The Compliance Buzz

GCAP's blog dedicated to providing up to date content on all things compliance related including news, regulatory updates, and original GCAP content.

June 9, 2022

SANDAG Develops Magazine Highlighting DBE/SBE Program Success on the Mid-Coast Trolley Mega-Project

GCAP Services, Inc. is proud to have provided tremendous support to SANDAG in creating and developing their first-ever magazine publication featuring the success of the Disadvantaged […]
May 24, 2022

USDOT Info Session on Transportation Equity

On May 25, from 2pm ET – 3pm ET, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will host a virtual Info Session on Transportation Equity. Register here. Done right, equitable […]
April 28, 2022

California Company Agrees To Pay $650,000 as Part of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement for DBE Violations

On April 8, 2022, G&C Equipment Corporation (G&C), a California-based construction materials supplier, entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for […]
April 27, 2022

USDOT Equity Action Plan

The U.S. Department of Transportation has released an Equity Action Plan that highlights work that the U.S. Department of Transportation will undertake across four focus areas […]
March 30, 2022

Whistleblower Contractor Exposes Competitor’s Alleged DBE Fraud

Two St. Louis-area contractors settled a disadvantaged business enterprise fraud case with federal authorities after a competitor exposed the alleged fraud using a law that dates […]
March 22, 2022

Legislation Helps Minority and Women Owned Businesses Compete for Infrastructure Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and U.S. Reps. Pete Aguilar and Jimmy Gomez (all D-Calif.) March 3, announced a package of legislation to help […]
March 8, 2022

Increased DBE/ACDBE Size Standards

The Department of Transportation issued a final rule on December 14, 2020, applicable to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) program regarding an annual inflationary adjustment to […]
March 1, 2022

FFY 2023-2024 Triennial Goals- START NOW!

Direct recipients of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding are required to establish triennial DBE goals for a three-year period. If your triennial goal is set to […]
February 12, 2022

How the MTA meets its diverse contracting goals in the era of COVID-19

Michael Garner, the MTA’s chief diversity officer, discusses how the agency’s minority- and women-owned business program has met the challenges of the pandemic in an interview […]
February 11, 2022

NAICS Code Updates for 2022

The 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 […]
February 8, 2022

U.S. Settles Dispute Over DBE Fraud

U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Illinois issued the following announcement on Jan. 27. FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – United Ironworkers (“United”), D&K Welding Services (“D&K”), Kim […]
January 25, 2022

New DBE Trucking Contract Process Embraces Equity and Inclusion

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 […]
January 10, 2022

FAA Goal-Setting Schedule

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
December 1, 2021

DBE Program Overview

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) DBE Program seeks to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department’s highway, transit, and […]
November 24, 2021

Congressional subcommittee looks into why $66B of infrastructure funds won’t target minority contractors

The Federal Railroad Administration, unlike DOT, doesn’t have an established program to award contracts to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Part of the promise of the $1.2 trillion […]
April 1, 2020

FAA Guidance: ACDBE Joint Venture Agreements

The Federal Aviation Administration Office of Civil Rights continues its effort to promote awareness of all the resources and information available to Airport Grant recipients and […]
January 28, 2020

Wisconsin Accountant Guilty of Conspiracy to Obtain Over $260 Million in Small Business Contracts

United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced that on January 24, 2020, a jury found Mark F. Spindler of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, guilty of conspiracy to […]
January 28, 2020

Feds charge SF Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru with fraud

Federal authorities charged San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru and high-profile restaurateur Nick Bovis with fraud Tuesday following a public corruption probe. The schemes involved […]
January 14, 2020

DBE Files Discrimination Lawsuit Against City of Los Angeles

Complaint alleges city discriminated against Clean Up America, Inc. LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ –Clean Up America, Inc and Deontay Potter filed a lawsuit Case No. 18STVC04176 against The City […]
November 6, 2019

Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Prison for DBE Fraud Scheme

On November 6, 2019, Stamatios “Tom” Kousisis was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to 70 months’ imprisonment, 36 months’ supervised release, and $18,600 in […]
October 31, 2019

New York Painting Contractor Settles DBE Fraud Allegations

On October 31, 2019, Ahern Paining Contractors, Inc. (Ahern), of Woodside, New York, entered into a civil settlement agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District […]
October 16, 2019

Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Joint Venture Guidance

As guidance, this document sets forth the interpretations of the Department of Transportation of its existing legal authorities and the Department’s recommendations for carrying out the […]
October 9, 2019

File a Complaint with FTA

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has released instructions for how to file a complaint. FTA processes complaints under the following programs: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): […]
September 19, 2019

All ‘Native American’ DBE Certifications Under Review by DOT

The LA Times published an article by Paul Pringle and Adam Elmahrek, entitled “Minority contractors claiming to be ‘Native American’ to undergo nationwide review.” A portion […]
September 5, 2019

Independent Contractors in Question After California Employment Bill Passes

AB-5 Worker Status: Employees and Independent Contractors This bill is an act to amend the Labor Code and Unemployment Insurance Code following the decision in Dynamex […]
July 27, 2017

