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.
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 4, 2021

Office of Civil Rights Survey for Small, Disadvantaged or Disabled Veteran Businesses

The Caltrans Office of Civil Rights issued a survey for Small, Disadvantaged or Disabled Veteran Businesses to learn about obstacles and barriers these businesses face in […]
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 […]
October 2, 2019

Attention: Contracting Community Engagement Meetings

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 […]
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 […]
May 19, 2017

2017 Small Business Summit

June 1, 2017 The Small Business Summit Group, Inc. in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office and the Los Angeles World […]
January 3, 2017

SBA Targets Access to Capital

SBA Works to Increase Capital Access for Underserved Markets The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been the leading source of capital for American small businesses to start and […]
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 […]
December 22, 2016

Caltrans DBE Supportive Services Survey

Tell us how we’re doing! Your feedback is critical in providing an effective DBE Supportive Services program. For more information about the program, please visit the […]
December 10, 2016

WASHTO Civil Rights Training Symposium

2017 WASHTO Civil Rights Training Symposium February 20 – 23, 2017 San Diego, CA The Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) invites you […]
October 1, 2016

DBE Advantage- Caltrans DBE Supportive Services

DBE Supportive Services are designed to provide guidance and support to increase highway construction and professional service DBE firm participation in federally funded projects through: Training Technical […]
September 1, 2016

CALTRANS OVERALL DBE GOAL & METHODOLOGY and WAIVER REQUEST PUBLIC MEETINGS

WHAT IS CALTRANS’ OVERALL DBE GOAL & METHODOLOGY? Addresses potential discrimination against DBE firms in the award and administration of Federal Highway Administration-funded projects through the […]
July 8, 2016

LABAVN Small Business Academy Application

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the Department of Public Works (DPW) of the City of Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles […]
July 30, 2015

LA Small Business Academy

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the Department of Public Works (DPW) of the City of Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles […]
July 2, 2015

Caltrans FHWA Triennial DBE Goal and Methodology 2016-2018

Caltrans has released its overall annual Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal and methodology for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and is seeking public comments. Caltrans’ 2016-2018 overall […]
April 21, 2015

Caltrans Public Meeting on FTA Goals

Caltrans is hosting public meetings to allow contractors to provide input on proposed DBE goal on FTA-funded projects for Fiscal Years 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2019, and 2018-2019. Caltrans’ […]
February 25, 2015

DGS Small Business Program Meeting

The California Department of General Services’ (DGS) will host a hearing to give the public an opportunity to voice their opinion on the proposed changes to […]
January 15, 2015

Caltrans FTA Disparity Study Released

Caltrans has released the FTA Disparity Study, which found that substantial disparity exists between the expected and actual participation of some disadvantaged groups on contracts funded by the […]