The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is currently developing its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals for the federal fiscal years 2025-2027. UDOT has released a draft of its DBE Goal and Methodology Report, which is available for public review and comment on the UDOT Civil Rights webpage from August 5, 2024, to September 4, 2024.

The DBE program is designed to ensure that small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals have a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts. UDOT’s goal-setting process is part of a broader effort to create a level playing field and eliminate barriers that may prevent these businesses from fully participating in such contracts.

Public feedback is a crucial part of this process, and UDOT encourages individuals to submit comments specifically related to the DBE goal and its development. Comments can be emailed to civilrights@utah.gov.

UDOT’s DBE policy is centered around key objectives such as ensuring nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts, supporting the development of DBEs, and making sure that the program is narrowly tailored according to applicable laws. The Civil Rights Manager, who acts as the DBE liaison officer, will oversee the program, with responsibilities including direct access to UDOT’s Executive Director on DBE matters.

This initiative reflects UDOT’s ongoing commitment to promoting equal opportunity in the transportation sector, which aims to ensure that disadvantaged businesses can compete effectively for federal contracts.