DBE / SBE / WBE / MBE Programs
Connecting Certified Businesses to Opportunity
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
NOTICE: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - DBE GOAL FOR FFYs 2024-2026
Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) has established an overall DBE participation goal of 24.4% for FFYs 2024-2026.
The proposed goal and its rationale are available for inspection Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at KCATA’s Office of Equity and Engagement, 1200 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108. Comments and inquiries will be accepted from the public for 45 days following the date of this notice and may be directed to KCATA, at the above address or to the Federal Transit Administration Region VII, Byron Rogers Federal Building, Civil Rights Office, 1961 Stout Street, Suite 13-301, Denver, CO 80294.
Online KCATA DBE/SBE Certification Process
On July 26, 2019, our certification application process became available online.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) Diversity Management System is designed to empower vendors to manage their own vendor record including DBE/SBE certification, maintain accurate contact information, vendor registration, and submit contract payment details online. The system is accessible to all firms doing business with KCATA. Other key features include:
- Electronic DBE/SBE Certification Application process including New Applications and Renewal Applications;
- Tracking of vendor certification applications from submission to completion;
- Automated communication with contractors via email regarding compliance issues;
- Prime submission of subcontractor utilization reports with automated tracking of contract goals and participation;
- Enhanced online certified directory with keyword search capabilities;
- Elimination of paper-based reporting.
- If the application is properly completed and all supporting documents have been submitted, the processing time may be completed within 45-90 days. Applications are processed by date of receipt on a first-in, first-out basis.
Paper applications will not be accepted after December 31, 2019.
How to access and complete an application
Instructions on how to access and complete an application can be found in the B2GNow Online Application User Manual.
To be certified as a bona fide Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) your firm must meet the criteria established by the Department of Transportation under 49 CFR Part 26 established March 1, 1999. Key considerations include, but are not limited to:
- The majority stockholder (firm’s principle) must be considered socially and economically disadvantaged according to DOT guidelines. This includes recognized minority groups and females.
- The disadvantaged owner must have a documented personal net worth that does not exceed $1.32 million, which excludes equity in the firm.
- The firm’s annual receipts (based on a three-year average) cannot exceed the Small Business Administration’s size standards based on the firm’s primary function and NAICS codes.
- Further information on these regulations and the certification requirements can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise/obtaining-certification.
Note: If your firm has a current Letter of Certificate of Compliance issued by another governmental agency that has reviewed and certified your firm as a DBE in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26, you may submit it as part of the certification process with KCATA. Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26.81, the KCATA participates in Missouri's Unified Certification Program through the Missouri Regional Certification Committee (MRCC). A firm that is certified through a partner agency will also be considered "certified" through the MRCC. Certified firms will be included in the MRCC DBE Directory, which is available to interested parties. You may access the MRCC DBE Directory at the Missouri Department of Transportation website.
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Applicants need only apply once for DBE certification that will be honored by all recipients in the state. Reciprocity with other Missouri Regional Council (MRCC) members includes Missouri Department of Transportation, City of Kansas City, Mo, Bi-State Development, and Lambert St. Louis Airport Authority.
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DBE Certification enables qualified vendors to bid not only on KCATA projects, but the opportunity to bid statewide for all DOT transportation modes, including Aviation, Highways, and Public Transportation
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DBE Certification also provides your company with numerous other benefits such as contract information, referrals, technical assistance, and referrals to prime contractors
KCATA Vendor Registration Process
All firms (prime contractors, subcontractors and suppliers) doing business with KCATA must complete a vendor registration process. KCATA uses an online vendor management system (B2GNow). Vendors that have previously registered with KCATA must now also complete the online process with updated information.
To begin, you must set up an account at KCATA.diversitycompliance.com where you will be given a temporary password. You will receive a confirmation email and be directed to change your password. You may follow the instruction guide to complete the process, and B2GNow also conducts webinars that provide guided training on the features.
Forms
The following forms are required and must be provided at the time of registration. Failure to provide these forms will delay the approval process.
