DBE

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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

The MATA Board of Commissioners strongly supports the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and its policies, and is committed to making them a vital part of MATA’s business process.

DBEs are a vital part of the economic structure of the Mid-South and assisting those businesses contributes to their overall economic growth and expansion as well as strengthening the economic foundation of our community.

It is, therefore, the policy to create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts and to assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE Program through the following means:

  • Development: To explore ways to provide assistance to DBEs through training, seminars, and sharing information about new initiatives that affect minority-owned businesses.
  • Information: To keep DBEs informed on procurement activities and other activities taking place at MATA and in the community.
  • Outreach: To actively seek certified and certifiable DBE suppliers.
  • Relationships: To promote better business relationships between MATA and its vendors that will benefit all parties.
  • Utilization: To increase the utilization of DBEs in the purchasing process in routine purchases, requests for bids and contracts and other forms of purchase.
  • Understanding: To create an avenue to effectively communicate with DBEs concerning procurement policies and procedures.

Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is a recipient of federal funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). As such, MATA administers its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program consistent with 49 CFR 26, Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Programs.

The Memphis Area Transit Authority's (MATA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program has established a DBE goal of 24% in accordance with 49 CFR 26, Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Programs for FY2024 — FY2026. In DOT-assisted contracts or its DBE Program, MATA is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, or sex according to its policies and federal regulations. Public participation and written submissions are encouraged. Documents can be viewed during MATA's regular business hours. Comments regarding the goal may be directed to Anthony Amos, Chief Compliance Officer (1370 Levee Road, Memphis, TN 38108 - 901-722-7165 or [email protected]) or Doretha Foster, FTA Civil Rights Specialist, Federal Transit Administration, 230 Peachtree, NW Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30303. The regular business hours of MATA are between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays. All comments shall be reviewed and considered part of the goal methodology.

Compliance Officer

Anthony Amos - (901) 722-7165

The Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that MATA utilizes bona fide DBEs and does not discriminate in its procurement, employment, service or contracting services. Through outreach, training and dissemination of information, the CO proactively serves as an intermediary and liaison in interacting with employees, businesses, community organizations, minority and female contractor associations and public officials. The responsibilities of the CO are divided into two major functions:

DBE Function

The primary purpose of the DBE function is to ensure that those who participate in MATA contracts are owned and controlled by one or more minorities and women. In addition, this function develops various business development initiatives, which enable its DBE Vendors to expand  capacity and capabilities within the mainstream of their industries.

Some additional responsibilities of the DBE function include:

  • Ascertains eligibility of potential vendors who may qualify as participants in the DBE Program
  • Providesw vendor assistance by assisting new vendors in completing application for DBE Program eligibility
  • Maintains effective networking relationships with various governmental agencies, community groups, business groups and trade organizations
  • Recommends business development services for DBE vendors

Compliance Function

Some of the responsibilities of the compliance function include:

  • Establishing and assigning DBE goals to various federally funded contracts let by MATA
  • Reviewing DBE goals and utilization plans proposed by contractors
  • Monitoring DBE attainment by contractors, such as, verification of information, logging of information, processing reports, submitting reports, creating charts and graphs, and quarterly status reports to the MATA Board of Commissioners
  • Monitors, investigates and reviews prime contractor, subcontractor and sub tier contractor efforts to achieve compliance and applicable federal, state, and local agencies’ legislation
  • Participates in pre-bid and pre-award meetings between MATA personnel and contractors to ensure an understanding of contract obligations and that the requirements are met

 

Certification

MATA is a member of the Tennessee Unified Certification Program (TN UCP). It is no longer necessary to apply for DBE certification at more than one of the member agencies within the state. If your firm meets the criteria for certification, it will be entered in the TNUCP database. Only firms currently certified as eligible DBEs for the TNUCP may participate in the DBE program of U.S. DOT grantees within the state of Tennessee. The TNUCP is not required to process an application for certification from a firm having its principal place of business outside the state of Tennessee if the firm is not certified in its home state. 

If the firm has its principal place of business in another state and is currently certified in that state, please contact the Tennessee Department of Transportation (888)370-3647 or (615)741-3681 or Memphis Area Transit Authority (901) 722.7165. Also, the Mid-South Minority Business Council’s (MMBC) Unified Certification Agency (UCA) assists MATA with DBE certification efforts. MMBC certification inquiries should be directed to 901-525-6512, Ext. 615. Applicable links are as follows:

TN UCP https://www.tdot.tn.gov/applications/dbedirect/
MATA, DBE Program MMBC, UCA www.mmbc-memphis.org

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