Policy Statement

The VT Agency of Transportation has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. The VT Agency of Transportation has received Federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, the VT Agency of Transportation has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.

It is the policy of the VT Agency of Transportation to ensure that DBEs, as defined in part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. In furtherance of the spirit and intent of part 26, the VT Agency of Transportation also adopts the following policies and objectives:

To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts;

To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;

To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;

To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;

To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts; and

To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program.

The Chief of Civil Rights & Labor Compliance, Lori Valburn, has been designated as the VT Agency of Transportation’s DBE Liaison Officer. In that capacity, she is responsible for implementing all aspects of the DBE program. Implementation of the DBE program is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred by the VT Agency of Transportation in its financial assistance agreements with the Department of Transportation.

The VT Agency of Transportation has disseminated this policy statement to the Agency’s Executive Staff and other senior management of our organization. We have distributed this statement to DBE and non-DBE business communities that perform work for us on DOT-assisted contracts. Distribution is accomplished by a variety of methods, including the posting of this statement on our website and a widespread direct mail distribution that includes all of our certified DBEs, our prequalified contractors, the Association of General Contractors, numerous technical assistance and service providers, and community based organizations serving the disadvantaged business community.