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.
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 […]
September 1, 2022

DBE/ACDBE NPRM Comment Period Extended

Today the Department issued a 6-week extension for stakeholders to comment on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking NPRM issued on July 21, 2022. We encourage you to read the NPRM, paperwork […]
June 28, 2022

DBE & ACDBE Updated Guidelines

The U.S. Department of Transportation has updated the guidance for DBE & ACDBE Programs during COVID-19. The following areas have been updated: DBE Overall Goal Methodology […]
March 9, 2021

NEW CUCP Online Certification System

On March 8, 2021, the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP) announced the new California Unified Certification Program Certification Application System: https://caltrans.dbesystem.com. The CUCP certification application system […]
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 […]
December 14, 2020

DBE Gross Receipts Increased to $26.9M

The US Department of Transportation issued a ruling today that increases the DBE size standard to $26.29M, effective January 13, 2021, for FTA and FHWA funded […]
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 […]
September 16, 2020

The Ins and Outs of Certifications

Navigating the world of certifications can be very daunting. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, please click here to check out our latest […]
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 […]
March 13, 2019

Business Owner with 10% Minority DNA Seeks US. Supreme Court Ruling

  Ralph Taylor, a Washington State business owner, is challenging the policies that determine eligibility for disadvantaged and minority status in state and federal incentive programs. […]
January 7, 2019

Evans Landscaping Guilty On All Counts of DBE Fraud

A federal jury has found Doug Evans, owner of Evans Landscaping, and his vice president, Jim Bailey, guilty on all counts in a wire fraud case. […]
October 5, 2018

Business Owner Pays $630K for DBE Fraud

Nicholas Rivecca Sr., owner of Sonag Ready Mix, LLC, has agreed to pay $629,732 to resolve allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by […]
September 17, 2018

Contractor and Owner Debarred by FHWA after $2 Million DBE Fraud

Vertech International (Vertech) and its owner, Rajat Verma, were debarred on August 30, 2018 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) after taking part in a $2 […]
September 14, 2018

Man Uses Home DNA Test to Qualify as a Minority Business Owner … Did it Work?

Ralph Taylor, the owner of Orion Insurance Group, now considers himself to be multiracial based on the results of an at-home DNA test. This test estimated […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
November 2, 2017

Century Steel Owner Pleads Guilty to $1 Million Fraud Scheme

Donald R. Taylor, the owner of Century Steel Company, plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States after conspiring with the owner of W.M.C.C. Inc. […]
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 […]
August 30, 2017

Company Connected with Federal Indictment Awarded $3.2 Million in Contracts

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has awarded Butler Enterprise Group, LLC with two $1.6 million public outreach contracts. This company is currently connected to a […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
August 8, 2015

History of the DOT DBE Program

The following is from the DOT website:   Overview The Department of Transportation (DOT) has had in effect for more than 20 years a policy of […]
July 24, 2015

High-speed rail hosts small business workshops in Fresno and Visalia

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is hosting free workshops for disadvantaged business enterprise certification and small business certification. Fresno 8/18/15 9am -1PM Downtown Fresno Business Hub […]
July 22, 2015

Caltrans to Begin “Suspending” DBE Firms

Per the Caltrans website: DBE regulation (49 CFR Part §26.88) grants certifying agencies, such as Caltrans, authority to suspend DBE firms. Events that can trigger suspension […]
June 27, 2015

American DBE Magazine Spring 2015

The Spring 2015 Issue of American DBE Magazine is available online free of charge. This issue’s cover story features Cynthia Jones Parks of Jones Worley, an […]