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DBE Certification Issues. “State Prospective” by Carolyn Bell Mississippi Department of Transportation. Workshop Objectives. Provide basic understanding of what is required to determine if a firm is eligible for DBE Certification
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DBE Certification Issues “State Prospective” by Carolyn Bell Mississippi Department of Transportation
Workshop Objectives • Provide basic understanding of what is required to determine if a firm is eligible for DBE Certification • Provide some actual techniques to meet the intentions of the regulations
Issues of Interest • Requirements to add other areas of certification • PNW Documentation: How Much?? • Renouncing Spousal Ownership • Recertification Process: What should be included? • Internal Appeals: Good or Bad?? • Manufacturer vs. Broker • Determining Control in Engineering Firms
Adding Areas to Certification Requirements • Must request in writing • Updated Resume • Completed Contracts • Documentation: Knowledge, expertise, equipment • Onsite Visit
PNW Documentation: How much? Standard • Completed PNW Form • 3 years personal tax returns
PNW Documentation: How much? Additional Information • Business tax returns • Bank Statements • Property tax statements • Deeds • Brokerage Statements • Divorce statements • Titles, invoices, affadavits
Renouncing Spousal Ownership • Notarized Affidavit • Any Legal Document (recorded and registered with the court) • Prenuptial Agreement • Separation agreement • Divorce Decree • Trust Agreement • Estate Distribution Plan
Recertification Process • Completed Application • Current license(s) • Updated PNW (w/tax returns) • Business Financial Statements • Loan Agreements (last 3 years) • Board Minutes • Onsite Review • Proof of Certification in Home State
Internal Appeals Process • Some states surveyed have an internal appeal process for initial certification • All states surveyed have appeal process for removing certification
Manufacturer vs. Broker • Manufacturer – Operates or maintains a factory or establishment that produces, on premises, the materials, supplies, etc. • Broker – Carries no inventory and only orders and has item(s) shipped to job site and bills the customer
Engineering Firms Must be able to . . . • Sign Engineering Plans • Provide expert testimony as an engineer • Engineering license through appropriate agency as required by state law
Resources USDOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization • Provides clarification on the intention of the regulations • Information provided approved by The General Counsel of the Department of Transportation osdbuweb.dot.gov/business/dbe/DBEguidance.cfm
Resources DBE Exchange Website • Allows open dialogue on issues of interest • Provides a medium to share best practices, success stories and lessons learned • Provides an event calendar http://knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/cops/dbex.nsf/home www.fhwa.dot.gov
Carolyn Bell Civil Rights Director Mississippi Department of Transportation P.O. Box 1850 Jackson, MS 39215-1850 601-359-7344 (work) 601-576-4504 (fax) cbell@mdot.state.ms.us