TCAT- DBE
Policy Statement
Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc. (hereinafter, known as TCAT) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. TCAT has received Federal financial assistance from the DOT, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, TCAT has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.
It is the policy of TCAT to ensure that DBEs are defined in part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. It is also our policy:
1.To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT – assisted contracts;
2.To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;
3.To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
4.To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
5.To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT assisted contracts;
6.To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE Program.
TCAT’s Controller Merideth Stanton was named TCAT’s DBE Liaison Officer, effective January 2024. The DBE Liaison Officer is responsible for implementing all aspects of the DBE program, which is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred by TCAT in its financial assistance agreements with the DOT.
TCAT has disseminated this policy statement to the TCAT Board of Directors and all of the components of our organization. We also distribute this statement to DBE and non-DBE business communities that perform work for us on DOT-assisted contracts; attached to Requests for Proposals; legal advertisements and relevant trade media .
Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc. (TCAT)
737 Willow Ave.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: 607-277-RIDE (7433)
(TTY) Relay Service: 711 or
800-662-1220 (English)/ 877-662-4886 (Español)
Fax: 607-277-9551
E-mail: tcat@tcatmail.com (please write “DBE” in the subject line.)
Website: www.tcatbus.com
As part of its procurement program, TCAT strongly encourages both DBE and small businesses to apply and/or bid to sell their goods and services necessary for TCAT’s operations and administration.
A description of TCAT’s FFY 2023-2025 DBE goal and the methodology used to achieve that goal are available here.
Tompkins County (primary recipient for federal transportation funding) and TCAT (subrecipient) held two public meetings on Nov. 20, 2023, to present TCAT’s three-year DBE goal setting process for Federal Fiscal Years(FFY) 2023, 2024 and 2025 pursuant to U.S. Department of Transportation(DOT) Federal Regulations 49 CFR Part 23 and 26.
Points that were open for discussion include:
- Whether firms face difficulties or barriers when bidding as prime contractors/consultants, sub-contractors/sub-consultants, or vendors.
- Whether business owners believe they have been treated fairly or unfairly based on their own race, ethnicity, or gender.
- Whether Prime contractors solicit or fail to solicit bids or price quotes from DBEs on non-goal projects.
- Whether they feel there is a level playing field for firms accessing capital, bonding, and insurance.
What Do We Buy?
Business Services
Advertising, consulting, legal services, temporary employees, uniforms and uniform rental, mailing, employee assistance program, drug and alcohol testing, auditing services, background checks.
Capital Improvements
Architectural and engineering services, construction, survey, passenger shelters, bus stop signs, other signage, bus lifts and shop equipment.
Facilities
Office equipment, furnishings, copier, multifunction printers,computers, vending, shelter and bus stop cleaning, pest removal,electricity, natural gas, hardware, carpet cleaning, spring water,repair and maintenance of facilities.
Insurance
General liability, workers compensation, health insurance, property insurance, risk management.
Operations
Vehicle filters, fuels, oils, grease, antifreeze, batteries, tires,electronics, diesel engines, transmissions, radiators, radio maintenance, miscellaneous fasteners, parts, washers, bus detergent,disposal of waste oil and solid waste.
Printing
Brochures, system maps, bus schedules, stationary, drawings.
Transportation
Fixed-route bus service, demand responsive paratransit service.
Vehicles
Transit buses and components, fare collection system, bicycle racks,mobile radios, wheelchair lifts, paratransit buses, autos, trucks,vehicle painting, decals, towing.
Miscellaneous
Office supplies, transit operations software, financial system software, other software, cellular phones and service, local and long distance telephone service, magnetic stripe plastic fare cards,promotional items, web design, website hosting.