NOTICES
Revised Goal--Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE); Participation in Federally-Funded Contracts
[30 Pa.B. 3626] Under the authority contained in the Transportation Act for the 21st Century, Act of June 9, 1998, Pub. L. No 105-178, 112 Stat. 113 (23 U.S.C. § 101), and in keeping with the requirements of Part 26 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Department) provides public notice of its revised goal for participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in its federally assisted contracts.
Pending receipt of public comments, the Department's revised goal is a work in progress. However, the Department proposes an overall goal of 8.90 percent for DBE participation in Department contracts funded in whole or in part with federal monies.
As a recipient of federal funds from the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) through its agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration, the Department must comply with the goal setting provisions of the new US DOT DBE regulation, set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, effective March 4, 1999. The Department is mandated to submit a revised goal and methodology for federally assisted contracts in accordance with the provisions of 49 C.F.R. Sections 26.45 and 26.51. The revised goal and methodology must be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration by August 1, 2000. An important part of this process is providing notice to the public concerning the revised goal and methodology used to arrive at the final goal and affording the public the opportunity to provide comments on the goal proposal.
To comply with the goal setting provisions of the new regulation, the Department employed a two step process, as outlined in 49 C.F.R. Section 26.45. Under step one, the Department created a baseline figure for the relative availability of ''ready, willing and able DBEs'' in a relevant market, derived from demonstrative evidence of local market conditions. To this end, the Department developed a definition of ''ready, willing and able DBEs'' relative to any business ''ready willing and able'' to perform on federally assisted Department contracts. The Department considered historical activity within specified market areas including research, engineering, and design consulting, contractors (prime, subcontractors and suppliers), and other consultant activities. Additionally, the Department developed a ratio within market areas of ''ready willing and able DBEs'' relative to the universe of all other ''ready willing and able'' enterprises.
Under step two, the Department examined all relevant evidence in its jurisdiction to determine what adjustments, up or down, are needed to arrive at the overall goal, taking into consideration other conditions or variables impacting DBEs in the Commonwealth. As part of this adjustment phase, the Department considered market potential based upon employment security data and other public data. The Department also considered certain changes relative to counting and certification that occurred as the result of the new regulation.
Consistent with the public participation requirement for this process, the Department is making the proposed revised goal and methodology available for inspection and review for forty-five days from the date of this notice. The Department considers the revised overall goal and methodology a work in progress pending input from the public. To review the DBE goal documents, contact any of the following locations:
Bureau of Equal Opportunity
555 Walnut Street--8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1900
717-787-5891
attn.: Jocelyn I. HarperEngineering District 2-0
1924-30 Daisy St, PO Box 342
Clearfield, PA 16830
814-765-0410
attn.: George M. Khoury, PEEngineering District 4-0
O'Neill Highway
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-4010
attn.: Charles M. Mattei, PEEngineering District 6-0
7000 Geerdes Blvd.
King of Prussia, PA 19406
610-205-6660
attn.: Andrew L. WarrenEngineering District 9-0
1620 North Juniata St.
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
814-696-7100
attn.: Earl L. Neiderheiser, PEEngineering District 11-0
45 Thorns Run Road
Bridgeville, PA 15017
412-429-5001
attn.: Raymond S. Hack, PEThe Bottom Line
168 South 19th St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
1-888-323-2778
attn.: Robert StuparEngineering District 1-0
1140 Liberty Street
Franklin, PA 16323
814-437-4291
attn.: John L. Baker, PEEngineering District 3-0
715 Jordan Avenue
Montoursville, PA 17754
570-368-4200
attn.: Paul E. Heise, PEEngineering District 5-0
1713 Lehigh Street
Allentown, PA 18103-4727
610-798-4100
attn.: Walter E. Bortree, PEEngineering District 8-0
2140 Herr Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103-1699
717-772-0778
attn.: Barry G. Hoffman, PEEngineering District 10-0
Route 286 South, Box 429
Indiana, PA 15701
724-357-2806
attn.: Richard H. Hogg, PEEngineering District 12-0
PO Box 459
Uniontown, PA 15401-0459
724-439-7340
attn.: Michael H. Dufalla, PEJohn Milligan, CPA
105-107 N 22nd St, 2nd Fl
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1-800-453-0998
attn.: Joe HerzogThe document may also be reviewed online at the following website address: www.dot.state.pa.us/penndot/aviation.nsf/beo-front-page?readform
Comments, questions, or suggestions regarding this notice may be directed in writing to Jocelyn I. Harper, Director, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, Telephone Number (717) 787-5891, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, P. O. Box 3251, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3251, ATTN: Jocelyn I. Harper, Director FAX: 717-772-4026
All comments should be postmarked no later than September 1, 2000 for consideration.
BRADLEY L. MALLORY,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 00-1224. Filed for public inspection July 14, 2000, 9:00 a.m.]
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