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.

October 11, 2023

Success Story: How the DBE/ACDBE Program Empowers Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs

Forbes recently released an article about Randy Hazelton, a young entrepreneur and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) owner who grew his business from a streetside restaurant in Atlanta to a $50 million enterprise with assistance from the USDOT's ACDBE program.
September 20, 2023

DBE Fraud Cases: A Timely Reminder to Prioritize Commercially Useful Function Reviews

Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General released an investigative report titled "FHWA Suspends Massachusetts-Based DBE Contractor" which details the suspension of a DBE contractor due to fraudulent activities involving both the Prime Contractor and the certified DBE subcontractor.
September 11, 2023

A Recipe for Change: Successful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs

When it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion, there is not a ‘one size fits all’ strategy and integration plan—each organization should have their own to address their uniquely identified needs. What works for one organization may or may not work for other. Therefore, assessing, monitoring, and adjusting the strategy is critical to the success of DEI programs.
June 23, 2023

How Federal Agencies Can Advance Equity through Executive Order 14091

Executive Order 14091 – “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government” – was signed by President Joe Biden on February […]
June 9, 2023

Upcoming DBE/ACDBE Certification Workshops in June

The California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) member agencies and the Business Outreach Committee (BOC) are hosting a two-part DBE/ACDBE Certification workshop on June 22, 2023 at […]
June 9, 2023

USDOT Equity Action Plan Update – Request for Information

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comment to inform their annual update to the DOT Equity Action Plan which aims to expand access and […]
May 17, 2023

Summary of Caltrans LAPM Changes

The Caltrans Division of Local Assistance recently released two (2) Office Bulletins related to the DBE Program that affect their federal-aid funded projects.  If you are […]
April 21, 2023

DBEs in Design Build & the FHWA Every Day Counts 2023 Virtual Summit

In February 2023, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) hosted the Every Day Counts Virtual Summit. If you missed the summit, you can access the recordings and […]
April 20, 2023

Two Companies Agree to Pay $1.2 Million to Resolve DBE Fraud Allegations

On April 5, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts entered into a civil settlement with Walsh Construction Company and Melo’s Rodbusters, Inc. […]
March 15, 2023

Sherwin-Williams Company To Pay $1 Million To Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations Arising From Pennsylvania Bridge Painting Project

On March 1, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania entered into a civil settlement agreement with The Sherwin-Williams Company. Sherwin-Williams agreed […]
March 2, 2023

Updated DBE Size Standards

Effective March 1, 2023 the business size limit for applicant and certified DBEs seeking to participate in FHWA and FTA-assisted contracts is adjusted for inflation from $28.48 million to $30.40 million. […]
February 14, 2023

U.S. DOT Transportation Disadvantaged Census Tracts (Historically Disadvantaged Communities) Tool Update Webinar

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will be hosting a webinar on the agency’s proposed updates and rebranding of the Transportation Disadvantaged Census Tracts (Historically Disadvantaged Communities) […]
February 4, 2023

Request for Feedback on FAA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Funded Large Scale Construction and the FAA Mentor Protégé Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a request for feedback from industry on the potential utilization of the FAA’s Mentor Protégé Program and to invite […]
January 18, 2023

USDOT Announces Two New Actions to Advance Economic Opportunity for Disadvantaged Workers and Businesses through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced new resources from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will create economic opportunities and open […]
January 5, 2023

Transit Vehicle Manufacturers (TVMs)

If you are an FTA recipient, you must require in your DBE program that each transit vehicle manufacturer, as a condition of being authorized to bid […]
October 11, 2023

Success Story: How the DBE/ACDBE Program Empowers Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs

Forbes recently released an article about Randy Hazelton, a young entrepreneur and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) owner who grew his business from a streetside restaurant in Atlanta to a $50 million enterprise with assistance from the USDOT's ACDBE program.
January 18, 2023

USDOT Announces Two New Actions to Advance Economic Opportunity for Disadvantaged Workers and Businesses through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced new resources from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will create economic opportunities and open […]
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 4, 2021

Caltrans 2021 Statewide DBE Summit

Caltrans is hosting a webinar on March 30, from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. This webinar will provide information to public works subcontractors, contractors, suppliers and consultants […]
November 26, 2020

Updated DBE & ACDBE Program Guidance During COVID-19

The US Department of Transportation released guidance documents addressing DBE and ACDBE program requirements during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on March 24, 2020 and April […]
April 25, 2020

BART Hosts Virtual Speed Networking

BART has hosted virtual speed dating sessions where the agency interacts with up to 48 subcontractors to keep critical construction projects moving. The Bay Area Rapid […]
March 25, 2020

Why is it Hard for Minority Businesses to Win Government Contracts?

