DETERMINATION OF DBE PARTICIPATION A firm must be an eligible DBE and perform a professional or technical function relating to the project. Once a firm is determined to be an eligible DBE, the total amount paid to the DBE for work performed with his/her own forces is counted toward the DBE goal. When a DBE subcontracts part of the work of its contract to another firm, the value of the subcontracted work may be counted toward DBE goals only if the subprovider is itself a DBE. Work that a DBE subcontracts to a non-DBE firm does not count toward DBE goals. A DBE subprovider may subcontract no more than 70% of a federal aid contract. The DBE subprovider shall perform not less than 30% of the value of the contract work with assistance of employees employed and paid directly by the DBE; and equipment owned or rented directly by the DBE. DBE subproviders must perform a commercially useful function required in the contract in order for payments to be credited toward meeting the contract goal. A DBE performs a commercially useful function when it is responsible for executing the work of the contract and is carrying out its responsibilities by actually performing, managing, and supervising the work involved. To perform a commercially useful function, the DBE must also be responsible, with respect to materials and supplies used on the contract, for negotiating price, determining quality and quantity, ordering the material, and installing (where applicable) and paying for the material itself . When a DBE is presumed not to be performing a commercially useful function, the DBE may present evidence to rebut this presumption. A Provider may count toward its DBE goal a portion of the total value of the contract amount paid to a DBE joint venture equal to the distinct, clearly defined portion of the work of the contract performed by the DBE. Proof of payment, such as copies of canceled checks, properly identifying the Department’s contract number or project number may be required to substantiate the payment, as deemed necessary by the Department.
