WeGo Public Transit is committed to utilizing disadvantage business enterprises (DBE)s and local small, minority and women-owned businesses (SMWBEs) in all of our contracting and organizational spends.
To that end, WeGo Business Diversity is committed to offering the best environment for companies to receive the top technical assistance and certification training, develop partnerships with prime contractors in their industries, and compete successfully for contracts and other opportunities.
Our Diversity and Inclusion program consists of administering the Federal Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) program when projects are funded with Federal Transit Authority (FTA) dollars, or an Aspirational Small, Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise (SMWBE) program for contracts and projects utilizing non-federal (local or state) funding sources.
Program Goals and Responsibilities
Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26, the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville MTA) has established an overall DBE participation goal for federally funded contracts is 14 percent for FFYs 2021-2023. The Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) has established an overall DBE participation goal of three percent for the same period for projects funded in whole or part with FTA funds. Business Diversity’s primary responsibilities are:
- To provide support by producing a level playing field for subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors to participate through strategic development, outreach, and utilization efforts
- To determine eligibility of potential vendors who may qualify as participants in the Diversity and Inclusion Program
- To assist new vendors with the registration and certification application process
- To monitor and enforce compliance on federally and locally funded contracts with diversity goals
Certification
Certification with WeGo Public Transit can help make you more competitive for contracts and business opportunities. The Business Diversity office is a certifying member of the Tennessee Uniform Certification Program (TNUCP) for the DBE program. Remember, you must be certified as a DBE in order to count your participation on contracts funded in whole or part with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)/ FTA funds.