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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
December 1, 2021

DBE Program Overview

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 […]
May 17, 2019

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

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 22, 2018

Caltrans SB 1 Workshop for Local Agencies

Join Caltrans at their SB 1 Workshop taking place around California for agencies receiving funding through the Active Transportation Program, Local Partnership Program, Solutions for Congested Corridors […]
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 7, 2018

Join Caltrans for a Labor Compliance Training Course

Caltrans is hosting a two-day course to teach local agency staff prevailing wage requirements, including reviewing and confirming certified payroll records and on-site documentation. Training Dates: […]
February 16, 2018

2018 ACCA National Training Institute

Registration is open for the 2018 National Training Institute! This event takes place from August 28, 2018 – September 2, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio at the […]
July 26, 2017

Senate Bill 1 Workshop Schedule

As part of the California Transportation Commissions (CTC) Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Implementation Plan, a series of workshops is being offered to State and Federal Agencies, Tribal Governments, […]
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 20, 2016

Caltrans DBE Contract Goal Setting

One aspect of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program that we receive inquiries about is contract goal setting. To help understand the task better, we’ve put […]
June 19, 2016

Caltrans District 11 DBE Certification Workshop in San Diego

June 23, 2016Thursday   9:00 AM Caltrans District Office 4050 Taylor Street CALTRANS DISTRICT 11 DBE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP Caltrans District 11 and the Office of Business […]
May 31, 2016

Caltrans District 11 DBE Certification Workshop in San Diego

June 23, 2016Thursday   9:00 AM Caltrans District Office 4050 Taylor Street San Diego, California 92110 CALTRANS DISTRICT 11 DBE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP Caltrans District 11 and […]
May 30, 2016

Free Workshop: DBE Certification in San Bernardino

FREE WORKSHOP: DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CERTIFICATION June 21, 2016Tuesday  12:30 PM Caltrans District 8 Office 464 West 4th Street San Bernardino, California 92401 Increase Your Business […]
November 5, 2015

Caltrans Prime Contractor Training

Caltrans’ Office of Business and Economic Opportunity will be holding a training session for prime contractors who bid Caltrans construction contracts on Thursday, December 3, 2015, […]
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 […]
October 25, 2015

American DBE Magazine- Fall 2015

The latest edition of American DBE Magazine has been released. View the magazine online here.
October 6, 2015

Make Davis-Bacon Work For You

Learn how to Make Davis-Bacon Work For You! LCPtracker, Inc. is proud to offer a prevailing wage seminar that surpasses anything that has been presented thus […]
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 […]