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.

November 15, 2021

Minority business owners say they face discrimination in rail industry

Minority- and women-owned businesses face discrimination and other hardships while trying to obtain federal passenger rail contracts, the owners of several such companies told a House […]
November 3, 2021

DBE Fraud After Exceeding PNW

AUSTIN – U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas announced today that Muniz Concrete and Contracting, Inc. (“Muniz Concrete”) and its owner, […]
October 21, 2021

USDOT to Host Virtual Public Meetings on the Justice40 Initiative

On November 9 and November 16, at 12:00pm ET, the U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) will host virtual public meetings related to the Justice40 Initiative. During […]
October 8, 2021

FTA DBE Listening Session: How to Improve the DBE Program

FTA will host a listening session at 2 p.m. ET Thursday, October 14 to gather information from Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) stakeholders about how to improve […]
October 7, 2021

Caltrans 22.2% DBE Goal for FFY 2022-2024 (FHWA)

Based on a disparity study recently conducted, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) submitted the overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal and Methodology Proposal to the […]
August 2, 2021

Alternative Delivery Methods and DBE Goals

The Transportation Research Record published a paper, entitled “Public–Private Partnership and Social Equity: An Empirical Study of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.” The paper examined the […]
July 29, 2021

New York Painting Contractor Settles DBE Fraud Allegations

On July 12, 2021, Spectrum Painting Corp. (Spectrum), entered into a civil settlement agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. […]
July 27, 2021

Members of Congress urge Transportation Department to support FRA business program

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 […]
June 30, 2021

SANDAG Bench Program Featured in American DBE Magazine

American DBE Magazine recently featured the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Equity Plan and Bench program in an article highlighting how they have been able […]
June 14, 2021

$692K DBE Fraud Settlement The Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement Project

Defendants Repeatedly Failed to Disclose That a Non-DBE Subcontractor Performed Work Exclusively Attributed to Their DBE The United States filed and settled a civil fraud lawsuit […]
May 28, 2021

U.S. DOT Requesting Comments on Programs and Policies that Perpetuate Systemic Barriers

On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed the Executive Order, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government” (Equity E.O.). Through the […]
May 24, 2021

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

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 […]
May 14, 2021

Navigating DBE & LC Interviews During a Pandemic

Jaime Buda (Business Development Manager) sits down with Edward Salcedo (President) and Sylvia Linn (Vice President) to discuss the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on […]
April 20, 2021

FRA Disparity Study

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is conducting a first of its kind nationwide small, minority-owned and woman-owned business disparity study, seeking to […]
April 9, 2021

FAA Launches New Prompt Payment Complaint Reporting Module

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 instituted a requirement for recipients to report covered prompt payment complaints to the FAA Office of Civil Rights. The FAA […]
January 13, 2017

The Transit Award Management System (TrAMS): FTA’s Next Generation of TEAM

Welcome to the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS), FTA’s platform to award and manage federal grants. TrAMS was created to provide greater efficiency and improved transparency […]
January 3, 2017

USDOT DBE Program Guidance

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued guidance in its Questions and Answers section on the relationship and obligations between prime contractors and subcontractors and recipients’ duties to monitor […]
January 3, 2017

SBA Targets Access to Capital

SBA Works to Increase Capital Access for Underserved Markets The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been the leading source of capital for American small businesses to start and […]
January 2, 2017

Free DBE Certification Workshop

Caltrans is providing a FREE DBE certification workshop on January 12, 2017. 100 South Main Street, Los Angeles Increase your Business opportunities to perform work with […]
January 2, 2017

Safe Harbor Cost Rate Test and Evaluation

Beginning in July 1, 2013, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) initiated a Safe Harbor Cost Rate Test and Evaluation program for Architectural and Engineering (A&E) consulting […]
December 22, 2016

Caltrans DBE Supportive Services Survey

Tell us how we’re doing! Your feedback is critical in providing an effective DBE Supportive Services program. For more information about the program, please visit the […]
December 10, 2016

WASHTO Civil Rights Training Symposium

2017 WASHTO Civil Rights Training Symposium February 20 – 23, 2017 San Diego, CA The Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) invites you […]
October 18, 2016

US DOT DBE SUMMIT 10/26/16

  To register for the event, click here.
October 1, 2016

DBE Advantage- Caltrans DBE Supportive Services

DBE Supportive Services are designed to provide guidance and support to increase highway construction and professional service DBE firm participation in federally funded projects through: Training Technical […]
September 23, 2016

U.S. DOT Official DBE Program Q&A: Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations

Must Unified Certification Program (UCP) recipients that are certifying agencies accept for DBE certification firms owned by an Alaska Native Corporation’s (ANC) that have self-certified as […]
September 20, 2016

Caltrans DBE Contract Goal Setting

One aspect of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program that we receive inquiries about is contract goal setting. To help understand the task better, we’ve put […]
September 1, 2016

CALTRANS OVERALL DBE GOAL & METHODOLOGY and WAIVER REQUEST PUBLIC MEETINGS

WHAT IS CALTRANS’ OVERALL DBE GOAL & METHODOLOGY? Addresses potential discrimination against DBE firms in the award and administration of Federal Highway Administration-funded projects through the […]
August 15, 2016

