Implementing Race-Neutral Measures in State Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs (2011) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 14-21
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From page 14... ...
The descriptions of many strategies in this report refer to DBE firms and prime contractors as two discrete categories, which reflect that these strategies focus on assisting DBEs in bidding as subcontractors to non-DBE prime contractors. However, it is recognized that DBE firms can serve as prime contractors as well and, wherever possible, this is acknowledged in the language of this report.
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From page 15... ...
"State DOTs should offer different types of training and assistance to various DBE subgroups, developed to meet each group's particular needs." Another respondent pointed to the lack of privacy in group training as a challenge; feedback from that state's DBE firms has indicated that some DBEs view their problems as confidential and do not wish to discuss them in a group setting. This respondent also noted the difficulty in serving DBE firms that need varying levels of assistance through a group training class.
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From page 16... ...
Strategy #9: Unbundling contracts (breaking large contracts into multiple smaller contracts) to allow and encourage DBEs to bid as prime contractors or quote on subcontracts Fifty-five percent of the states had used this strategy; of those, 58% found it to be effective, with 35% rating it a 4 or 5 (very or extremely effective)
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From page 17... ...
"ESBE contract goals are established so that, over the period to which the overall DBE goal applies, they will cumulatively result in meeting the overall goal through the use of race-neutral means," the respondent wrote. All DBEs are considered to be ESBEs for the purposes of goal setting, and the use of the ESBE certification has allowed this state to be very aggressive in terms of goal setting on individual contracts.
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From page 18... ...
Targeting and Assisting Prime Contractors Some states perform outreach to prime contractors to encourage use of DBE firms. One respondent mentioned that being a small state allows the DBE program staff to work with each prime contractor directly, whereas another state sends letters to all contractors and subcontractors explaining their obligations toward meeting DBE program goals.
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From page 19... ...
• Another DOT is evaluating the practice of reimbursing DBE firms for bonding fees if they are required to carry their own bond for a project. This respondent noted that prime contractors in the state have traditionally carried subcontractors under their own bond, but that this practice is beginning to diminish.
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From page 20... ...
Another respondent described bringing partners from other state and federal agencies and technical assistance providers to meet with DBEs and brainstorm strategies for building capacity. Collecting Feedback from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises on Effective Measures Many states survey DBE firms or collect feedback informally about which aspects of their DBE programs are most valuable.
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From page 21... ...
that use of DBEs fell off dramatically once contract goals were eliminated. Waivers Allowing the Use of Race-Conscious Measures The survey asked states whether they had requested a waiver from the FHWA allowing them to target specific subgroups with race-conscious measures.
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