This article highlights one of Jonathan Stutz's key friendships, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds. It illustrates how connecting with individuals different from oneself can lead to personal growth, expanded perspectives, and a deeper understanding of others.
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.
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.
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.
Executive Order 14091 – “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government” – was signed by President Joe Biden on February […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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. […]
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) […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
September 20, 2022Contact: pressoffice@dot.gov Biden-Harris Administration Announces Groundbreaking Partnerships to Connect Small and Disadvantaged Businesses to Infrastructure Programs DOT Will Host Business Forum to Improve Access […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
On September 25, 2020 the State of California Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services issued extensions for SB and DVBE certifications.
The Summer 2020 edition of American DBE magazine includes a variety of articles related to the implementation and administration of the DBE program and includes best […]
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced $11.2 million in grants from the Fiscal Year 2019 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Supportive Services (DBE/SS) program […]
Colette Holt, Colette Holt & Associates The new “Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America” Act (“Invest in America Act”), […]
Proposition 209 is a California ballot proposition (from 1996) that prohibits state governmental institutions from considering race, gender, or ethnicity, specifically in the areas of public […]
Led by Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the INVEST in America Act is a proposed $494-billion, five-year surface transportation […]
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 […]
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 […]
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): […]
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 […]
SB1 was signed in 2017 and invests $54 billion over the next 10 years to improve and maintain California’s transportation infrastructure. This is a good news […]
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 […]
Sanzo Ltd. and its owner, Coral Sanzo, were debarred by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on August 23, 2019. This debarment prohibits Sanzo from participating in […]
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 […]
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 […]
From June 30, 2017 to June 29, 2018, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) suspended Velda Berryman on allegations of fraud. Allegations were referred to the U.S. […]
Southern Concrete and Construction, Inc. (SCC) was investigated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for allegedly violating the False Claims Act. According to investigations, SCC […]
An investigation conducted by federal agents regarding suspected public corruption in the Dayton area led to federal charges against a former Dayton city commissioner and three […]
The Trumbull County Transit Board (TCTB) has until Monday to answer compliance questions and numerous other questions that have been lingering for years. If they cannot […]
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 […]
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. […]
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. […]
Century Steel Erectors Company, L.P. (Century Steel) and its owner, Donald Taylor, were debarred by FHWA on December 26, 2018. This debarment will last three years. […]
On January 3, 2019, Caltrans announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has significantly increased the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Annual Overall Participation Goal to 17.6 […]