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 […]
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 […]
August 30, 2022

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Webinar hosted by FAA Small Business Program

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Small Business Program Office is hosting a third webinar about areas of opportunities related to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) on […]
March 8, 2022

Increased DBE/ACDBE Size Standards

The Department of Transportation issued a final rule on December 14, 2020, applicable to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) program regarding an annual inflationary adjustment to […]
June 30, 2021

SANDAG Bench Program Featured in American DBE Magazine

American DBE Magazine recently featured the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Equity Plan and Bench program in an article highlighting how they have been able […]
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 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 […]
September 16, 2020

The Ins and Outs of Certifications

Navigating the world of certifications can be very daunting. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, please click here to check out our latest […]
May 6, 2020

FTA Guidance on COVID-19

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners to provide guidance to the public transportation […]
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 […]
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 […]
October 2, 2019

Attention: Contracting Community Engagement Meetings

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 […]
May 17, 2019

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

February 12, 2017

DGS Commercially Useful Function for SB & DVBE

Performing a Commercially Useful Function is a critical requirement of doing business with the state. As such, the Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business […]
January 15, 2017

DGS FY 2015 – 16 Consolidated Annual Report

The Department of General Services (DGS) is pleased to announce the release of the 2015 –16 Consolidated Annual Report (CAR).  Public Contract Code (PCC) §  10111 […]
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 […]
October 18, 2016

US DOT DBE SUMMIT 10/26/16

  To register for the event, click here.
July 13, 2016

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 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 […]
November 10, 2015

Are you ready for Cal eProcure?

Dear state of California vendors and customers, Only a few short weeks remain until the December 9 launch of Cal eProcure, the state’s new online portal […]
November 3, 2015

USDOT Business Leadership Series Webinars

Women in Business: Superwomen  Thursday, November 5, 2015 | 2-3 pm EDT Featured Speaker:Sonu Ratra, President and Co-Founder, Akraya, Inc.In the staffing industry, Sonu is recognized as […]
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 24, 2015

High-speed rail hosts small business workshops in Fresno and Visalia

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is hosting free workshops for disadvantaged business enterprise certification and small business certification. Fresno 8/18/15 9am -1PM Downtown Fresno Business Hub […]
March 19, 2015

USDOT Mentor-Protege Program Re-Launches

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is pleased to announce the expansion of our Mentor-Protégé Program. After successfully […]
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 […]