CEO Of Steel Contractor On World Trade Center Site Convicted At Trial Of Fraud In Connection With Program Designed To Encourage Participation Of Minority And Women-Owned Businesses

CEO Of Steel Contractor On World Trade Center Site Convicted At Trial Of Fraud In Connection With Program Designed To Encourage Participation Of Minority And Women-Owned […]
July 13, 2016

LA Small Business Academy

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the Department of Public Works (DPW) of the City of Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles […]
July 8, 2016

LABAVN Small Business Academy Application

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the Department of Public Works (DPW) of the City of Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles […]
June 19, 2016

Caltrans District 11 DBE Certification Workshop in San Diego

June 23, 2016Thursday   9:00 AM Caltrans District Office 4050 Taylor Street CALTRANS DISTRICT 11 DBE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP Caltrans District 11 and the Office of Business […]
June 4, 2016

CA CONTRACTOR SETTLES DBE FRAUD CASE FOR $5.4M

The Times of San Diego reported: A San Diego-based construction company has paid $5.4 million to resolve allegations that it fraudulently billed the federal government for […]
May 31, 2016

Caltrans District 11 DBE Certification Workshop in San Diego

June 23, 2016Thursday   9:00 AM Caltrans District Office 4050 Taylor Street San Diego, California 92110 CALTRANS DISTRICT 11 DBE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP Caltrans District 11 and […]
May 30, 2016

Free Workshop: DBE Certification in San Bernardino

FREE WORKSHOP: DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CERTIFICATION June 21, 2016Tuesday  12:30 PM Caltrans District 8 Office 464 West 4th Street San Bernardino, California 92401 Increase Your Business […]
May 12, 2016

FTA DBE Reporting Module

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Reporting Module How individuals with the TEAM Civil Rights and DBE Reporter roles work in TrAMS. View the PowerPoint Presentation from the March […]
April 30, 2016

DBE Program Regulations: Race-Neutral Measures

DOT has released Official FAQs on DBE Program Regulations. These questions and answers provide guidance and information for compliance with the provisions under 49 CFR part 26. […]
April 15, 2016

U.S. DOT Official DBE Program Q&A: Prompt Payment and Retainage

What must recipients do to ensure compliance with the requirement that subcontractors (which includes subconsultants) must be promptly paid for work performed on a U.S. Department […]
March 31, 2016

FTA Recipient Reporting Requirements

Recipient Reporting Requirements – Tasks Launch for FFR, MPR, and DBE Reports   This is a friendly reminder that on Friday, April 1 TrAMS will launch […]
February 26, 2016

FTA’s 2016 Certifications and Assurances

FTA’s 2016 Certifications and Assurances have been loaded into TrAMS, so your recipient organization may now review and PIN its FY 2016 Certifications and Assurances (C&As) […]
February 17, 2016

FTA TrAMS Training Sessions

Full Slate of TrAMS Training Sessions Now Open Following the launch of the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS) to award and manage federal funding, FTA is […]
February 11, 2016

U.S. DOT Official DBE Program Q&A: Reporting Requirements

GUIDANCE ON COMPLETING THE ONGOING PAYMENTS PORTION OF THE UNIFORM REPORT OF DBE COMMITMENTS/AWARDS AND PAYMENTS Section C of the Uniform Report is designed to capture information […]
February 11, 2016

FTA to Launch New Grants Management Platform

Attention Grantees! FTA to Launch New Grants Management Platform February 16 Next week, FTA will unveil the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS) to award and manage […]
February 9, 2016

DBE Program Regulations: Confidentiality of Information

DOT has released Official FAQs on DBE Program Regulations. These questions and answers provide guidance and information for compliance with the provisions under 49 CFR part 26. […]
February 7, 2016

Caltrans District 7 Hosts – Free Workshop on DBE Certification

Date & Time Thu, March 3, 2016 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM PST 100 South Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Caltrans District 7 invites you […]
January 4, 2016

Cal eProcure Now Live

California’s New Online Marketplace Now Live Cal eProcure, the state’s new online marketplace, is now live and open for business. Starting today, new bid opportunities will […]
December 9, 2015

Cal eProcure is OPEN

California’s new online marketplace is open for business! Dear state of California vendors and customers, The state of California is pleased to announce that the Cal […]
November 30, 2015

DBE Semi-Annual Reports DUE 12/1/2015

If you are responsible for submitting DBE semi-annual reports to FTA, please take note. Today, November 30, 2015, TEAM-Web will be closed in preparation for the new […]
November 24, 2015

John Wayne Airport Launches DBE Disparity Study

John Wayne Airport, Orange County (JWA) is conducting a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Disparity Study that will examine the procurement of services and products, subcontracting participation […]
November 20, 2015

DBE Program Regulations: Counting Regular Dealers

DOT has released Official FAQs on DBE Program Regulations. These questions and answers provide guidance and information for compliance with the provisions under 49 CFR part 26. […]
November 13, 2015

DBE Program Regulations: Counting Joint Checks

DOT has released Official FAQs on DBE Program Regulations. These questions and answers provide guidance and information for compliance with the provisions under 49 CFR part 26. […]
November 10, 2015

Are you ready for Cal eProcure?

Dear state of California vendors and customers, Only a few short weeks remain until the December 9 launch of Cal eProcure, the state’s new online portal […]