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 […]
November 19, 2018

New Jersey Contractor Pays $1.87 Million to Resolve DBE Fraud

Kiewit Contractors, Inc. has agreed to pay $1.87 million to resolve allegations that the company improperly reported Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation on a federally funded […]
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 […]
October 2, 2018

Feds Investigate Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

The Federal Transit Authority is investigating the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) after they received a complaint that the authority may have violated rules involving […]
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 […]
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 […]
September 11, 2018

Metro Suspends Business with Contractor Connected to Bribery

Metro has suspended doing business with a Maryland contractor whose vice president is accused of bribing a transit authority official.  A Maryland grand jury indicted Hardutt […]
September 10, 2018

Notice of Proposed Rule-Making for the Adoption of Small Business Certification Regulations for Public Works Purposes

The Department of General Services (DGS), Procurement Division, Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS) propose revisions to the California Code of […]
September 4, 2018

DBE Matters – Goal Setting Website

As part of the DBE Think Tank, a contract goal setting website has been developed to provide people with a start point for contract goal development. […]
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 16, 2018

Seattle Hosting 34th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference

AMAC’s 34th Annual Airport Business Diversity Conference will be hosted by the Airport Advisory Council and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at the Westin Seattle. This conference will […]
August 1, 2018

2018 Annual Equal Employment Opportunity Report Due 8/15/18

A reminder that the 2018 Annual Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Report is due August 15, 2018.  Using federal form FHWA 1391, prime contractors and lower-tier subcontractors […]
July 3, 2018

Safe Harbor Rate and Evaluation Program Extended Indefinitely

The Safe Harbor Cost Rate Test and Evaluation program for Architectural and Engineering (A&E) consulting firms has been extended indefinitely. This program provides a framework for […]
June 23, 2018

CALTRANS Looking for 2016 Disparity Study Comments

Caltrans is looking for your comments on their 2016 Disparity Study to discuss options for setting Disadvantaged Enterprise goals. The study examines whether there are disparities between […]
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. […]
June 15, 2018

CLT RFP Calls for Bids from Food Trucks

The Charlotte Douglas International Airport has recently put out a request for proposals calling on bids from food trucks, who would serve The Lookout, an outdoor […]
May 24, 2018

TxDOT Struggles to Diversify

When Tamela Saldana trekked across the state of Texas to help contract with minority and women-owned businesses, she encountered a similar troubling scene in each district: […]
May 14, 2018

Caltrans Revised 2016 Federal Highway Administration Disparity Report Released

Caltrans has just released their revised 2016 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Disparity Study report and proposed overall FHWA Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal and methodology for federal […]
May 7, 2018

Join Caltrans for a Labor Compliance Training Course

Caltrans is hosting a two-day course to teach local agency staff prevailing wage requirements, including reviewing and confirming certified payroll records and on-site documentation. Training Dates: […]
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 […]
April 19, 2018

Three Plead Guilty to $200 Million Scheme

According to federal court documents, three more people have plead guilty in a case involving Brian Ganos Construction and Sonag Co. regarding a $200 million scheme. […]
March 26, 2018

Montana White-Owned Firm Claims Discrimination

Montana has paid $485,000 to settle claims that a disadvantaged business program discriminated against Mountain West Holding Co. for being too white and too rich. Read […]
March 22, 2018

Program Giving Contractors a Larger Role Shows Promise

Caltrans has implemented an alternative contract method aiming to bring contracting projects in on time and within budget. Accord to the Department’s annual report, this program […]
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 […]
February 17, 2018

Participate in FHWA Local Agency Training Needs Survey

Participate in the The Federal Highway Administration’s Local Agency Training and Technical Assistance Needs Assessment. As FHWA revisits their strategic plan for their Local Technical Assistance […]
February 16, 2018

2018 ACCA National Training Institute

Registration is open for the 2018 National Training Institute! This event takes place from August 28, 2018 – September 2, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio at the […]
January 30, 2018

2018 Updates Released for LAPM and LAPG

2018 updates of the Local Assistance of Procedures Manual (LAPM) and the Local Assistance Program Guidelines (LAPG) have been released by the Caltrans Division of Local […]
January 17, 2018

Changes in Reviewing Indirect Cost Rates of A&E Firms Contracting with Local Agencies

New processes have been implemented by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for reviewing Indirect Cost Rates of Architectural and Engineering (A&E) firms contracting with local […]
November 24, 2017

Fall 2017 Issue of American DBE

Check out the Fall 2017 Issue of American DBE, a magazine dedicated to increasing the success and growth of diverse companies in the design, construction, and […]
November 8, 2017

Safe Harbor Rate Test and Evaluation Period Has Been Extended

The Safe Harbor Cost Rate Test and Evaluation program for Architectural and Engineering (A&E) consulting firms  initiated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on July 1, […]
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 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 11, 2017

Disadvantaged Business Conference

The U.S. Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Conference is taking place on November 14, 2017 at Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles!  This is a […]