HISPANIC/LATINO BUSINESS OWNERS LEARN ABOUT DBE OPPORTUNITIES, APPLICATION PROCESS
March 2007 - Members of Greater Louisville Inc.’s Hispanic/Latino Business
Council recently learned that earning Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) status
doesn’t assure firms of a contract. It’s only the first step along
the way to securing design and construction work on the Ohio River Bridges Project.
Being diligent --
Two recognized authorities on the subject prevailed upon the more than 50 members
and guests attending the Jan. 29 event to be diligent in earning work once they’ve
achieved DBE status. Jose Sepulveda, Kentucky district administrator for the
Federal Highway Administration, and Jose Ceballos, director of the Kentucky Transportation
Cabinet’s Office of Business and Occupational Development (OBOD), stressed
several important points:
• There is ample work available on the Bridges Project for DBE firms
throughout the region
• In order to take advantage of these opportunities, firms must be accurate,
diligent and persistent in applying for DBE status
• Achieving DBE status alone is not enough – firms must strive
to close the loop by achieving prequalification status for construction work
Sepulveda
emphasized that operating as a DBE-certified company can help firms raise their
profile in the community, establish meaningful and productive business partnerships
and lead to improved workforce training and development opportunities. Ceballos
recommended adopting a strategic approach in seeking work, such as partnering with
other firms that bring complementary skills and experience to the team.
Clearing the first hurdle --
Business owners applying for certification were advised to be thorough. Ceballos
told minority business owners to carefully and accurately complete all paperwork
necessary for DBE consideration. His office examines all applications and
conducts on-site reviews, confirming that the firm’s work capabilities, financial
records, owner/proprietor status and other information accurately reflect the firm’s
DBE application.
Once an application has been received, OBOD has 90 days to respond. Ceballos
explained that incomplete or inaccurate application packets can be deferred, or
even turned down. If deferred, the applicant must wait another year before
re-applying.
“There’s
a misconception out there that becoming DBE-certified is all there is to securing
a contract,” Ceballos said. “We are working with the Bridges Project’s
Kentucky DBE Program to dispel that myth, to make sure everyone knows you have to
be aggressive, strategic and persistent in making sure that certification pay off.”