DBE & UDBE Goals and Commitment

Federally funded contracts that are administered by SANBAG, including American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Economic Stimulus) funds, are subject to the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26, Title 49 entitled “Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs”.  For a copy of the code, please visit the U. S. Government Printing Office website:  www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfg/waisidx_03/49cfr26_03.html. 

Effective June 2, 2009, the State of California has implemented a Race-Conscious Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (RC DBE) Program.  All Federally funded contracts awarded after that date shall include the RC DBE requirements.  For more information, please visit the Caltrans Division of Local Assistance website:  www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/DBE_CRLC.html

Contract Specific Underutilized Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (UDBE) are published in the “Notice Inviting Bids” for each Federally funded project. To be eligible, DBE/UDBE subcontractors must be certified with the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP).  For more information, please visit the Caltrans Civil Rights website: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/bep 

• DBE Certification
  Please visit the Caltrans Civil Rights website to obtain DBE certification and also to download the DBE application:  www.dot.ca.gov/hq/bep
• Access CUCP online Database of DBE Firms
  www.dot.ca.gov/ucp/GetLicenseForm.do
• DBE Resources
  Helpful FAQ regarding the DBE Program and recent changes can be found via the following website: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/bep/documents/DBEFAQ03-09.pdf
• Free Training Courses
  The California Construction Contracting Program (CCCP) offers free training courses, 1-on-1 counseling and resources through the use of, but not limited to former contractors and business owners who are familiar with Caltrans and local agencies’ bidding and award processes. The partners in this organization are:  Caltrans, the California Community College’s Economic Workforce Development Program, and the California Small Business Development Center. Please check out their website for additional information and a schedule of public meetings, classes, and upcoming contracts: www.buildcalifornia.org.
  
  In Southern California, DBE Certification is handled by Los Angeles Metro.  Metro hosts a two-hour orientation/workshop on the second Tuesday of each month to advise firms on how to do business with Metro and the different small business certification programs that are offered by public agencies, including the DBE Certification Program. www.metro.net/about/deod/10-steps/
• Mentoring Program
  Caltrans District 8 (San Bernardino and Riverside Counties) has developed a mentoring program.  To learn more about how they can provide you with expert advice, please contact:  www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/resources/calmentor/index.php
• A Local Source for Assistance
  For general business assistance, the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center offers a wide variety of courses, mentoring programs, and resources.  Their website is: www.iesmallbusiness.com.
  
  The Inland Empire Minority Business Enterprise Council is a federally funded program that provides technical assistance, training, and networking opportunities to high growth minority business owners in the Inland Empire, Orange County and San Diego areas. Services include:  Loan Packaging, Bonding Assistance, MBE/DBE/WBE/SB Certification Packaging and Procurement Matching.  All services are provided in a bilingual/bicultural environment (English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese). Inland Empire MBEC-CHARO, 1825 Chicago Ave, Ste 130, Riverside, CA 92507 (Phone) 951-320-7020.  www.inlandempirembec.com

• Good Faith Efforts
  This .zip file contains several documents including the SANBAG Good Faith Effort Guide and helpful hints for submitting and evaluating Good Faith Efforts and UDBE Form 15-H in PDF and MS Word formats.
• California Department of Transportation “Caltrans” Website
  www.dot.ca.gov/
• Forms
  You can obtain current DBE reporting forms from the following Caltrans website:
  www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/lam/forms/lapmforms1.htm
• Instructions
  The Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual describes the various procedures required to process Federal and State funded local transportation projects..  Chapter 9 refers to Civil Rights and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.
  www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/lam/lapm.htm#09
  
• Caltrans Publications
  You can obtain a list of all publications available through Caltrans at this link.  It includes ordering information.
  caltrans-opac.ca.gov/publicat.htm
• Directory of DBE Firms
  This is a Caltrans publication that is searchable online.  If you are a DBE/UDBE firm, you may want to check to see that you are listed.  If not, contact the Caltrans Civil Rights Certification Unit at (916)324-8347.
  www.dot.ca.gov/hq/bep/find_certified.htm

• Caltrans Events
  Caltrans’ Office of Business & Economic Opportunity maintains a calendar of events statewide for small businesses. These events include training sessions, networking opportunities, and workshops.
  www.dot.ca.gov/hq/bep/calendar2.htm
• Contracting Opportunities
  This is a link to the SANBAG webpage that provides information about current contracting opportunities.  Check back often for new listings. www.sanbag.ca.gov/about/contracting.html
• Calendar of Events with Free Training Opportunities
  There are many free training opportunities to learn more about operating a business in the State of California.  Here are two comprehensive resources.
  - dbegoodfaith.com/News/news_releases_details.aspx?ID=33
  - theftc.org/news&events/upcomingevents/upcomingevents.htm

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