News Archive
AVTA Holds DBE Educational Outreach and Training Workshop
February 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lancaster – The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA), in partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), will be holding an Educational Outreach and Training Workshop for business owners interested in becoming a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). As a recipient of federal funding, AVTA must establish and maintain purchasing policies that conform to FTA regulations, and DBE Certification can help small businesses competing for AVTA contracts for many types of goods and services.
Businesses participating in the workshop will receive important information on how to become certified through Caltrans or Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), as well as eligibility requirements and definitions under the DBE scope. Topics covered will include an AVTA and SBDC Resource Overview, Upcoming Procurement and Contracting Opportunities, DBE Certification Overview and Best Practices from Previously Awarded Contracts. Attendees can also register to become an AVTA vendor, and receive advance notification of upcoming opportunities to bid on contracts.
“AVTA is committed to increasing participation with our local small businesses,” said AVTA CEO Macy Neshati. “Although our compliance in the DBE program is mandated by the federal government, we are happy to do so because we believe it is the right thing to do.”
The DBE program ensures nondiscrimination in the award and administration of Department of Transportation (DOT) assisted contracts in highway, transit, and airport programs, and creates a level playing field on which DBE’s can compete fairly. In general, to be eligible for the DBE program, persons must own 51% or more of a “small business,” establish that they are socially and economically disadvantaged within the meaning of DOT regulations, and prove they control their business. Other factors that determine eligibility are business size, personal net worth, and independence of the business from other firms.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the AVTA Community Room, located at 42210 6th Street West in Lancaster. There is no cost for the workshop, and lunch is included for all attendees. Anyone interested in attending may register online at www.avta.com. For more information, please contact AVTA DBE Compliance Officer Kelly Miller at (661)729-2203.
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