$1B Allocated to Improve Transportation & Expand Economy
Caltrans issued a press release stating their continued efforts to improve transportation and expand the state’s economy.
“Continuing the push to rebuild California’s infrastructure and spur job growth, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $1 billion to 107 transportation projects statewide, including $838 million from Proposition 1B, a transportation bond approved by voters in 2006. The remaining allocations came from assorted state and federal transportation accounts.”
Read the entire press release here.
Posted in 
Guide to Counting DBE Participation
Caltrans has posted a Guide to Counting DBE Participation ~ DBE, DBE Trucker, Broker, Manufacturer, Supplier, and DBE in Professional Services.
This document includes the following sections:
- Executive Summary
- Definition of Terms
- Counting DBE Participation
- Counting Trucking Participation Toward Individual Contract Goals
- Counting Broker Participation Toward Individual Contract Goals
- Counting Manufacturer/Supplier Participation Toward Individual Contract Goals
- Counting DBE in Professional Services Participation Toward Individual Contract Goals
- Compliance and Enforcement
- Trucking Equipment List
- Monthly DBE/UDBE Trucking Verification
View the entire document here.
Federal Government Enforces DBE Program
The US Dept of Justice announced the following:WASHINGTON – Two Michigan construction companies have agreed to pay the United States $1.407 million to resolve allegations that they knowingly submitted false claims relating to a federally funded construction project at Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport, the Justice Department announced today. The United States alleges that the companies, John Carlo Inc. and Angelo Iafrate Construction Company, falsely claimed that they had used Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) for part of the work on the project when they had not. The DBE program provides assistance to businesses owned by minorities, women, and other socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to enter federally-funded construction and design industries.
Continue reading the press release.
State Allocates $141 Million to Upgrade Transportation Infrastructure and Drive Economic Growth
Caltrans issued a press release today detailing the allocation of $141 million to improve the state’s highways
and increase economic growth. Read the entire Caltrans press release.
Confused About Certifications?
|
Certification |
Description |
Purpose |
|
DBE (Federal) |
A DBE is a for-profit small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. These individuals must be citizens of the United States and be: (1) an individual whom a recipient finds to be a socially and economically disadvantaged individual on a case-by-case basis, or (2) either Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, Subcontinent Asian American, female, or any other group found to be socially and economically disadvantaged by the SBA. |
US DOT mandates that all state departments of transportation implement a DBE program if they are receiving federal transportation funding. DBE certification is used by Caltrans and local agencies on transportation-related projects to assist small businesses competing for contracts. Overall and/or project-specific goals may be established to create a “level playing field” for small businesses. The DBE directory is maintained by Caltrans. |
|
UDBE (Federal) |
A UDBE is a firm that meets the definition of DBE and is a member of one of the following groups:
|
The 2007 Caltrans Disparity Study recognized statistically significant disparity in their utilization of DBEs on previously awarded transportation contracts. The designation UDBE is used to encourage small business participation by these minority groups and separate UDBE goals may apply. The use of UDBE goals is also known as race conscious. |
|
DVBE (State) |
DVBE certification requires businesses:
For DVBE certification purposes, a “disabled veteran” is:
|
The DGS-Procurement Division, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services is the State’s certifying agency that administers the DVBE Certification Program. State agencies have a goal to award at least 3% of their annual contract dollars to certified DVBEs. The state agency decides whether or not to include the DVBE participation requirements in a particular solicitation and the percentage of the goal, if it is included. |
|
MBE/WBE (State) |
“Minority-owned” is a business at least 51% owned by one or more minority individuals, and whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more minority individuals. Recognized minorities include Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans, among others. “Woman-owned” is a business at least 51% owned by one or more women, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women. |
MBE/WBE goals no longer apply to state contracting. Prop 209 directed that certification be based upon firm size and income. “The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.” |
|
SBA 8(a) (Federal) |
SBA 8(a) firms are owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. They meet applicable size standards for small business concerns; have been in business for at least two years; display reasonable success potential; and display good character. |
The SBA administers a business assistance program for small disadvantaged businesses. The program is the 8(a) Business Development Program. The 8(a) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to firms. There are many federal contracts awarded to 8(a) firms through set-asides. |
|
SBE (State) |
An SBE is independently owned and operated; not dominant in field of operation; is located in California; the owners live in California; and meets size restrictions. Some SBEs are also micro businesses. |
The DGS-Procurement Division, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services is the State’s certifying agency that administers the Small Business Certification Program. Many State contracts contain SBE goals. |
Calculating Your Agency DBE & UDBE Goals
Caltrans 
and UC Berkeley have produced an online training designed to assist local agencies in preparing the necessary goal and methodology for their DBE Programs. This comprehensive training course covers the following:
- The new race conscious DBE requirements
- Calculating the AADPL with both race neutral and race conscious components
- Calculating contract-specific goals
- Race neutral measures
- Good Faith Effort
- Reporting on DBE & UDBE participation
Take the online course and learn more about developing and administering your DBE program.
SBA Releases Final Women-Owned Small Business Rule
The US Small Business Administration released it’s final Women-Owned Small Business Rule to expand access to federal contracting opportunities. The new program will be available in early 2011 for small, women-owned firms. Read the entire press release here.
Helpful Websites
There are many websites which are helpful when developing and administering your local DBE program. Please use these resources as a guide to help you with your DBE program.
California Unified Certification Program (CUCP)
DOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Common Acronyms
There are many acronyms associated with public transportation contracting. Here are some of the most common acronyms.
AADPL – Annual Anticipated DBE Percentage Level
This is the overall goal based on demonstrated evidence of the availability of DBEs relative to all businesses that are ready, willing and able to participate on Federally funded contracts.
CFR – Code of Federal Regulations
The Code of Federal Regulations is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation.
CUCP – California United Certification Program
The California Unified Certification Program provides “one-stop shopping” certification services to small, minority and women businesses seeking to participate as a DBE on contracts funded by the U.S. Dept of Transportation.
DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
A for-profit small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. These individuals must be citizens of the United States and be: (1) an individual whom a recipient finds to be a socially and economically disadvantaged individual on a case-by-case basis, or (2) either Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, Subcontinent Asian American, female, or any other group found to be socially and economically disadvantaged by the U.S. SBA.
GFE – Good Faith Effort
Federal funding requires primes bidding on contracts to meet advertised DBE or UDBE goals on projects. If they are unable to meet this goal, they must demonstrate that a “Good Faith Effort” was made to solicit and hire DBe or UDBE firms.
LAPM – Local Assistance Procedures Manual
The Local Assistance Procedures Manual is a Caltrans document that describes the various procedures required to process Federal and State funded local transportation projects.
NAICS – North American Industry Classification System
NAICS is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.
UDBE – Underutilized Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
DBE classes that have been determined in the 2007 Caltrans Disparity Study to have a statistically significant disparity in their utilization in previously awarded transportation contracts. Underutilized DBEs include: Black Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and females.
AGC comments on Obama’s Transportation Investment Proposal
The ACG issued a press release regarding President Obama’s Transportation Investment proposal. The AGC contends that the Obama Administration proposal, while needed, is no substitute for a long-overdue six-year surface transportation bill.
Read the press release here.
