Effective March 4, 1999, the DOT adopted a final rule implementing changes to 49 CFR, Part 26, which mandated new requirements for participation for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises ("DBEs") in DOT-assisted contracts, for Houston Airport System projects, and if applicable, Department of Public Works and Engineering projects. Substantial changes in federal regulations required enactment of Ordinance 99-893 to comply with the revised federal requirements for DOT-assisted contracts. The City is not eligible to receive DOT financial assistance unless it is in compliance with these federal regulations.
Changes in the Code of Federal Regulations, adopted in February 2010, required all recipients who receive more than $250,000 in federal funds to establish a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Plan and set triennial goals for all federally-assisted projects. City Council Motion 2013-0710 approved the City’s Federal Fiscal Years 2014 – 2016 DBE overall contract goal of 29%, with a 3.7% race neutral goal for George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
The Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), in cooperation with the Houston Airport System (HAS), has analyzed the relevant criteria required by federal authorities, and set an overall DBE goal of 29%, with a 2.5% race neutral goal for the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and an overall DBE goal of 26%, with a 2.5% race neutral goal for Ellington Field Airport for the 2017 - 2019 Federal Fiscal Years. The federal criteria and the proposed goals were presented to the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Council Committee on August 30, 2016.
OBO and HAS recommends adoption of the Motion for the referenced DBE goals in order to comply with federal requirements.
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Carlecia D. Wright, Director
Office of Business Opportunity