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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - ARRA - Depa STATE OF CALWORNIA—BUSINESS.TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY ARNOLD SCHWA RZENEGGER.Governor j DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION C�; DIVISION OF LOCAL ASSISTANCE-M.S. I ,rp 1 120 N STREET I,G/r fi P. O.BOX 942574 SACRAMENTO,CA 94274-0001 t` ' Flex your power/ PHONE (916)653-1776 "" Be energi;efficient? FAX (916)654-2409 , 7TY 711 March 4, 2009 TO: All American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Fund Recipients On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This Act includes $2.57 billion for highway transportation projects in California. If you are a recipient of these funds, please read this letter carefully, as it provides further instructions on how to get ARRA funds approved and obligated. New DBE Requirement: All federally funded (including ARRA) project contracts (for consultant and/or construction) awarded after June 2, 2009 shall include the new Race Conscious (RC) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) provisions. Failure to meet this requirement will make the project INELIGIBLE for federal funds. Please refer to my letter dated March 4,2009 on this subject or our web site at: http://www.dot.ca.2ov/hq/LocalPrograms/index.htm for further instructions. The ARRA highway funds were apportioned to the states on March 2, 2009 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). A portion of the highway funds from ARRA received by the local agencies shall be obligated by FHWA within 120 days (before June 30,.2009) and the remainder shall be obligated within one year (before March 2, 2010) from the date the funds are apportioned to the states. Please allow sufficient time to process your Request for Authorization. We are waiting for California Transportation Commission (CTC) action and/or state legislation to clarify how much of the funds apportioned to the local agencies need to be obligated within the first 120 days. In order to get the ARRA funds obligated, your projects first need to be programmed in the Federal Transportation Improvement Program/Federal Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP/FSTIP). If your project is not yet programmed in the FTIP,please contact your Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) or Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) immediately. RTPAs and MPOs may contact Muhaned Aljabiry of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) at(916) 654-2983 if they have any questions. Priority for ARRA funding should be given to projects that can be completed within three (3) years. A Federal Authorization to Proceed (E7.6) is required prior to beginning any reimbursable work. Beginning work, including advertising the project for construction,prior to the receiving Authorization to Proceed may result in the project being ineligible for federal reimbursement. To initiate the federal funds approval process, please submit a Request for Federal Authorization (RFA) to Proceed to the Caltrans District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE) per instructions "Caltrans improves mobility across California" All American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Fund Recipients March 4, 2009 Page 2 below. The contact information for DLAEs is enclosed. Additional instructions and the required forms can be found in Chapter 3 ".Project Authorization" of the Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) atthe following web site: httr)://www.ciot.ca.�,ov/lici/LocalPr rams/lam/prop g/g'03fdhwy.pdf. To request Federal Authorization to Proceed with PE, please complete and submit the following documents to the DLAE: 1. RFA to Proceed with Preliminary Engineering (LAPM Exhibit 3-A) 2. RFA to Proceed Data Sheet(s) (LAPM Exhibit 3-E) 3. FTIP/FSTIP Sheet showing programmed funds 4. Finance Letter (LAPM Exhibit 3-0) 5. Field Review Form — first two pages (LAPM Exhibit 7-13) To request Federal Authorization to Proceed with R/W, please complete and submit the following documents to the DLAE: 1. RFA to Proceed with Right of Way (LAPM Exhibit 3-13) 2. RFA to Proceed Data Sheet(s) (LAPM Exhibit 3-E) 3. FTIP/FSTIP Sheet showing programmed funds 4. Finance Letter (LAPM Exhibit 3-O) 5. Field Review Form (LAPM Exhibit 7-13) 6. Approved NEPA Document If the project is programmed to receive funding for PE and R/W activities with ARRA funds, please be reminded of ARRA's stated goal of retaining and creating