Due to weather conditions, the Florida Highway Patrol has closed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Equal Opportunity Office
What are the goals and objectives of the DBE Program?
(1)
Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of
contracts
(2)
Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly
for contracts
(3)
Ensure that the Department's DBE Program is narrowly tailored
(4)
Ensure that only firms that fully meet the eligibility standards
are permitted to participate as DBEs
(5)
Assist in the development of firms that can compete successfully
in the marketplace outside the DBE Program
Where can I find the Code of Federal Regulations that
administers the DBE Program?
The DBE Program is a
federal program operating under the guidance of the U.S.
Department of Transportation.
Authorization for the program comes from 49 Code of
Federal Regulation Part 26 (49 CFR 26).
As a recipient of federal transportation funds, the
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) must comply with the
requirements of 49 CFR 26.
You may review the complete regulation at
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title49/49cfr26_main_02.tpl.
How are DBE participation goals established?
The Department's DBE
Program is implemented through race and gender neutral means.
Ultimately, we believe our DBE goal can be achieved under
the normal competitive process.
Prime contractors and Prime consultants submit voluntary
commitments and actual expenditures with DBEs.
Race neutral under the
construction program is defined as not setting race or gender
specific goals on the individual projects, but counting all
participation of DBE subcontractors utilized by contractors on
projects.
Race neutral under the
consultant or professional services program is defined as not
assigning race or gender preference points on projects for prime
consultants who were either DBEs or who utilized DBEs for a
certain percentage of work but counting all participation of DBE
sub-consultants utilized by consultants on projects.
What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise?
A Disadvantaged Business
Enterprise (DBE) is a for-profit, independent small business
concern that is:
(1)
At least 51% owned by one or more individuals who are both
socially and economically disadvantaged; and
(2)
Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by
one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals who own it.
What is the Unified Certification Program (UCP)?
The UCP provides "one-stop
shopping" where disadvantaged businesses that meet the DBE
certification requirements and become certified are eligible to
be used to meet the DBE goal requirements on any project with
funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The UCP eliminates the need for multiple DBE
certifications with recipients of funding from the U.S.
Department of Transportation.
In Florida, DBE UCP
Certifying Members shall make certification decisions on behalf
of all recipients in the state, with respect to participation in
the U.S. Department of Transportation DBE Program.
(1)
The UCP shall provide "one-stop shopping" to applicants for
certification, such that an applicant is required to apply only
once for a DBE certification and all recipients in the state
will honor that certification.
(2)
All obligations of recipients with respect to certification and
nondiscrimination must be carried out by UCPs, and recipients
may use only UCPs that comply with the certification and
nondiscrimination requirements of 49 CFR Part 26.
(3)
A UCP is not required to process an application for
certification from a firm having its principal place of business
outside the state of Florida if the firm is not certified by the
UCP in their "home state", where it maintains its principal
place of business.
(4)
A UCP DBE Directory containing all firms certified by the
Florida DBE UCP Program is available to the public
electronically, on the internet.
The DBE Directory is updated as additions/changes are
made. The web
address for the DBE Directory is
https://www3.dot.state.fl.us/EqualOpportunityOffice/biznet/mainmenu.asp
Who qualifies to be a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise?
In general, to be eligible
for the DBE Program, individuals must be U.S. citizens, or
lawfully admitted permanent residents; who own 51%, or more of a
"small business"; establish that they are both socially and
economically disadvantaged within the definition of the
regulation; and show through the regulation standards they
control the business.
The following general guidelines, taken in part from the
applicable regulation (49 CFR Part 26); will help business
owners determine whether they are eligible for the DBE Program:
-
Ownership
- The business must be 51% owned by a socially and economically
disadvantaged individual(s).
Additional program
requirements and certification procedures are found in
Regulation, 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26.
Is there a cost to become DBE certified?
The Florida Department of
Transportation does not charge a fee to become DBE certified.
How can I apply for DBE certification?
