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DBE Program Goals

Please be advised that in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has established proposed overall goals on all federal-aid contracts for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation, as follows:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Goal:

In FY 2022-2024, VTrans intends to expend 7.32% of the Federal financial assistance received from FHWA with small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (DBEs). It is the intent of VTrans that this expenditure be obtained through a race and gender neutral program. On our FHWA-assisted contracts, VTrans estimates that we will meet our entire overall goal of 7.32% through race-neutral participation, and that we will not have to resort to race-conscious measures.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Goal:

In FY 2024- 2026, VTrans intends to expend 1.2% of the federal financial assistance received from the Federal Transit Administration with small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (DBEs). It is the intent of VTrans that this expenditure be obtained through a race and gender neutral program. On our FTA-assisted contracts, VTrans estimates that we will meet our entire overall goal of 1.2% through race-neutral participation, and that we will not have to resort to race-conscious measures. VTrans welcomes public comments and questions on its overall FTA DBE Goal. 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Goal:

In FY 2021-2023, the Vermont Agency of Transportation intends to expend 2.86% of the federal financial assistance received from the Federal Aviation Administration with small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (DBEs). The Vermont Agency of Transportation estimates that, in meeting our overall goal of 2.86%, we will obtain 0.43% from race-neutral participation and 2.43% through race-conscious measures.

Public Participation:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
VTrans has availed itself of a variety of techniques to comply with the goal setting provisions for participation by disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) in its DOT-assisted contracting program, as required by Section 26.45 of the DBE Regulations.

VTrans has solicited ideas and suggestions for developing and implementing overall goals by inviting input from the women, minority, and general contracting community. In keeping with our past tradition, we utilized a collaborative and inclusive approach to formulating a goal setting methodology, which included a series of open meetings with industry and community groups, and prime and DBE contractors and consultants.

Feedback from these individuals and organizations included information concerning the availability of disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged businesses, the effects of discrimination on opportunities for DBEs, and the scope and effectiveness of VTrans’ efforts to establish a level playing field for the participation of DBEs.

The proposed goal for each of our USDOT-assisted contracting programs was established through an ongoing dialogue with these parties and represents an informed consent by them.

For more detailed descriptions of our goal setting methodology:

DBE Goaling Methodology - FHWA

DBE Goaling Methodology - FTA

DBE Goaling Methodology - FAA
 


 

DBE Contract Specific Goal

Every federal-aid contract is reviewed to determine if DBE opportunities are available. The DBE contract goal is set by reviewing the type of project elements of work to be performed, time frame, geographical location, history of DBE and non-DBE usage, and available DBE firms. If a goal has been determined it will be expressed as a percentage of the total bid amount on a USDOT-assisted contract. 

DBE Goal Documents