The Santa Cruz METRO Board of Directors has enacted a new DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) policy to encourage the maximum participation of DBEs in all Santa Cruz METRO contracting activities.

The public notice circulated by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (Santa Cruz METRO) proposed the DBE goal of 0% for contracts supported by the US DOT (Department of Transportation) for 2024-2026. 

Santa Cruz METRO is required to set a target for DBE participation in federally funded procurements as part of this program. California-based DBE firms are accredited through the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP).

Santa Cruz METRO possesses a policy of ensuring that DOT-assisted contracts are awarded and managed without discrimination based on sex, race, national origin, color, disability, and/or sexual orientation. METRO aims at providing a level playing field so DBEs can fairly compete for DOT contracts. 

From July 11, 2023, until September 22, 2023, Santa Cruz METRO's website (www.scmtd.com) will be open for public inspection to view the rationale for this objective and any supporting documentation relating to the DBE program. 

All written opinions on Santa Cruz METRO's proposed DBE objective and its justification will be received by 5:00 PM on September 21, 2023. 

You can send the comment to the following address

Federal Transit Administration, Region 9 Office, San Francisco Federal Bldg, 90 7th Street, Suite 15-300, San Francisco, CA 94103

Or,

Chuck Farmer, DBE Liaison Officer, 110 Vernon Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Or, 

Email at DBE@scmtd.com

Santa Cruz METRO is working with Bonfire Interactive to make a procurement portal to let businesses find out about new project opportunities and send bids and proposals to Santa Cruz METRO online. 

 Even if businesses have already registered as vendors and done projects with them before, they'll need to re-register through the Bonfire procurement site. Businesses must choose at least one NAICS code for their company if not more than one. These codes will be used to set up the solicitations, and vendors and companies with the same codes will be matched to them.