jobs, and the priority for funding projects that will be completed in three years. In addition, given the requirement that all ARRA funds need to be obligated within one year after funding apportionment by FHWA, there . may not be enough time for a project to proceed to construction within the funding time window to take full advantage of the ARRA funds, after receiving ARRA funding to complete PE or R/W activities. To request Federal Authorization to Proceed with Construction, please complete and submit the following documents to the DLAE: 1. RFA to Proceed with Construction (LAPM Exhibit 3-D) 2. RFA to Proceed Data Sheet(s) (LAPM Exhibit 3-E) - 3. FTIP/FSTIP Sheet showing programmed funds 4. Finance Letter (LAPM Exhibit 3-0) 5. Field Review Form (LAPM Exhibit 7-13) 6. Approved NEPA Document 7. R/W Certification (LAPM Exhibit 13-A or 13-13) "Caltrans improves mobility across California" All American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Fund Recipients March 4, 2009 Page 3 S. PS&E Certification (LAPM Exhibit 12-C) 9. PS&E Checklist (LAPM Exhibit 12-D) 10. Preliminary Estimate of Cost (LAPM Exhibit 12-A) 11. Local Agency Construction Contract Administration Checklist (LAPM Exhibit 15-A) Caltrans is also offering Local Assistance ARRA workshops throughout the state to assist the local agencies to meet these requirement-s. Please refer to my letter-dated February 24, 2009 (copy enclosed) regarding these workshops. If you would like to participate in these workshops, please contact your RTPA,MPO or the Caltrans District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE) immediately. The increased funding provided iby ARRA also requires unprecedented accountability and transparency for the expenditure.of these funds. Please note there will,be intensive reporting requirements for the projects funded by ARRA. We are currently working.with FHWA to identify the format and the timeline on which these reports need to be submitted. Further CTC action and/or state legislation may impose additional State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) requirements on some of the ARRA funded projects. We are closely monitoring any further developments in this.area. We will continue to post the frequently asked questions and answers in our web site at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/Lo calPro grams/Economi cRecoverv/index.htm. If you have any further questions, please contact your DLAE. Sincerely, DENIX D. ANBIAH, Chief Division of Local Assistance Enclosures February 24, 2009 Letter to RTPAs and MPOs DLAE Contact List "Caltrans improves mobility across California" STATE OF CALIFORNIA—BUSWESS TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER,Govemor DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF LOCAL ASSISTANCE—M.S. I 1 120 N STREET P.O.BOX 942874 SACRAMENTO,CA 94274-0001 Flex your power! PHONE (916)653-1776 Be energy efficient! FAX (916)654-2409 TTY 711 February 24,2009 METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGRANIZATIONS REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AGENCIES Re: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 President Barack Obama signed the American.Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) on February 17,2009. The,new Act, designed to stimulate the economy and create jobs, includes $27.5 B in stimulus funding nationwide for highway transportation projects. California's share of the recovery funds is estimated to be $2.57 billion. While it is great news for California to receive a significant investment for the State's transportation infrastructure system,ARRA contains provisions which present great challenges for the recipient agencies of the economic recovery funds. ARRA requires that a significant portion of the federal economic recovery funds allocated to California be obligated(Federal authorization to Proceed approved by FHWA) within 120 days of apportionment of the funds to California. Depending on when the apportionment of funds takes place, this deadline is expected to be around June 30,2009. The remaining funds are required to be obligated within one year from the apportionment of the funds. Caltrans Division of Transportation Programming has provided the MPOs with guidance on programming ARRA funds. You should already have initiated the process to amend target amounts of federal economic recovery funds into the Federal Transportation Improvement Program/Federal Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP/FSTIP). If not, please contact Muhaned Aljabiry