Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
Policy Statement
Capital Metro has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. Capital Metro has received Federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, Capital Metro has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.
It is the policy of Capital Metro 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 marketplace outside the DBE Program.
Ms. Aida B. Douglas, Business Development Manager/DBE Officer, has been designated as the DBE Liaison Officer. In that capacity, Ms. Douglas is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the DBE program. Implementation of the DBE program is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred by Capital Metro in its financial assistance agreements with the Department of Transportation.
Capital Metro has disseminated this policy statement to the Board of Directors and all the components of our organization. We have distributed this statement to DBE and non-DBE business communities that perform work for us on DOT-assisted contracts. This statement is included in all solicitation packages and has been communicated to local business groups, chambers and community organizations.
| Signature of President/Chief Executive Officer |  |
Date: | 04-12-2005 |
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
Capital Metro has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the US Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26.
It is Capital Metro's policy:
- To ensure non-discrimination in the award and administration of DOT assisted and locally funded contracts
- To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT assisted and locally funded 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 and locally funded contracts
- To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program
For more information regarding the DBE program at Capital Metro, please contact Aida Douglas, at 512-369-6200 or via email at aida.douglas@capmetro.org
Federal Regulation, 49 CFR, Part 26, Subpart E, section 26.81 states that each state must implement a "one stop" certification process for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). Each entity receiving Department of Transportation (DOT) funds is required to enter into and sign an agreement establishing and supporting a Unified Certification Program (UCP) within the state.
In response to this mandate, six agencies have agreed to perform the certification of DBEs within the state of Texas under the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP). The six agencies are: Texas Department of Transportation, North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, City of Houston, City of Austin and the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority.
Once a firm has been certified as a DBE, it shall remain certified for a period of at least three years unless and until its certification has been removed for reasons outlined in 49 CFR Sec. 26.87
Capital Metro is earnestly endeavoring to obtain the participation of DBEs by soliciting bids for Capital Metro requirements. Once certified, our Procurement Dept. will receive information regarding your firm for sourcing activities.
Prime Contractors
Capital Metro prime contractors are encouraged to subcontract to DBE's. This program is also administered by Capital Metro's DBE office.
All procurements in excess of $25,000 are examined by DBE to determine if DBE subcontracting goals can be reasonably established. To make this determination, DBE carefully examines two (2) key elements:
- subcontracting opportunities for each procurement; and
- the number of DBE firms available in each subcontracting category.
If goals are established, potential prime contractors to Capital Metro are expected to make their best effort to meet goals (e.g., 25% of the contract price will flow down to DBE's). When addressing DBE goals in bid/proposals, potential contractors are required to comply with the provisions and instructions set forth in the solicitation.
Compliance
Once prime contractors commit to meeting DBE subcontracting goals, DBE will work with them to ensure success towards meeting their commitments. This involves periodic reviews with both the prime and DBE subcontractors. In addition, prime contractors are required to submit with invoices a Vendor Payment Report form, which indicates the level of
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200 | (800) 474-1201