Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
The US Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracting markets nationwide. The primary objective is to level the playing field by providing small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.
DBE requirements vary by contract. Requirements will be defined in each RFP and RFQ document.
DBE for Federal Contracts
When TAM utilizes federal financial assistance to fund procurement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the procurement is subject to Caltrans regulations in accordance with Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26 (49 CFR 26) entitled “Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance programs.” TAM has agreed to implement the Caltrans DBE Program Plan as it pertains to local agencies. Caltrans is in the process of transitioning their DBE Program to reflect the suspension of the wavier granted to Caltrans that identified a certain subset of DBEs as “Underutilized” DBEs or UDBEs.
DBEs and other small businesses are strongly encouraged to participate in the performance of contracts financed in whole or in part with federal funds. The consultant should ensure that DBEs and other small businesses have the opportunity to participate in the performance of the work that is the subject of this solicitation and should take all necessary and reasonable steps for this assurance. The proposer shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in the award and performance of subcontracts.
TAM has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26.
It is the policy of TAM to ensure that DBEs, as defined in Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. It is also our policy:
- To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts;
- To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;
- To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
- To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
- To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts; and
- To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program.