Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Petersburg Area Transit seeks 5% DBE goal, plans to submit updated FTA program
Summary
Petersburg Area Transit presented an updated Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program with a 5% goal tied to upcoming maintenance‑facility design and construction; council received the presentation and asked clarifying questions about DBE definitions and subcontractor paperwork.
Queenie Byrd, presenting for Petersburg Area Transit, told the council on May 6 that Petersburg Area Transit (PAT) updated its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program as required by the Federal Transit Administration and proposed a 5% DBE goal that would apply to upcoming projects, including the design and construction of a new PAT maintenance facility.
Byrd explained that DBE status applies to for‑profit firms that are at least 51% owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. She said the city, as a direct recipient of federal transit funds, must update its program every three years; PAT’s program last was updated in 2022. The program uses both race‑neutral and race‑conscious strategies; the proposed 5% goal would be implemented with race‑conscious measures where appropriate, such as contract goals requiring a percentage of DBE participation. Byrd said the program and goal would be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration for approval and posted on the city website.
Councilor Jones asked for a plain‑language explanation of a DBE; Byrd illustrated with a hypothetical: a large incumbent contractor can underbid a smaller firm because of economies of scale, and the DBE goal attempts to ensure small disadvantaged firms receive subcontracting opportunities, although she noted administrative paperwork (timesheets, hours reporting) is required for DBE tracking and FTA compliance.
The council did not take a formal vote at the work session; Byrd said PAT requested council approval to submit the program to the FTA so it can be posted publicly and used in upcoming procurements.
Ending
PAT will proceed with submission to the FTA and publishing the program on the city website if council formally approves the program in its next steps; no formal council vote occurred during the May 6 work session.
