Disadvantaged Business Enterprise & FTA Regulations
Ben Franklin Transit (BFT), a recipient of federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is committed to a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program under regulations of the DOT, 49 CFR Part 26.
BFT is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses, regardless of race, color, national origin, or gender of the business’s owner, have equal access to BFT contracts. Our Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, as defined in Part 26, is designed to provide the maximum practicable opportunity for DBEs to participate in the performance of work relating to all BFT’s activities. We take all necessary steps per 49 CFR Part 26, and as amended, to ensure DBEs have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts.
If you have comments or suggestions regarding BFT’s DBE goals, please direct them to:
Additional program objectives include:
- Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts.
- Create a level playing field where DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts.
- Ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored per applicable law.
- Ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs.
- Help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts.
For those interested in receiving additional information or inclusion in BFT’s program, community organizations or agencies interested in giving or receiving program information, and individuals interested in providing or receiving program information, please get in touch with our Senior Procurement Manager using the contact information above.
FTA Regulations
BFT receives federal grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTAFederal Transit Administration (formerly UMTA - Urban Mass Transit Administration) More) to fund a portion of its operations and some capital expenditures. Therefore, specific FTAFederal Transit Administration (formerly UMTA - Urban Mass Transit Administration) More procurement regulations and many other rules apply. These regulations are outlined in the FTAFederal Transit Administration (formerly UMTA - Urban Mass Transit Administration) More Master Agreement for Grantees, a crucial document that vendors should review to understand the terms and conditions of their participation. The current version of this agreement can be viewed on the FTAFederal Transit Administration (formerly UMTA - Urban Mass Transit Administration) More website.
The FTAFederal Transit Administration (formerly UMTA - Urban Mass Transit Administration) More also publishes Circular 4220.1F, which summarizes only the procurement rules contained in the Master Agreement.
Vendors bidding on BFT FTA-funded contracts, such as those for construction, equipment procurement, or professional services, must carefully review and consider the FTA-required contracting terms and conditions commonly referred to as the Federal Clauses. Several mandatory clauses apply to every procurement action; others are situational or based on the contract dollar threshold.