Businesses interested in becoming DBE certified under the Florida UCP Program must submit a complete DBE application to the FDOT or applicable certifying UCP Member. The application must be signed and notarized. If the firm engages in or intends to engage in:
-
Primarily road, highway or bridge construction or maintenance
related
goods or services --- submit the DBE application to the
FDOT;
-
Primarily airport related
goods or services --- submit the DBE application to the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certifying Member closest to
your primary business or with the FAA Certifying Member whom you
have an on-going contractual relationship;
-
Primarily transit related
goods and services, including concessions --- submit the DBE
application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Certifying Member
closest to your primary place of business or with the FTA
Certifying Member whom you have an on-going contractual
relationship.
When applying to the FDOT,
the complete application must be mailed or physically delivered
to the Equal Opportunity Office at 605 Suwannee Street, M.S. 65,
Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
All applications will be reviewed and verified.
Additional information may be requested and an on-site
interview will be conducted prior to final decision.
I need help filling out the application, is there anyone I can
contact?
The Department has a
supportive service provider, the
Blackmon-Roberts Group who can assist you in completing the DBE
application and support documents.
Supportive service assistance is free to firms who are
seeking FDOT DBE certification.
Visit their website at
www.brgfl.com
or call 877-450-3237.
What is the DBE Certification Process?
Step 1 Application is received.
Step 2 Application is checked for completeness.
If incomplete, the applicant is sent a letter requesting
missing information.
Step 3 Once the application is complete an on-site review is
scheduled and conducted at the applicant's office.
During the on-site review, interviews are conducted with
the owners of the firm
Step 4
All materials submitted by the applicant and the on-site
report are reviewed by the DBE Certification Consultant, who
determines if the applicant meets the eligibility standards.
Step 5
The DBE Certification Analyst reviews the application and
makes a recommendation on the firm's eligibility for
certification in the DBE program. The DBE Certification Analyst
also reviews the work classification(s) requested and make a
recommendation regarding the adequacy of the applicant's
resources to perform in these work areas.
Step 6
If the application is approved, the applicant is
notified, in writing, of the certification approval.
The certification approval letter indicates approval of
the firm as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) to perform
work of specific types. The firm must annually submit an
affidavit, personal net worth statement and tax documentation to
the FDOT Equal Opportunity Office by the certification
anniversary date to remain an active DBE.
If an application is denied, the Department issues a denial
letter listing the reasons for the intended denial and provides
information related to the appeal process.
If an application is withdrawn, the applicant is notified, in
writing, of the missing documentation and has up to one year to
provide the requested information necessary to complete the
application. If the
applicant fails to provide the missing information within one
year, the file is then administratively closed.
How long does it take to get DBE certified?
It takes time to process
an application and to approve certification.
The efforts made to submit a complete application with
all the requested documentation will help decrease the
processing time. In
accordance with the regulation, the Department has 90 days to
process a complete application.
The processing time starts once a complete application is
received.
How long does the DBE certification period last?
As long as a firm
continues to meet the standards established in 49 CFR 26, DBE
certification is ongoing; however, the firm is required to
annually submit an Affidavit of Continuing Eligibility (and
supporting documentation) by the anniversary date of
certification.
How can I verify if a business is a certified DBE?
The Department maintains a DBE Directory identifying all firms eligible to participate as DBEs. The DBE Directory lists the firm's name, address, telephone number, and the type of work the firm has been certified to perform as a DBE. The Florida DBE UCP Directory is available to the public electronically, on the internet. The DBE UCP Directory is updated as additions/changes are made. The address for the DBE Directory is https://www3.dot.state.fl.us/EqualOpportunityOffice/biznet/mainmenu.asp.
What are the benefits of being a certified DBE?
(1)
DBEs may be used to satisfy a DBE goal on any project with
funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (i.e.
airports, transit agencies).
(2)
DBEs receive statewide exposure for contracting opportunities
through the DBE Directory, which provides one list of all DBE
firms certified in the State of Florida.
Prime contractors and consultants are strongly encouraged
to use the DBE Directory to identify
subcontractors/sub-consultants for their projects.
(3)
DBEs may participate in a variety of supportive services such as
training and technical assistance if they are construction and
consulting firms involved in a road, highway or bridge
construction or maintenance related business.