in the Caltrans Division of Transportation Programming at (916) 654-2983 for assistance. In addition, you should have initiated the process to identify the ARRA funded local transportation projects to be programmed into the FTIP/FSTIP. When the list of projects is established, please forward a copy of the list, in the attached format,to your District Local Assistance Area Engineer (DLAE). As soon as we receive this list from you we will send specific instructions to the recipients of the ARRA funds. With your cooperation, Caltrans will then also schedule workshops throughout the state for the recipients of these funds. Both Caltrans District,Headquarters staff and all the support "Caltrans improves mobility across California" Metropolitan Planning Organizations Regional Transportation Planning Agencies February 24, 2009 Page 2 (Environmental,Right of Way, DBE,etc.) will be available to assist with the workshop. At the workshop we will assist the local agencies in completing requests for authorization and/or agree on an action plan that will lead up to the obligation of the ARRA funds. We anticipate a huge increase in workload for Caltrans Local Assistance. We expect these workshops will streamline the workload for both Caltrans as well as the local agencies. Any assistance you can provide (such as facility, coordination, support staff, etc.)to the DLAEs in arranging this workshop will be greatly appreciated. Please contact your Caltrans DLAE,if.you have any questions. Sincerel , DENIX ANBIAH Chief Division of Local Assistance Enclosure c: DLAEs MAljabiry "Caltrans improves mobility across California" 3/2/09 State of California Division of Local Assistance District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE) Contacts DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 7 District Director: Charles Fielder District Director: Doug Failing DLAE: Suzanne Theirs DLAE: Kirk Cessna 1656 Union Street 100 S.Main Street,#12-420 Eureka,CA 95501 Los Angeles,CA 90012 (P.O.Box 3700,95502-3770) (213)$97-0131 (707)445-6399 Fax: (213)897-2999 Fax: (707)441-2048 DISTRICT 8 DISTRICT 2 District Director: Raymond Wolfe District Director: John Bulinski DLAE: Patrick Hally DLAE: John Pedersen 464 West.Fourth Street,61h Floor—MS-760 1657 Riverside Drive San Bernardino,CA 92401-1400 Redding,CA 96001 (909)3834030 (P.O.Box 496073,96049-6073) Fax: (909)383-1419 (530)225-3484 Fax:(530)225-3020 DISTRICT 9 District Director: Tom Hallenbeck DISTRICT 3 DLAE: Ryan Dermody District Director: Jody Jones 500 South Main Street DLAE: Ben Bramer Bishop,CA 93514 703 B Street (760)872-0681 Marysville,CA 95901 Fax: (760)872-0744 (P.O.Box 911,95901) (530)741-5450 DISTRICT 10 Fax: (530)741-5466 Dist.Director: Tony Taveras(Acting) DISTRICT 4 DLAE: Sinaren Pheng 1976 East Charter Way/Dr.Martin District Director: Bijan Sartipi Luther King Jr.Boulevard DLAE: Sylvia Fung Stockton,.CA 95205 II I Grand Avenue (P.O.Box 2048,95201) Oakland,CA 94612 (209)948-3689 (P.O.Box 23660,94623-0660) Fax: (209)948-3820 (510)286-5226 Fax: (510)286-5229 DISTRICT 11 DISTRICT 5 District Director: Pedro Orso-Delgado District Director: Rich Krumholz DLAE: Erwin Gojuangco 4050 Taylor DLAE: Mike Giuliano Street 50 Higuera Street -Bldg. 1,3 Fl,MS 132 San Luis Obispo,CA 93401-5415 San Diego, (805)542-4606 (619)278-3756 CA 92110 Fax: (805)549-3746 Fax: (619).220-5432 DISTRICT 12 DISTRICT 6 District Director: Cindy Quon District Director: Malcolm Dougherty DLAE: Crisanto Tomongin(Acting) DLAE: Jim Perrault 3337 Michelson Drive,Suite 380 855 M Street,Suite 200 Irvine,CA 92612-8894 Fresno,CA 93721 (949)756-4938 (P.O. Box 12616,93778-2616) Fax: (949)756-2592 (559)445-5417 Fax: (559)445-5425 STATE OF CALIFORNIA—BUSINESS.'I'RANSPOItTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY ARNOLD SCHWAR7ENEGGER Govemo r DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF LOCAL ASSISTANCE-M.S. 1 = o 1 120 N STREET P. O. BOX 942874 SACRAMENTO,CA 94274-0001 Flex your power? PHONE (916)653-1776 Be energy ecien � FAX (916)654-2409 � efficient.! TTY 711 V March 4, 2009 TO: ALL CITIES AND COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AGENCIES Dear Directors: Re: Mandatory Race Conscious DBE Program The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved the California Department of Transportation's 2009 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Annual Overall Goal. FHWA's approval requires the immediate implementation of the new DBE Program that includes a Race Conscious component (RC DBE Program). Effective immediately