Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
The Greene County Transit Board (GCTB) encourages the participation of disadvantaged business enterprises in the contracts and programs funded by FTA. It is the policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation that DBE’s (minority and women-owned firms) compete on a level playing field for performance of contracts financed in whole or in part with federal funds.
The GCTB will ensure all contractors providing goods, services, or performing construction will take positive steps toward the utilization of disadvantaged business enterprises, to the maximum extent possible.
GCTB overall goal, typically less than 1%, will be reviewed on an annual basis. The overall goal will be divided into a specific percent to meet DBE race-conscious contract goals and a specific percent through race-neutral means. This goal is a percentage of Federal financial assistance that will be expended in DOT-assisted contracts awarded to the GCTB (But excluding the purchase of transportation vehicle, which is monitored directly by the FTA). This goal is calculated after reviewing GCTB’s past goal history, adjusting for availability of DBE’s based on census data on businesses in Greene County and the state DBE Directory.
Every employee assumes responsibility in varying degrees for compliance with the procedure. It is the DBE Officer’s responsibility to determine which procurements will have contract goals.
The GCTB will ensure all contractors providing goods, services, or performing construction will take positive steps toward the utilization of disadvantaged business enterprises, to the maximum extent possible.
GCTB overall goal, typically less than 1%, will be reviewed on an annual basis. The overall goal will be divided into a specific percent to meet DBE race-conscious contract goals and a specific percent through race-neutral means. This goal is a percentage of Federal financial assistance that will be expended in DOT-assisted contracts awarded to the GCTB (But excluding the purchase of transportation vehicle, which is monitored directly by the FTA). This goal is calculated after reviewing GCTB’s past goal history, adjusting for availability of DBE’s based on census data on businesses in Greene County and the state DBE Directory.
Every employee assumes responsibility in varying degrees for compliance with the procedure. It is the DBE Officer’s responsibility to determine which procurements will have contract goals.
Procedure
DBE’s should be certified by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). As required by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49 Part 26, the State had developed a Unified Certification Program (UCP) to provide “one stop shopping” for the DBE firms. An applicant is required to apply only once for a DBE certification that will be honored by all those who receive Federal funding in the state. An application can be completed by logging onto the U.S. DOT website: https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise/ready-applySolicitation Packages
For each solicitation package that contains the specific goal requirement, the following forms that are included in the package are to be completed. Bidders/proposers that do not qualify as a DBE must submit both affidavits. Certified DBE firms must submit the affidavit of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and a notarized letter attesting that their firm will be doing all, or a major portion, of the work involved. Failure to submit these forms may render the firm non-responsive.
- Affidavit of Intended Disadvantaged Entrepreneur: the contractor certifies that he/she is using a DBE subcontractor/supplier and states the capacity in which the DBE will be used and the estimated dollar amount.
- Affidavit of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise: The DBE firm certifies they are a DBE and will be the contractor/subcontractor/supplier on this project.