In The News
DOT earns “A” for 7th consecutive year from U.S. Small Business Administration
WASHINGTON – Despite regulations that small business truckers might say are running them out of business, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) says it earned an "A+" rating on the federal government's annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard released yesterday by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
"The Department is one of three agencies to receive the highest grade for meeting its small business federal contracting goals in FY2015," a DOT news release stated, adding that "for the past seven years, DOT has received an 'A' or higher rating for continued commitment to America's small businesses."
"This scorecard makes it clear, in category after category: When the USDOT is asked to meet a goal for working with small businesses, we not only reach it, we exceed it," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "These seven years of 'A' ratings reflect how seriously we take our commitment to small businesses, to promoting jobs, and to increasing access to opportunity for millions of Americans. The message to local businesses across the country is to join us, because we want to work with you."
The SBA's annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard measures how well federal agencies reach their small business and socio-economic prime contracting and subcontracting goals. The goals measured include targets for small businesses, women-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and small businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones), according to the news release.
As part of the Obama Administration's efforts to strengthen the economy and promote job creation, DOT has awarded more than $14.1 billion in contracts to small businesses since FY2009.
- Small Disadvantaged Businesses - $5.2 billion
- Women-Owned Small Businesses - $1.3 billion
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses - $349.9 million
- HUBZone Small Businesses - $892.9 million
In FY2015, DOT exceeded an overall goal of 44 percent small business contracting participation by awarding 50.94 percent - or $793.3 million - to small businesses. DOT awarded 22.76 percent of contracts to small disadvantaged businesses, more than quadrupling the 5 percent goal; and awarded 9.11 percent of contracts to women-owned small business, nearly doubling the 5 percent goal. In addition, DOT reached the 3 percent goal for contract contracting with service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses at 3.6 percent; and exceeded the contracting goal for HUBZone small businesses at 10.73 percent, more than triple the 3 percent goal.
DOT's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and Office of Procurement work to expand opportunities for small businesses to compete for and win federal contracts.
"We pride ourselves in helping a diverse base of small businesses grow and develop, including supporting women, disabled veterans, and disadvantaged owners," said OSDBU Director Brandon Neal.
Under the leadership of Secretary Foxx, DOT has made small and disadvantaged businesses a priority. The Department's Bonding Education Program has helped 1,153 businesses achieve bonding capacity - 426 of which since July 2013. DOT's Small Business Transportation Research Centers have helped over 4,200 companies with procurement, technical, and financial assistance. In addition, DOT has strengthened the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and increased enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
For more information about DOT's OSBDU, visit www.transportation.gov/osdbu.
The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at [email protected].