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DBE Community of Practice Training Sessions

FOR WHOM: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recipients. 

FORMAT: ZOOM PowerPoint Presentation.  

INFORMATION: The US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Departmental Office of Civil Rights (DOCR) invites you to the following Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) webinar training sessions presented by DOCR, FAA, FHWA, and FTA:

DBE Project/Contract Goal Setting
WHEN: March 2, 2022 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm EST.

USDOT’s Departmental Office of Civil Rights (DOCR) held a training session with FAA, FHWA, and FTA to discuss best practices in DBE project and contract goal setting. 


Prompt Payment/Return of Retainage: 
WHEN: April 20, 2022 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm EST. 

Ensuring its recipients enforce the prompt payment and return of retainage requirements is a serious concern for USDOT. Prompt payment and early return of retainage are necessary for small businesses to meet their payroll and pay their suppliers. Unlike large companies, small businesses often do not have the financial liquidity or access to financing necessary to survive delays in payment for their completed and accepted work. Congress took note of this concern and directed USDOT to take additional steps to ensure that recipients comply with regulatory requirements. This session covers prompt payment and return of retainage and the importance of effective monitoring, oversight, and enforcement to ensure compliance.

Good Faith Efforts: 
WHEN: May 17, 2022 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm EST. 

USDOT recipients must implement the DBE Program in good faith as well as review the good faith efforts (GFEs) of prime contractors in their attainment of contract goals. This session provides a basic understanding of the GFE requirements and will emphasize the importance of conducting a thorough and robust review of a prime contractor’s GFE prior to contract award.

Commercially Useful Function (CUF) and Counting:
WHEN: June 9th, 2022 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm EST. 

USDOT recipients and TVMs may only count work performed by DBE firms toward DBE goal attainment if the DBE performs a commercially useful function (CUF). Understanding CUF and properly distinguishing between contractors, regular dealers, brokers, and manufacturers are important when counting DBE participation toward an overall or a contract goal. This session addresses counting requirements and highlights useful tools for recipients to use to ensure compliance with CUF requirements.

Answer Session
WHEN: July 13th, 2022 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm EST. 

USDOT will host a dedicated answer session to address questions received during and after the Contract Goals, Prompt Payment, Good Faith Efforts, and Commercially Useful Function webinars. You can submit questions to DBE@dot.gov before this event by June 24, 2022.

You must register to participate in each session. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with a unique personal link and instructions on how to join the event. Please do not share your link.
 
ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: DOCR is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please send an email to Babette.Salmon@dot.gov and lakwame.anyane-yeboa@dot.gov with your request. Your request needs to be submitted at least five (5) working days prior to the event.  
 
POINTS OF CONTACT FOR THE EVENTS:   
Babette Salmon (OST)  Babette.Salmon@dot.gov
Lakwame Anyane-Yeboa (OST) lakwame.anyane-yeboa@dot.gov
Janelle Hinton (FHWA) Janelle.Hinton@dot.gov
Scott Pichon (FTA) scott.pichon@dot.gov
Shaun Bouy (FAA)  shaun.bouy@faa.gov

Last updated: Tuesday, December 20, 2022