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 […]
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.
Executive Order 14091 – “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government” – was signed by President Joe Biden on February […]
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’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced new resources from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will create economic opportunities and open […]
USDOT recipients must implement the DBE Program in good faith as well as review the good faith efforts (GFEs) of prime contractors in their attainment of […]
Ensuring its recipients enforce the prompt payment and return of retainage requirements is a serious concern for USDOT. Prompt payment and early return of retainage are […]
USDOT’s Departmental Office of Civil Rights (DOCR) held a training session with FAA, FHWA, and FTA to discuss best practices in DBE project and contract goal […]
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 […]
Administration Announces Record Contract Spending on Small Disadvantaged Businesses and New Steps to Create Contracting Opportunities for Disadvantaged Businesses through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law The Federal […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
FTA will host a listening session at 2 p.m. ET Thursday, October 14 to gather information from Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) stakeholders about how to improve […]
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 instituted a requirement for recipients to report covered prompt payment complaints to the FAA Office of Civil Rights. The FAA […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Federal Aviation Administration Office of Civil Rights continues its effort to promote awareness of all the resources and information available to Airport Grant recipients and […]
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 […]
AB-5 Worker Status: Employees and Independent Contractors This bill is an act to amend the Labor Code and Unemployment Insurance Code following the decision in Dynamex […]
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 […]
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 […]
Stamatios Kousisis and his employer, Alpha Painting and Construction, Inc., were found guilty by a jury of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]