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PICC NEWSLETTER November, 2007 USDOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program A Door to Statewide Opportunity
By Joe Crnkovich DBE Liaison Officer Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District The United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) program for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) provides state and nationwide contracting opportunities for small minority and women-owned businesses to sell to public agencies that receive USDOT funds. Federal law mandates that every public agency that receives more than $250,000 in USDOT funds in a single year must have a DBE program that states the agency’s commitment to the federal DBE program and how that agency will carry out that program. Each year, each of these agencies must also determine a percentage goal for minimum DBE participation in federally funded contracts or subcontracts to be awarded in that coming year. Once that goal has been determined, each agency must require that all contractors bidding on any USDOT funded contract demonstrate good faith efforts to meet that goal in doing the work required by that contract. These program goals result in the awarding of hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts and subcontracts to DBEs nationwide. At the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), our fiscal year 2007 goal is nine percent (9%). This amounts to nearly $2 million in opportunities for DBEs, and NICTD is only one of many agencies in the state that have annual goals. But in order to qualify for this program, a small minority or woman owned business must be certified as a disadvantaged business enterprise. This is not quite the same as a minority or woman owned business because it also involves the size of the business and the wealth of the owners. However, the process of being certified as a DBE is truly “one stop shopping”, so once a DBE is certified, many opportunities open up statewide. In Indiana, the Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT’s) Office of Economic opportunity certifies small minority and woman owned businesses as DBEs. Their office is at 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N904, Indianapolis, IN 46204, their web site is www.in.gov/dot/div/legal/DBE and their phone number is (317) 232-5089. Once a business is certified by INDOT as a DBE, it is recognized as a DBE by every recipient of USDOT funds in the state – every transit agency, every airport authority (if they get DOT funds) and INDOT itself. Also, once an Indiana firm is certified as a DBE by INDOT, it’s easier to get certified in other states as well.
The Web Resource Guide to Doing Business with the State of Indiana A Step-by-Step Outline of Navigating the Process The State of Indiana requires individuals and businesses who seek to do business with the State to register with a number of different State agencies and offices prior to bidding on contracts and receiving a contract award. Prior to utilizing scarce resources to undertake these processes it is important that businesses determine if State government is a strong market. Minority and Women Businesses that complete the various registrations and certifications could reap great benefits from the MWBE program, however, they must work to market their firm to the correct audiences in order to be successful. The following is an outline of web tools that will assist you through the process. Go to: http://www.in.gov/idoa/files/web_resource_guide.pdf
February 13, 2008
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