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.
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 […]