The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has released a preliminary copy of a study it commissioned to judge the effectiveness of its disdavantaged business enterprise (DBE) program.
GDOT’s DBE program is designed to increase the participation of minority-owned and woman-owned businesses in the contracts awarded by the state transportation agency, in accordance with federal DBE requirements.
Specifically, the 2012 Disparity Study of GDOT’s DBE program analyzes the participation of Minority (MBE) /Women-Owned (WBE) firms, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) in GDOT’s construction and engineering contracts from 2009 through June 2011.
An overview of the Disparity Study was presented to GDOT on April 18, 2012, and a copy of this presentation is available at: http://www.dot.ga.gov/doingbusiness/dbePrograms/Documents/Presentations/DisparityStudy-BoardPresentation.pdf.
A copy of the complete draft Disparity Study is available for download at: http://www.dot.ga.gov/doingbusiness/dbePrograms/Pages/default.aspx.
GDOT is soliciting comment on the draft study and its conclusions. Feedback about the Disparity Study can be submitted by completing the Public Comment Form (.pdf, 143K) or sending an email to disparitystudy@dot.ga.gov.
In addition, public comment is being solicited at three public forums being held across the state. Details appear below.
Public Comment Meeting Dates:
May 22 – 10AM – 12 Noon – Georgia DOT
600 West Peachtree St, NW – 4th Floor,
Atlanta, GA 30308 May 23
May 23 – 10AM – 12 Noon – Georgia DOT – Thomaston District Office
115 Transportation Blvd – Auditorium A, Thomaston, GA 30286
May 24 – 10AM – 12 Noon – Chatham County/Savannah Metropolitan Commission
110 East State Street, Savannah, GA 31412