Port Arthur Transit (PAT), a key public transportation provider in Texas, has recently announced its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals for the federal fiscal years 2024 through 2027. 

This announcement, in compliance with the 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 26, sets a significant objective for including minority-owned and small businesses in federally-assisted contracts.

PAT has set an ambitious goal of 10% participation of DBEs in its contracts over the next three years. The organization has a strategic approach to achieve this target, estimating that 3% of this goal will be met through race-neutral participation. In comparison, the remaining 7% will be attained through race-conscious measures. This plan reflects a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity in its operations, ensuring that minority-owned businesses have a fair opportunity to compete for contracts.

The DBE goal is grounded in a thorough analysis of factors such as the historical involvement of bidders in Jefferson County, the prevalence of minority-owned businesses, and the routine contracts of PAT. While striving to surpass these goals, PAT is also focused on meeting the 80:20 capital match requirement, a critical aspect of its funding structure. PAT plans to routinely evaluate their goals and set specific contract targets for individual projects to ensure they are on track.

Public scrutiny and feedback play a crucial role in this process. PAT has provided a 30-45 day period, following the public notice on January 5, 2024, for the public to review and comment on their rationale for setting the revised DBE goal. This period allows community members, stakeholders, and interested parties to inspect and provide input on PAT’s strategy for enhancing DBE participation.

PAT's initiative represents a concerted effort to comply with federal regulations and actively promote a diverse and inclusive business environment. This goal-setting is a step towards creating a more equitable platform for historically disadvantaged businesses to contribute significantly to the region’s transportation infrastructure.