Caltrans A&E Contract Training Survey

A&E Contract Training is one of the many tools the Division of Local Assistance provides to local agencies. The goal of this survey is to receive feedback that […]
July 27, 2017

FHWA Approval of A&E Consultants in a Management Support Role

All Local Public Agencies that solicit to hire A&E consultant(s) in a management support role must obtain FHWA approval prior to contract execution. This authority is […]
July 26, 2017

Senate Bill 1 Workshop Schedule

As part of the California Transportation Commissions (CTC) Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Implementation Plan, a series of workshops is being offered to State and Federal Agencies, Tribal Governments, […]
July 24, 2017

FTA Updates its Award Management Requirements Circular (5010.1E)

FTA has updated its Award Management Requirements Circular (FTA Circular 5010.1E) to provide better understanding and clarity regarding: FTA’s pre-award authority; Extensions to the award end date […]
July 14, 2017

Annual Equal Employment Opportunity Report: FORM FHWA-1391

Construction contractors who perform work on Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) assisted contracts are required to report annually on the composition of their workforce by race, gender, […]
July 12, 2017

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $226.5 Million Funding Opportunity to Improve Transit Bus Service

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the opportunity to apply for approximately $226.5 million in competitive grant funding for transit bus projects […]
June 26, 2017

Attend a Webinar on Required DBE Goals for FTA Subrecipients

Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 26 (49 CFR 26) establishes requirements for the use of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) on all federally-funded […]
June 13, 2017

Caltrans Workshop: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification

Mon, June 26, 2017 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM PDT California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 7 Los Angeles 100 South Main Street Los Angeles, CA […]
May 26, 2017

FHWA Approval of Architectural and Engineering (A&E) Consultants in a Management Support Role

FHWA – California Division would like to ‘highlight’ the approval action process in circumstances where a local public agency (LPA) elects to contract with an Architectural  […]
May 19, 2017

2017 Small Business Summit

June 1, 2017 The Small Business Summit Group, Inc. in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office and the Los Angeles World […]
May 6, 2017

USDOT Bonding Education Program

What is a Surety Bond? A surety bond is legally binding contract between a Principal, Obligee, and a Guarantor. In the transportation construction industry the Principal […]
May 3, 2017

USDOT Small Business Certification Programs

If your small business is not certified, then you should consider the benefits of having your business become certified. Having your small business certified is similar […]
April 26, 2017

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program is a scholarship-based program (paid for by Goldman Sachs) for qualified small business owners who are interested in growing […]
April 19, 2017

NAICS code update for 2017

NAICS code update for 2017 The United States Census Bureau recently published its 2017 update to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). This process is […]
April 6, 2017

Caltrans Local Assistance Consultant Procurement Manual

Caltrans Division of Local Assistance has released a Local Assistance Consultant Procurement Manual. This manual is available for local agencies to adopt as their own procurement procedures. […]
March 23, 2017

Arizona Department of Transportation Program Helps Minority Businesses Grow

View video Line by line, it’s the intricate detail that Falcon Contracting considers a hallmark of its work. Even those who have never heard of the […]
March 22, 2017

MBDA Releases Report on Contracting Barriers Impacting Minority Firms

Minority Business Development Agency Releases Report on Contracting Barriers Impacting Minority Firms The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency today released a new report, […]
February 27, 2017

Discrimination Lawsuit Against Washington State DOT

Elton Mason, owner of Washington State Trucking, has filed a discrimination lawsuit against WSDOT, Seattle Tunnel Partners and other entities with the U.S. District Court in […]
February 12, 2017

DGS Commercially Useful Function for SB & DVBE

Performing a Commercially Useful Function is a critical requirement of doing business with the state. As such, the Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business […]
February 11, 2017

DGS Adoption of Small Business Regulations Revisions

The Department of General Services, Procurement Division, Office of Small Business & Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS) has revised California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title […]
February 11, 2017

Caltrans: What if you only receive 1 A&E proposal?

The Caltrans Division of Local Assistance is excited to announce a new informational tool for local agencies – the Selected Shorts Video Series.  These videos will […]
February 8, 2017

USDOT Approves Separate Goals for Women and African American Businesses

On Jan. 19, 2017, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx approved a waiver of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations to allow the San Francisco Municipal […]
January 26, 2017

Caltrans LAPM 2017 Edition

Caltrans Division of Local Assistance is pleased to present the 2017 edition of the Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM). This 2017 edition incorporates all updates, changes, […]
January 18, 2017

Caltrans Training through LTAP

The California Department of Transportation Division of Local Assistance has partnered with Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE) to provide trainings and technical assistance as […]
January 18, 2017

MBDA Releases Report on Contracting Barriers Impacting Minority Firms

Minority Business Development Agency Releases Report on Contracting Barriers Impacting Minority Firms PR Newswire January 18, 2017 WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. Department […]
January 15, 2017

DGS FY 2015 – 16 Consolidated Annual Report

The Department of General Services (DGS) is pleased to announce the release of the 2015 –16 Consolidated Annual Report (CAR).  Public Contract Code (PCC) §  10111 […]