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.

May 1, 2024

Final Rule Summary

On April 9, 2024 the USDOT announced various changes and much needed modernization to the DBE Program. GCAP prepared a table summarizing key changes.
March 25, 2024

Who’s In Your Kitchen?

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.
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
September 20, 2022

Partnerships to Connect Small and Disadvantaged Businesses to Infrastructure Programs

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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
September 25, 2020

Certification Extensions Issued by CA Office of Small and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services

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.
August 17, 2020

American DBE Magazine Summer 2020 Edition

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 […]
July 28, 2020

USDOT Announces $11.2M in Grants for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses

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 […]
July 24, 2020

The Invest in America Act and its Impact on the USDOT DBE 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”), […]
June 16, 2020

Charge to Repeal Prop 209

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 […]
June 11, 2020

$494B INVEST in America Act

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 […]
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 […]
January 28, 2020

Feds charge SF Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru with fraud

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 […]
October 9, 2019

File a Complaint with FTA

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): […]
October 2, 2019

Attention: Contracting Community Engagement Meetings

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 […]
September 15, 2019

SB1 Increasing Opportunities for Small Business

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 […]
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 […]
September 3, 2019

FHWA Debars New Jersey-based Contractor

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 […]
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 […]
June 9, 2019

Illinois Supply Chain Manager Debarred by FTA

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. […]
June 5, 2019

Civil Settlement Reached with South Carolina Construction Company

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 […]
May 24, 2019

4 Men Indicted for Dayton Public Corruption

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 […]
May 17, 2019

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

April 17, 2019

FTA Threatens Transit Funding

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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 13, 2019

Pennsylvania Company and Owner Debarred by FHWA

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. […]
January 7, 2019

Caltrans Increases Overall DBE Goal

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 […]
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. […]