Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

DBE goals help assure non-discrimination in the bidding & buying process

TCAT and Tompkins County will hold a public meeting to present its 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.

Two in-person public meetings will be held twice on Monday, November 20,2023, with the first one at 12:00pm, and the second one at 4:30pm at TCAT Main Office 737 Willow Avenue. Ithaca NY 14850. Phone (607) 277-9388.

Or, if you wish to attend virtually, please see information, right, to attend via Zoom.

TCAT recommends an overall DBE Goal of 0% for FFY 2023-2025. A description of the goal and information on the methodology used to establish the goal is available here and Tompkins County Coordinated Transportation Planning here. Copies will also be made available at the public meetings.

As part of the meeting, some of the information TCAT will seek 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.

During the meeting attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about the goals and make comments.

Please be advised that the statements will be limited to three minutes.

Written comments will be received through email or US mail (TCAT, 737 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY, 14850) until December 2,2023 at 5pm. Email comments to jegrove@tcatmail.com

Join Zoom Meeting
12 p.m. Mon., Nov. 20

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85437119481?pwd=WWhQbEFwckdzcXFxVDI5dnh6TjNoUT09

Meeting ID: 854 3711 9481Passcode: 399132

One tap mobile+16469313860,,85437119481#,,,,*399132# US+16465588656,,85437119481#,,,,*399132# US (New York)

Dial by your location• +1 646 931 3860 US• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)Meeting ID: 854 3711 9481Passcode: 399132

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbj7eGww2D

Or
4:30 p.m. Mon., Nov. 20

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81767818491?pwd=eDZsc0xCVjRmeUc2TmZLZmRlTDNWUT09

Meeting ID: 817 6781 8491Passcode: 897691

One tap mobile+16469313860,,81767818491#,,,,*897691# US+16465588656,,81767818491#,,,,*897691# US (New York)

Dial by your location• +1 646 931 3860 US• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)• +1 305 224 1968 US• +1 309 205 3325 US• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Meeting ID: 817 6781 8491Passcode: 897691

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kNivQw257

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 Department of Transportation, 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 Julie Ellis-Grove has been delegated as the DBE Liaison Officer. In that capacity, the Controller 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 TCAT in its financial assistance agreements with the Department of Transportation.

TCAT has disseminated this policy statement to the TCAT Board of Directors and all of the components of our organization. We 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 .

See TCAT’s 2023-2025 DBE plan proposal here.

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
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.

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.