the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and local agencies receiving federal-aid funds must begin transitioning to the new RC DBE Program. Transition Period Local agencies may have until June 2, 2009 to transition to the newly approved RC DBE Program. This allows local agencies until June 2, 2009, to adopt and execute the new RC DBE . Program and allows projects authorized to proceed under the old Race Neutral (RN)DBE program to proceed to contract award. As soon as possible but before Tune 2, 2009, local- agencies must adopt and execute a new California Department of Transportation DBE Program Implementation Agreement (DBE Implementation Agreement). Upon execution of the new DBE Implementation Agreement, local agencies shall proceed under the new RC DBE Program. Under the new RC DBE Program, local agencies must incorporate the new race conscious contract specifications into all federal-aid consultant and construction contracts. These specifications are incorporated in the new contract boilerplate language referenced below. Impacts to Federal-Aid Projects ® ALL CONTRACTS AWARDED AFTER June 2, 2009 SHALL INCLUDE RC DBE REQUIREMENTS (i.e. contract goals, good faith efforts). ® Any project that receives Authorization to Proceed under the old RN DBE requirements must award the contract by June 2, 2009. ® Any Authorization to Proceed received under the old RN DBE requirements that does not meet the June 2, 2009 contract award deadline, shall be re-evaluated. "Caltrans improves mobility across California" Cities & Counties in California MP Os RTPAs March 4, 2009 Page 2 Local agencies must resubmit their projects to Caltrans for approval to ensure compliance with the new RC DBE requirements prior to bid opening. Authorizations to Proceed will be withdrawn if projects do not comply with the new RC DBE requirements. ® Contracts awarded after June 2, 2009, without meeting the new RC DBE requirements will be ineligible for federal funding. s Local agencies' Requests for Authorization to Proceed for projects under the old RN DBE Program will continue to be received and processed subject to the preceding conditions. ® In submitting Requests for Authorization to Proceed for projects under the old RN DBE Program, the project sponsors need to be mindful of the minimum advertising period of three weeks, and the time it takes for bid opening and contract approval by their governing bodies. ® Requests for Authorization to Proceed with the new RC DBE requirements may be submitted for processing and have funds obligated/authorized before the District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE) receives the new DBE Implementation Agreements; however, projects shall not be awarded prior to the approval of the new DBE Implementation Agreement by the DLAE. ® Existing federal-aid project contracts awarded with race neutral requirements shall continue under the old RN DBE Program. Contract Goals Limited to Underutilized Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (UDBEs) Contract goals and the Good Faith Effort requirement are reinstated; however, they are limited to Underutilized DBEs (UDBEs). The findings from the Caltrans Availability and Disparity Study revealed statistically significant underutilization in four of the six groups presumed to be disadvantaged as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR Part 26. The four groups are African American, Asian Pacific American, Native American and Women. Contract goals will be limited to these four groups of UDBEs. Use of the UDBEs above the contract goal and/or use of DBEs owned and controlled by Hispanic Males or Subcontinent Asian Males shall be reported and counted toward the Race Neutral portion of the local agencies' overall Anticipated Annual DBE Percentage Levels (AADPLs). Old RN and New RC DBE Norms, Boilerplate Specifications For contracts that will be advertised and awarded under the old RN DBE Program, the appropriate DBE forms will be available on the Local Assistance Website: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms%DBE CRLC.html You may download the new DBE Implementation Agreement and consultant and construction contract boilerplate language from the Local Assistance website at: http://www.dot.ca. og v/hq/LocalProglams/ "Caltrans improves mobility across California" Cities & Counties in California MPOs RTPAs March 4, 2009 Page 3 For specific guidance on federal-aid consultant and construction contracts and access to the new DBE forms, please refer to the enclosures addressing consultant contracts and construction contracts. Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) The Division of Local Assistance will be issuing the changes to the LAPM. Until the LAPM changes are issued, the updated forms, guidance, and Frequently Asked Questions are available on the Caltrans, Division of Local Assistance (DLA) website: http://www.dot.ca. og v/hq/LocalPrograins/ Annual Anticipated DBE PercentaVte Levels (AADPL) Local agencies are not required to resubmit previously approved 2008/2009 AADPLs to include segregated Race Conscious (RC) and Race Neutral (RN) components; however, contract goals shall be calculated and placed on all contracts after the local agency has executed the new DBE Implementation Agreement. The 2009/2010 AADPLs shall report segregated RC and RN anticipated percentage level components. Guidance for AADPL calculation under the new RC DBE Program is available at the Caltrans DLA website under"Announcements." If you have questions, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions posted on the Caltrans, DLA website: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/before contacting your DLAE. Sincere DENIX D. ANBIAH, Chief Division of Local Assistance Enclosures c: Local Agency DBE Liaison Officers "Cabrans improves mobility across California" Division of Local Assistance Enclosure 1 0 Office of Procedures Development and Training March 4, 2009 Enclosure I Consultant Contracts: Contracts awarded prior to June 2, 2009, whose authorizations were granted prior to the adoption of the Race Conscious DBE Implementation Agreement may follow the Race Neutral DBE Program. All contracts awarded after June 2, 2009 must follow the Race Conscious DBE Program and use the following new Race Conscious LAPM Exhibits currently located on the Caltrans Local Assistance website under "Announcements." ® Exhibits 3-A, 3-13, or 3-C: Request to Proceed with Preliminary Engineering, Right-of-Way, or Utility Relocation ® Exhibit 3-E: Request for Authorization to Proceed Data Sheet(s) ® Exhibit 10-C: Consultant Agreement Reviewers Checklist ® Exhibit 10-D: Consultant Agreement Outline ® Exhibit 10-I: Notice to Bidders/Proposers DBE Requirements and. Instructions ® Exhibit 10-J: Standard Agreement for Subcontractor/DBE Participation ® Exhibit 10-0(1): Local Agency Bidder/Proposer UDBE Commitment (Consultant Contracts) ® Exhibit 10-0(2): Local Agency Bidder/Proposer DBE Commitment (Consultant Contract) ® Exhibit 17-F: Final Report Utilization of DBE, First-Tier Subcontractors page 1 of i Filename: 03-03-2009 hr Enclosure l.doc Prepared by:[PCarroll] Division of Local Assistance Enclosure 2 a Office of Procedures Development and Training IMareh 4, 2009 t` 1 Enclosure 2 Construction Contracts: Contracts to be advertised and awarded before the execution of the new DBE Implementation Agreement and before June 2, 2009, may proceed to advertise and award using Race Neutral boilerplate specifications and Race Neutral LAPM Exhibits 12-D, 15-A, 15-13, 15-G. 15-I, 15-L and 17-F. All other contracts shall use the new Race Conscious boilerplate specifications and the following new Race Conscious LAPM Exhibits currently located on the Caltrans Local Assistance website under "Announcements:" ® Exhibit 3-D: Request for Authorization to Proceed with Construction ® Exhibit 3-E: Request for Authorization to Proceed Data Sheet(s) ® Exhibit 12-1): PS&E Checklist ® Exhibit 15-A: Local Agency Construction Contract Administration Checklist • Exhibit 15-13: Resident Engineer's Construction Contract Administration Checklist ® Exhibit 15-G(1): Local Agency Bidder/Proposer UDBE Commitment (Construction Contracts) ® Exhibit 15-G(2): Local Agency Bidder/Proposer DBE Commitment (Construction Contracts) ® Exhibit 15-H: Good Faith Efforts Submittal ® Exhibit 15-I: Local Agency Bid Opening Checklist ® Exhibit 15-L: Local Agency Contract Award Checklist ® Exhibit 17-F: Final Report Utilization of DBE, First-Tier Subcontractors Page I of I Filename: 03-03-2009 Itr Enclosure 2.doc Prepared by:[PCairoll] Lnelosut-e 3 • STATE OF CALIFORNIA—BUSINESS.TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER Govemor DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR'S OFFICE 1120 N STREET P.O.BOX 942873 SACRAMENTO.CA 94273-0001 Flex your power; PHONE (916)654-5266 Be energy efficient! FAX (916)654-6608 TTY 711 March 4, 2009 Dear Transportation Construction Community: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has just received conditional approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to