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Caltrans holding DBE disparity study hearings The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is conducting an Availability and Disparity Study that will assist Caltrans and local governments in implementing their Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs in accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26.

The Study includes an analysis of the experiences of vendors and contractors with Caltrans and local agencies in connection with implementation of their DBE Program, and involves an analysis of whether or not there is evidence of discrimination or its effects in the transportation contracting industry in California. The California transportation contracting industry includes contracts funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) which are administered by Caltrans and local agencies as a primary recipient and sub-recipient of FHWA and FTA funds.

You are invited to participate in public hearings that will be held statewide in each Caltrans district. The first hearing will be held on May 1st in Sacramento. The purpose of the public hearings is to obtain personal testimony and accounts of experiences and incidents by vendors and contractors in the California public transportation contracting industry. Thc information Caltrans is seeking includes, but is not limited to:

• Whether or not firms face difficulties or barriers when bidding as prime contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers.
• Whether or not business owners believe they have been treated fairly or unfairly based on their race, ethnicity, or gender.
• Whether or not prime contractors solicit, or fail to solicit, bids or price quotes from DBEs on non-DBE goal projects.
• Whether or not there is a level playing field for firms in access to capital, bonding, and insurance.

If you are unable to attend a public hearing to provide Caltrans your testimony, you may submit it electronically, no later than Friday, July 8, 2012, to Anna_Silva@dot.ca.gov, or by U.S. mail to: Caltrans Office of Business & Economic Opportunity, Attention: Anna Silva, 1823 14th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

If you have any questions about the Caltrans public hearings, or would like to receive more information on the Availability and Disparity Study, contact Anna Silva, Disparity Study Project Manager, at (916) 324-0964 or Anna_Silva@dot.ca.gov.