Background and Applicability. In conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget and other affected Federal agencies, DOT published an update to 49 CFR Part 29 on November 26, 2003. This government-wide regulation implements Executive Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension, Executive Order 12689, Debarment and Suspension, and 31 U.S.C. 6101 note (Section 2455, Public Law 103-355, 108 Stat. 3327). The provisions of Part 29 apply to all grantee contracts and subcontracts at any level expected to equal or exceed $25,000 as well as any contract or subcontract (at any level) for Federally required auditing services. 49 CFR 29.220(b). This represents a change from prior practice in that the dollar threshold for application of these rules has been lowered from $100,000 to $25,000. These are contracts and subcontracts referred to in the regulation as “covered transactions.” Grantees, contractors, and subcontractors (at any level) that enter into covered transactions are required to verify that the entity (as well as its principals and affiliates) they propose to contract or subcontract with is not excluded or disqualified. They do this by (a) Checking the Excluded Parties List System, (b) Collecting a certification from that person, or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the contract or subcontract. This represents a change from prior practice in that certification is still acceptable but is no longer required. 49 CFR 29.300. Grantees, contractors, and subcontractors who enter into covered transactions also must require the entities they contract with to comply with 49 CFR 29, subpart C and include this requirement in their own subsequent covered transactions (i.e., the requirement flows down to subcontracts at all levels).
Background and Applicability. The newest version on the Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program became effective July 16, 2003. The rule provides guidance to grantees on the use of overall and contract goals, requirement to include DBE provisions in subcontracts, evaluating DBE participation where specific contract goals have been set, reporting requirements, and replacement of DBE subcontractors. Additionally, the DBE program dictates payment terms and conditions (including limitations on retainage) applicable to all subcontractors regardless of whether they are DBE firms or not. The DBE program applies to all DOT-assisted contracting activities. A formal clause such as that below must be included in all contracts above the micro-purchase level. The requirements of clause subsection b flow down to subcontracts. A substantial change to the payment provisions in this newest version of Part 26 concerns retainage (see section 26.29). Grantee choices concerning retainage should be reflected in the language choices in clause subsection d.
Background and Applicability. On May 27, 2021, Idaho Environmental Coalition, LLC (IEC) was awarded the Idaho Cleanup Project Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
Background and Applicability. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program applies to FTA recipients receiving planning, capital and/or operating assistance that will award prime contracts (excluding transit vehicle purchases) exceeding $250,000 in FTA funds in a Federal fiscal year. All FTA recipients above this threshold must submit a DBE program and overall triennial goal for DBE participation. The overall goal reflects the anticipated amount of DBE participation on DOT-assisted contracts. As part of its DBE program, FTA recipients must require that each transit vehicle manufacturer (TVM), as a condition of being authorized to bid or propose on FTA assisted transit vehicle procurements, certify that it has complied with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 26.49. Only those transit vehicle manufacturers listed on FTA's certified list of Transit Vehicle Manufacturers, or that have submitted a goal methodology to FTA that has been approved or has not been disapproved at the time of solicitation, are eligible to bid. FTA recipients must meet the maximum feasible portion of their overall goal using race-neutral methods. Where appropriate, however, recipients are responsible for establishing DBE contract goals on individual DOT-assisted contracts. FTA recipients may use contract goals only on those DOT-assisted contracts that have subcontracting responsibilities. See 49 C.F.R. § 26.51(e). Furthermore, while FTA recipients are not required to set a contract goal on every DOT-assisted contract, they are responsible for achieving their overall program goals by administering their DBE program in good faith. FTA recipients and third party contractors can obtain information about the DBE program at the following website locations: Federal Transit Administration website Disadvantaged Business Enterprise page click here Department of Transportation website Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program click here Flow Down The DBE contracting requirements flow down to all third party contractors and their contracts at every tier. It is the recipient’s and prime contractor’s responsibility to ensure the DBE requirements are applied across the board to all subrecipients/contractors/subcontractors. Should a subcontractor fail to comply with the DBE regulations, FTA would look to the recipient to make sure it intervenes to monitor compliance. The onus for compliance is on the recipient.
Background and Applicability
