Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Collaborative
Active dates:2010 -
Function: The collaborative shall review and evaluate the commissioner's implementation of the disadvantaged business enterprise program, under Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, and recommend changes, including possible legislation, to improve the effectiveness of the program in this state.
The collaborative shall develop recommendations to the commissioner and to the legislature as provided in paragraph (b) designed to implement fully the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program in this state and to improve the effectiveness of the program. These recommendations, including any draft legislation if the collaborative decides to recommend legislation, may include, but are not limited to, strategies, policies, and actions focused on:
(1) requiring bid proposals to include information on disadvantaged business enterprise participation;
(2) defining and implementing appropriate accountability measures when disadvantaged business enterprise contract goals are not met in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 49;
(3) sponsoring disadvantaged business enterprise training and development workshops; and
(4) strengthening the content and frequency of department reporting requirements relating to the disadvantaged business enterprise program.
(b) The collaborative shall report its findings and legislative recommendations, including draft legislation if the collaborative decides to recommend legislation, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance by February 1, 2011. The report must be made available electronically and available in print upon request.
History:
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) ensures that small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals have equal opportunity to participate on contracts and project work administered by Mn/DOT through the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.
Federal regulations (49 CFR Part 26) require that Mn/DOT, as a recipient of federal funds, administer a DBE Program. The DBE Program certifies small businesses that are owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, which may include, but are not limited to women and racial/ethnic minorities.
The DBE Program establishes DBE goals for federally funded construction and nonconstruction Mn/DOT projects. All projects receiving federal funds administered through Mn/DOT are subject to the rules of the Federal regulations and DBE Program guideline parameters.
A team of DBE Specialists manages the DBE Program. The DBE Specialists set an annual DBE goal for Mn/DOT, set DBE goals on projects, participate in the Minnesota Unified Certification Program, clear contractor Good Faith Efforts on individual contracts, monitor DBE performance on projects, administer the Business Development and Support Services Programs, and administer the Mentor-Protege Program and Joint Venture Agreements.
(Information above taken from the DBE Program website, MN Department of Transportation, 9/7/10).
Subordinate to:
Commissioner of Transportation
Record last updated:
04/05/2011
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