On September 24, 2014, Caltrans Division of Local Assistance (DLA) issued Office Bulletin (OB) #14-06 “Review of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Contract Goals and Good Faith Efforts (GFE) – Pilot Study.” The Pilot Study required Caltrans to review and approve all contract goals on construction contract estimates over $2 million and consultant contract estimates over $500,000. If the aforementioned contracts are awarded on the basis of a GFE, Caltrans will review and provide feedback to the local agency on the bidder/proposer’s GFE prior to awarding the contract.
OB 19-03 DBE Goal and GFE implements Exhibit 9-D: DBE Contract Goal Methodology, setting contract goals and incorporates OB #14-06 by:
- Incorporating OB 14-06 pilot program as a permanent process
- Updating Section 9.7 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation on the Contract and Section 9.8 Good Faith Efforts (GFE) of the Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM)
- Providing simplified responsibilities for all stakeholders
The Office Bulletin (OB) #19-03 “DBE Goal and GFE” is posted here: https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/local-assistance/documents/ob/2019/ob19-03.pdf.