Understand How California’s Unique Business Landscape Impacts Minority-Owned Firms There are more minority-and-women-owned firms in California than in any other state. In fact, almost one in […]
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 […]
September 6, 2019

SBA Office of Advocacy Submits Comments on Size Standards

On Aug. 22, Advocacy submitted the Small Business Administration’s proposed rule, Small Business Size Standards: Calculation of Annual Average Receipts. In the letter, Advocacy urges the […]
August 1, 2019

City of Atlanta in Violation of Federal Obligation for Airport Grants

The Federal Aviation Administration says the city of Atlanta is in violation of its federal obligations for airport grants because of its actions in a dispute […]
July 26, 2019

LA – Largest City in US to Formally Include LGBTQ Businesses in Contract Process

The city of Los Angeles will be the largest municipality, by both population and economy, to formally include LGBTQ-owned businesses in the city’s billions of dollars […]
May 17, 2019

What Works? Implementing Race-Neutral Measures in State DBE Programs

March 21, 2019

FHWA Approves Local Assistance Procedures for Construction Manager and General Contractor

On March 13, 2019, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the Local Assistance Procedures for Construction Manager and General contractor. FHWA provided guidance to Caltrans while developing […]
February 13, 2019

USDOT Reviewing Guidance Documents and Looking for Comments

The U.S. Department of Transportation is reviewing its existing guidance documents to evaluate their continued necessity and determine whether they need to be updated or revised. […]
February 4, 2019

2019 LAPM and LAPG Released!

Caltrans Division of Local Assistance has released the 2019 Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) and the 2019 Local Assistance Program Guidelines (LAPG). The LAPM helps California local agencies scope, […]
November 29, 2018

2018 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Conference

The US Department of Transportation Small Business Transportation Resource Center – Southwest Region in conjunction with the California Asian Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2nd […]
September 24, 2018

FHWA’s New DBE Program – Alternative Contracting Methods Handbook

  It’s finally here!  The Federal Highway Administration has released its new DBE Program Handbook on Alternative Contracting Methods. According to FHWA, this handbook is intended […]
August 31, 2018

Update in DBE Goal Methodology

Local agencies must use the updated Exhibit 9-D template to calculate Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals for all federal contracts (consultant and construction) that will be […]
August 25, 2018

Guidance on Recipient Responsibilities for Oversight and Monitoring of DBE Participation

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of General Counsel has approved new guidance documents related to Recipient Responsibilities for Oversight and Monitoring of DBE Participation. This […]
August 22, 2018

Caltrans SB 1 Workshop for Local Agencies

Join Caltrans at their SB 1 Workshop taking place around California for agencies receiving funding through the Active Transportation Program, Local Partnership Program, Solutions for Congested Corridors […]
June 22, 2018

Guidance on Procedures for Submitting Good Faith Efforts Information on Design-Bid-Build Contracts

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of General Counsel has approved new guidance documents related to Procedures for Submitting Good Faith Efforts Information on Design-Bid-Build Contracts. […]
May 3, 2018

New DBE Guidance Documents Released

Three new guidance documents related to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program have been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of General Counsel. 1) Compliance […]
May 1, 2018

DBE Regulations – Official Questions and Answers

These questions and answers provide guidance and information for compliance with the provisions under 49 CFR part 26, pertaining to the implementation of the Department’s disadvantaged […]
March 16, 2018

LA Metro’s New Program for Small, Disadvantaged, and Veteran-Owned Firms

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has implemented a one-year pilot program that will help small, disadvantaged, and veteran-owned firms secure sufficient bonding to work […]
October 30, 2017

FTA DBE Reports and Shortfall Analysis

With triennial and state reviews coming up in 2018, it is important to review the two most common findings that people miss when conducting their reviews: […]
October 20, 2017

Port of Long Beach and Long Beach Transit Interested in Diversity Programs and Goals

The Port of Long Beach and Long Beach Transit recently hosted a Prime Time Business Networking event, that gave small businesses insight to certification and internal […]
October 4, 2017

The Partners Program – DBE/WBE/SBE Firms

Delivering complex airport programs requires diversity, innovative thinking, and close collaboration among large and small firms. HNTB has created the Partners Program, a national effort to […]
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 […]