Many of these services are at no cost or reduced cost to
certified DBEs.
Do I have to be prequalified to be DBE certified?
No, a firm is not required
to be prequalified to become DBE certified.
Contractors must be
prequalified with the Department in order to bid for the
performance of road, bridge, or public transportation
construction contracts greater than $250,000.00.
Prequalification is accomplished by using an application
process. The Contractor Prequalification process results in the
issuance of a Certificate of Qualification for each successful
applicant which lists the approved work classes and the Maximum
Capacity Rating in dollars.
Visit the FDOT Contracts Administration website to learn
more
https://www3.dot.state.fl.us/ContractorPreQualification/.
Consultants are
prequalified in two levels:
(1)
Unlimited - This level of qualification allows consultants to
compete for any projects for which they are technically
qualified with the Department. Continued qualification at this
level requires annual submittal of a qualification form along
with proof of insurance and an overhead audit prepared by an
independent CPA.
(2)
Minor Projects Only - This level of qualification allows
consultants to compete for minor projects with fees estimated at
or below $250,000. Contract advertisements identify
whether a contract is a minor project or a major project.
Continued qualification at the minor project level requires
annual submittal of a qualification form along with proof of
insurance. A self-certified overhead report and statement
describing the firm's accounting system is recommended, but not
required.
Why are there two different grading systems for prime
contractors and consultants?
The grading scale for
prime Consultants is higher than the one for Contractors because
there is a higher percentage of DBEs that are consultants than
are contractors.
What is BizWeb?
The Code of Federal
Regulations (49 CFR 26) requires that the State Transportation
Agencies collect actual payments made to Disadvantaged Business
Enterprises (DBEs).
The BizWeb internet system is provided for contractors,
consultants and local agencies to provide FDOT with this
information. BizWeb
is designed for those who have contracts directly with the FDOT
to report the actual payments made to DBEs certified by FDOT or
another UCP certifying member.
This system is also being used to track actual payments
to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) certified by the State
of Florida Office of Supplier Diversity.
How do I obtain a username and password to use BizWeb?
Contact the FDOT Equal
Opportunity Office at
EOOHelp@dot.state.fl.us or call
850-414-4747 and provide the following information:
(1)
Federal Employer ID Number (FEIN)
(2)
Full address of the firm
(3)
Telephone, Fax and Email contact information
I forgot my BizWeb password or the system will not accept my
password, what should I do?
The BizWeb system is case
sensitive, be sure that your cap lock keyboard key is turned
off. To reset your
password, Prime Contractors should send an email request,
including their FEIN and contact information, to the FDOT Equal
Opportunity Office at
EOOHelp@dot.state.fl.us.
Why doesn't my payment appear in BizWeb?
There are a few likely
reasons why a payment entered in the system does not appear in
BizWeb:
(1)
The contract number entered is not a valid FDOT contract number.
(2)
The contract number entered does not belong to the prime
contractor or consultant firm that entered it.
(3)
The FEIN number entered for the sub does not match any firms in
our database.
(4)
The FEIN number entered for the sub or prime has a dash.
Make sure the FEIN does not include a dash when entered
into the system.
NOTE:
If none of the above resolves your issue, then send an
email request to
EOOHelp@dot.state.fl.us
for further assistance.
Please include any screen shots so that we may better
assist you.
How do I delete duplicate payment(s)?
Send an email request to
EOOHelp@dot.state.fl.us with the following
information:
(1)
Contract number
(2)
Subcontractor's name
(3)
Payment amount to be deleted
(4)
Date payment was submitted
(5)
Your contact information
How do I enter payments in BizWeb as a Local Agency?
Click here for the LAP CBT
training. This
training will show you how to report payments on Local Agencies,
set up LAP agreements and much more!
http://wbt.dot.state.fl.us/ois/LAPBizWebCBT/index.htm.
How can I get more information about the DBE Program?
To obtain additional
information on the Florida UCP DBE Program, contact Arthur
Wright at 850-414-4749 or Victoria Smith at 850-414-4746.
