Small businesses in the U.S. are facing extraordinary ongoing difficulty in light of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Because of this, more individuals may want to apply for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification through an individualized showing of disadvantage. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm Eastern that clarified some of the qualifications for DBE. Presenters discussed which groups are presumed disadvantaged under DBE program regulation, and described the process for questioning the group membership of an owner who claims social and economic disadvantage. They explained the unique procedures for confirming Native American status, clarified making an individualized determination of disadvantage, and reviewed pertinent appeal decisions. Last of all, presenters explained the burden of proof an applicant firm bears, examples of evidence, and the procedures that certifiers must follow.
This webinar is sponsored by the TRB Standing Committee on Contracting Equity.

The slides are linked in the meeting materials below. Click here to view the recording.

Webinar agenda and presenters

1. Claiming and confirming social and economic disadvantage: Aarthi Haig, U.S. Department of Transportation Departmental Office of Civil Rights
2. Responsibilities of applicants and certifiers: Samuel F. Brooks, U.S. Department of Transportation Departmental Office of Civil Rights
3. Question and answer session: Moderated by Marc Pentino, U.S. Department of Transportation Departmental Office of Civil Rights

The first 90 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, you will able to:

1. Correctly question a claim of group membership within the bounds of DBE regulation
2. Determine whether a firm owner not claiming a presumption of disadvantage meets the criteria for an individualized showing of disadvantage

Professional Development Hours

Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.

Continuing Legal Education Credits

TRB offered 1.75 CLE credits for this webinar. TRB did not seek approval for this workshop from the state board. Registered webinar attendees who signed in and viewed the entire webinar received a link to a certificate that they can fill out and provide to the appropriate MCLE Board(s) or Commission(s) within 30 days of activity.