Laredo Transit Management Inc. (El Metro) established its Federal Transit Administration (FTA) FFY 2024 -2026 triennial DBE Goal and sought public participation. In accordance with 49 CFR Part 26.45(g)(1), El Metro, invited public participation consultation from minority, women’s, and general contractor groups, community organizations, and other officials or organizations that could be expected to have information concerning the availability of disadvantaged and non-disadvantage businesses, the effects of discrimination on opportunities for DBEs, and El Metro’s efforts to establish a level playing field for the participation of DBEs. El Metro anticipates seven total projects estimated cost of $55,712,011.00.
El Metro has established an overall 3-year disadvantaged Business Enterprise goal of .416% applicable to contracting opportunities scheduled to be awarded during the period of October 1, 2023- September 30, 2026.
Public Consultation and Publication
(1) Consultation: In establishing an overall goal, El Metro provided time for public consultation. This took place virtually on January 26, 2024. The link to the video of the event is located here:
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Invitations were sent to all DBEs from the Texas Unified Certification Program as well as non-DBEs, majority business owners, minority business owners, women owners, advocacy, general contractors, professional service, trade association groups, community organizations, and other officials or organizations which could be expected to have information concerning:
1) The availability of disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged businesses;
2) The effects of discrimination on opportunities for DBEs, and
3) El Metro’s efforts to establish a level playing field for the participation of DBEs.
El Metro’s triennial DBE goal for FFY24-26 DBE is located here for public viewing.
Certification Process
A few years ago, if you wanted to do business as a DBE statewide in Texas, you would have to fill out dozens of applications with entities around the State. Then the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) required that all DOT-funded recipients participate in a “unified certification program” for each state in the USA in an effort to alleviate the paperwork burden on small businesses. As a result, in October 2002, Texas established a system whereby six (6) major organizations now certify DBE firms across the state. Now, Texas DBE firms can only be certified by the agency servicing the county in which their home office is located. Firms are then entered into one centralized database holding all DBEs certified in Texas. DBEs are eligible to bid on DOT-funded contracts throughout the state.
For information on becoming a DBE in Laredo, please contact the Texas Department of Transportation Laredo District Office at (956)712-7402. In addition, you may find additional information at https://www.txdot.gov/business/partnerships/dbe.html
Once the application and all necessary documentation have been submitted and reviewed, a site visit will be conducted at the business location. Determination of DBE eligibility and recommendation of DBE certification will be made at the conclusion of the process. Successful applicants will be placed on the statewide DBE database and issued a DBE certificate valid for 3 years.
