The Compliance Buzz

The Compliance Buzz is GCAP's blog dedicated to providing up to date content on all things compliance related including news, regulatory updates, and GCAP original content.

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 […]
December 15, 2022

History of the DOT DBE Program

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has had in effect for more than 20 years a policy of helping small businesses owned and controlled by socially and […]
October 11, 2022

US DOT Good Faith Efforts

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 […]
September 29, 2022

US DOT Prompt Payment/Return of Retainage

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 […]
September 20, 2022

US DOT Training- DBE Program Overview

This video gives overview of the DBE Program. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/federal-aidessentials/catmod.cfm?id=73
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 16, 2022

US DOT DBE Project/Contract Goal Setting

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 […]
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 9, 2021

FAA Launches New Prompt Payment Complaint Reporting Module

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 […]
February 11, 2021

New Online Dashboard Shows Diversity of High-Speed Rail Small Businesses Program

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has launched a new online dashboard that tracks Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), which include women- and minority-owned small businesses participating […]
February 3, 2021

New Caltrans Exhibit 9-F Due Monthly

The Caltrans Division of Local Assistance released the 2021 Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) on January 4, 2021. In addition to numerous minor revisions, the LAPM […]
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 […]
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. […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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: […]
January 26, 2017

Caltrans LAPM 2017 Edition

Caltrans Division of Local Assistance is pleased to present the 2017 edition of the Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM). This 2017 edition incorporates all updates, changes, […]
January 13, 2017

The Transit Award Management System (TrAMS): FTA’s Next Generation of TEAM

Welcome to the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS), FTA’s platform to award and manage federal grants. TrAMS was created to provide greater efficiency and improved transparency […]
May 12, 2016

FTA DBE Reporting Module

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Reporting Module How individuals with the TEAM Civil Rights and DBE Reporter roles work in TrAMS. View the PowerPoint Presentation from the March […]
March 31, 2016

FTA Recipient Reporting Requirements

Recipient Reporting Requirements – Tasks Launch for FFR, MPR, and DBE Reports   This is a friendly reminder that on Friday, April 1 TrAMS will launch […]
February 26, 2016

FTA’s 2016 Certifications and Assurances

FTA’s 2016 Certifications and Assurances have been loaded into TrAMS, so your recipient organization may now review and PIN its FY 2016 Certifications and Assurances (C&As) […]
February 17, 2016

FTA TrAMS Training Sessions

Full Slate of TrAMS Training Sessions Now Open Following the launch of the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS) to award and manage federal funding, FTA is […]
February 11, 2016

U.S. DOT Official DBE Program Q&A: Reporting Requirements

GUIDANCE ON COMPLETING THE ONGOING PAYMENTS PORTION OF THE UNIFORM REPORT OF DBE COMMITMENTS/AWARDS AND PAYMENTS Section C of the Uniform Report is designed to capture information […]
February 11, 2016

FTA to Launch New Grants Management Platform

Attention Grantees! FTA to Launch New Grants Management Platform February 16 Next week, FTA will unveil the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS) to award and manage […]
November 30, 2015

DBE Semi-Annual Reports DUE 12/1/2015

If you are responsible for submitting DBE semi-annual reports to FTA, please take note. Today, November 30, 2015, TEAM-Web will be closed in preparation for the new […]