New DBE Trucking Contract Process Embraces Equity and Inclusion

25 Jan

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) are moving forward to develop a new change in construction contract framework to include disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) trucking companies as subcontractors. MDOT will collect roster data from DBE truckers and post to a public website the number of DBE trucking companies, types of trucks, and work …

FAA Goal-Setting Schedule

10 Jan

The Federal Aviation Administration has released a revised schedule for DBE and ACDBE Reporting Requirements for Airport Grant Recipients. https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2021-12/FAAGoalsDueChart%20New_Final.pdf

Members of Congress urge Transportation Department to support FRA business program

27 Jul

Transportation Today released an article on the support of a DBE program within the Federal Railroad Administration. “A total of 58 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including the Congressional Black Caucus, recently sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging the agency to support a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) program within the Federal Railroad Administration.” Read …

U.S. DOT Announces Expanded Local Hire and Workforce Development Pilot Programs

24 May

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today announced expanded construction hiring and workforce development pilot programs to be managed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). “As we invest in world-class infrastructure for Americans, we want to make sure that our investments create jobs for people in the communities where the projects …

Caltrans Division of Local Assistance (DLA) DBE Procedure Updates

15 Sep

On September 4, 2020 the DLA office issued Office Bulletin 20-04 to provide several updates to DBE procedures for LAPM Chapter 9 and related exhibits. Click here for a copy of the full bulletin. Key areas updated include the following: LAPM Section 9 9-A, DBE Implementation Agreement 9-B, Local Agency DBE Annual Submittal Form 10-R, A&E Sample Contract Language 12-G, …

Wisconsin Accountant Sentenced in Disadvantaged Business Fraud Scheme

03 Sep

On August 19, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin sentenced Mark F. Spindler to 3 months’ incarceration, 36 months’ supervised release, 100 hours of community service in disadvantaged/minority areas, a $7,500 fine, and a $100 special assessment. On January 24, 2020, Spindler—owner of the accounting firm Komisar & Spindler in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin—was convicted by …

FTA Guidance on COVID-19

06 May

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners to provide guidance to the public transportation industry in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Today, FTA posted 13 new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding COVID-19 on its website that cover Administrative Relief, Civil Rights, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) …

Save Small Business Fund

20 Apr

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has set up a new Save Small Business Fund in partnership with Vistaprint and a coalition of supporting companies, foundations and donors. The fund is providing $5,000 in short-term relief to employers across the country. These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between three and 20 employees and operate in an …

DBE/ACDBE Program Guidance During COVID-19

07 Apr

The U.S. Department of Transportation approved guidance addressing Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE) program requirements during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This guidance supplements the March 24, 2020 guidance and addresses the following 7 topics: Steps to ensure public participation in the goal setting process; DBE/ACDBE overall goal methodology due dates; “Commercially useful function” (CUF) reviews …