The U.S. Department of Transportation has a new rule proposal that intends to make it easier for small and disadvantaged businesses to compete for federal contracts.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the new rule will also widen the U.S. contracting capacity as the $1.5T infrastructure law impacts demand for talent across a widening array of projects.
Under the proposal the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs would see several changes, including:
- Simplified ownership and control certification requirements;
- Simplified interstate certifications;
- Adopting so-called “COVID-19 flexibilities,” including virtual site visits;
- Reduced reporting requirements for some Federal Transit Administration recipients;
- Expanded marketing opportunities to prime contractors;
- Improved access to Federal Aviation Administration-assisted airport projects;
- Improved payment monitoring and oversight requirements.
Comments on the proposed changes are open through September 19th. The full summary is available here. Several other plans and proposals are in development to bring more DBE participants into the pipeline. (Source)