Public Notice DBE Program

In accordance with 49 CFR Part 26, the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority (SMAA) maintains a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (Program) designed to equitably distribute the federal assistance it receives for construction and design contracts at SRQ. The program attempts to identify the portion of the total available contractor population that is made up of minority and women-owned businesses that have been certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) under the rules established by the US Department of Transportation. The program then attempts to ensure that DBEs receive a portion of SMAA’s federal assistance that is representative of their relative proportion of the available contractor base.

Under SMAA’s Program and in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26, an “Overall Goal” for DBE participation in the federal assistance to be received by SMAA is established every three years. The goal pertains to the ensuing three-year period and is based on contracting activity projected to occur at SRQ during that period. The goal is then monitored by SMAA and adjusted for material changes in the contractor marketplace or in contracting activity at SRQ. While DBE participation on individual contracts may vary widely during the period, the Overall Goal is intended to represent the dollar-weighted average participation over the full three-year period.

SMAA recently proposed an Overall Goal for DBE participation for the period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026. The proposed Overall Goal for this period is 5.5% and is based primarily on an analysis of the relative availability of DBE firms to perform the work that is anticipated to be funded with federal assistance during the period. The proposed goal is subject to review by the Office of Civil Rights within the Federal Aviation Administration, an operating mode of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The proposed goal and its attendant methodology are available for inspection between 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Terminal Buildiing, 3rd Floor 6000 Airport Circle, Sarasota, FL 34243, for 30 days from the date of this publication. Interested parties are invited to comment on SMAA’s proposed goal for DBE participation for the fiscal years 2024 through 2026. Comments may be made to:

Donald Farr
Director, Internal Audit, Risk Management & Civil Rights Compliance Officer
Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority
6000 Airport Circle
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-359-2770 Ext. 4233
[email protected]

OR

Ofelia Medina
DBE Compliance Specialist
FAA Western-Pacific Regional Office
Office of Civil Rights
777 S. Aviation Blvd., Suite #150
El Segundo, CA 90245
424-405-7205
[email protected]