immediately implement its Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2009 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal and Methodology. The 2009 Goal and Methodology provides for a 6.75 percent race-conscious goal and a 6.75 percent race-neutral goal for an overall 13.5 percent program goal. With the recent enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and the increase in transportation contracting opportunities it will bring, the urgency for Caltrans to implement contract goals has heightened. The conditional approval requires Caltrans to submit to FHWA the additional requested information to support its decision to make-no-upward adjustment to the FFY 2009 goal. The conditional approval also requires Caltrans to submit monthly status reports on its use of contract goals beginning March 31, 2009. FHWA has indicated that failure to implement the overall goal and contract goals could result in the imposition of sanctions authorized by 23 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) section 1.36. Those sanctions may include withholding federal funds, withholding approval of projects, or other action FHWA deems appropriate under the circumstances. By March 30, 2009, the Division of Engineering Services and the Division of Procurement and Contracts will begin including an appropriate DBE race-conscious goal to include African American, Asian-Pacific American, Women, and Native American businesses, in the advertised contracts for federally funded projects. These four groups together will be referred to as Underutilized Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (UDBEs). The race-conscious goal established for each contract will be based on the subcontracting opportunities it provides and the availability of UDBEs. At this time, Hispanic American and Subcontinent Asian American businesses are not included in the race-conscious portion of the program. However, use of these businesses does count toward meeting the race-neutral portion of the goal and the overall goal. I encourage continued use of these groups at current levels in order to avoid the necessity of adjusting the goals as time goes on. Implementation of the race-conscious component of the DBE program applies to Local Agencies as subrecipients. Caltrans will advise regional and local partners to begin implementing DBE race-conscious goals on federally funded projects within 90 days. "Caltrans improves mobiliD across California" Transportation Construction Community March 4, 2009 Page 2 Caltrans will continue its commitment to the application of race-neutral measures as before. They include, but are not limited to, providing technical assistance, one-on-one counseling, training, and direct referral of DBEs to prime contractors through the California Construction Contracting Program and the memorandum of understanding with the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. More information can be found on the Web site at http://www.buildcalifornia.orc, Caltrans will also implement its Communication Plan to advise the DBE firms, community organizations, industry/trade associations, and California Legislators that Caltrans has conditional approval to implement the race-conscious component of the overall DBE goal. To broaden business communication and outreach, the Caltrans' Office of Business and Economic Opportunity will have information and the schedule of public forums on its Web site at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/bep. In addition, Caltrans staff will work with business groups such as the City-County-State-Federal Cooperative Committee, Caltrans Statewide Small Business Council, Associated General. Contractors of California, Engineering and Utility Contractors Associations, Southern California Contractors Association, and American Council of Engineering Companies on the implementation of their program revision. I thank you for your patience and understanding during the last year while Caltrans operated under race-neutral measures. If you have any questions regarding this announced change in the DBE program, please contact Robert Padilla, Disparity Study Project Manager, at (916) 324-0552, or by e-mail at robert_padilla@dot.ca.gov. Sincerely, 4 kvvl WILL KEMPTON Director c: Walter Waidelich, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration Rick Land, Chief Engineer, California Department of Transportation Robert Padilla, Disparity Study Project Manager, California Department of Transportation Caltrans improves mobility across California"