation and preambles, official DOT guidance, a link to the DBE appeal and denial database, useful training tools, and other information.
Today, the Departmental Office of Civil Rights hosted its first DBE stakeholder meeting. The facilitated meeting was held at DOT Headquarters and addressed the topics of DBE utilization and business development. The next edition of DBE News will provide highlights from the meeting and photos.
February 8th
Secretary Foxx witnesses the opening of the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge
The Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge this bridge is especially important for the DBE program because on this particular project, 117 different women- and minority- owned companies received 246 contracts worth more than 114 million dollars. Read the Secretary's speech: http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/stan-musial-veterans-memorial-bridge.
February 5th
Secretary Foxx Signed an Oder on Coordination and Oversight of the DBE Program
The Department is committed to realizing the goals and objectives of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program set forth at 49 C.F.R. Parts 23 and 26, maintaining a program that meets constitutional requirements and ensuring the integrity of the DBE program overall. On February 5, 2014, Secretary Foxx signed an order on coordination and oversight of the DBE program clearly defining roles and responsibilities within our organization to ensure that all offices within the Department are working efficiently, effectively, and cohesively towards the success of the program. The Departmental Office of Civil Rights (DOCR) acts as the lead office in the Office of the Secretary (OST) for the DBE program. Other offices include additional elements from OST, the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)—as well as the three OAs distributing financial assistance to DOT recipients-the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration. The OAs will continue to be the first points of contact regarding, and be primarily responsible for overseeing and enforcing, the day-to-day administration of the program by recipients. The following critical documents are available:
Open Letter from the Secretary
DOT Order 4220.1
DOT Response to the OIG