Civil Rights Affidavit Workforce Analysis EEO Affidavit Regarding Compliance With Employee Eligibility Verification Prime Contractor KCATA Affidavit Regarding Compliance With Employee Eligibility Verification Lower Tier
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program
To facilitate competition by small businesses on projects funded in part by the Department of Transportation (DOT), KCATA has implemented a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Development Program as mandated in 49 CFR Part 26.39. This program fosters small business growth and competitive bidding on USDOT funded projects. The program operates in a race and gender neutral manner and is designed to include all segments of the business community. In order to be eligible as a Small Business Enterprise, firms must: 1) fall within the Small Business Administration’s size guidelines; and 2) the Owner’s Personal Net Worth (PNW) cannot exceed the cap determined by USDOT (as amended) which is currently $1.32 million. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) are small businesses and are automatically included in the SBE program.
In order to participate in the SBE program, firms must complete the “Small Business Enterprise Declaration of Certification Affidavit.” Firms that have the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Certification, as described in 13 CFR Parts 121 and 124, may submit a copy of its certificate. Firms that are not certified as 8(a) firms by the SBA must submit: 1) a copy of business tax returns for the most recent three-year period indicating the gross receipts; or if the SBA uses the number of employees to determine small business eligibility, a copy of the firm’s payroll statement indicating the average annual employment for the most recent year. Firm owners must also complete a Personal Net Worth Statement.
Minority and Women Business Enterprises
Expanding Opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
It is the policy of KCATA that minority and/or women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) have fair and equitable opportunity to participate in KCATA locally based procurements. To implement this policy, KCATA is continually seeking M/WBE firms. As of January 22, 2020, KCATA has implemented a locally based DBE program establishing M/WBE subcontracting goals for non-FTA funded projects. KCATA has established an overall MBE goal for non-FTA funded projects and a WBE goal for non-FTA funded projects.
It is also KCATA’s policy:
- To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of non-FTA funded contracts;
- To create a level playing field on which MBEs and WBEs can compete fairly for non-FTA funded contracts;
- To ensure that the MBE/WBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
- To ensure that only firms that fully meet MBE/WBE eligibility standards are permitted to participate as MBEs and WBEs;
- To help remove barriers to the participation of MBEs and WBEs in non-FTA funded contracts; and
- To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside of the MBE/WBE Program.
MBE / WBE Online Certification Process
Two Methods
Standard Certification
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Application Review
KCATA will review your application and supporting documents for completeness and accuracy. If additional information or documentation is needed, our office will contact you.
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Onsite Review Visit
If your application is complete, KCATA will schedule an onsite review visit for Missouri-based firms. Out-of-state firms must pursue MBE/WBE certification through an approved agency in their home state.
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Eligibility Determination
After all required information has been collected, KCATA will conduct a full review of the application to determine the firm’s eligibility for certification.
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Final Decision & Certification
Applicants will receive written notification of KCATA’s decision. Approved firms will receive a certification letter and certificate valid for three years. KCATA may request annual update forms and supporting documentation during the certification period.
Note: If certification is denied, KCATA will provide a written explanation outlining the reasons for denial and the supporting evidence. Firms denied certification must wait one year before reapplying. Supporting documents related to the decision are available upon request.
Streamlined Certification
(Please allow at least 30-60 days once staff has received all required documents)
This process applies only to applicants whose principal place of business is in Missouri or Kansas and have been certified as an MBE/WBE by one of the following approved certifying entities:
Bi-State Development/METRO DBE Program
City of St. Louis M/WBE Program
Kansas City, Mo – Human Relations Department M/WBE Program
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) DBE Program
Lambert St. Louis Airport DBE Program
Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council MBE Program
Missouri Department of Transportation DBE Program
Missouri Office of Equal Opportunity M/WBE Program
Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council MBE Program
National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) WBE Program
St. Louis Minority Business Council MBE Program
Kansas Department of Commerce MBE/WBE Program
Applicants must still meet the regulations of KCATA’s MBE/WBE program. Certification by one of the programs listed above does not guarantee acceptance by KCATA. If the applicant is approved for certification, the certificate will be valid for three years.
An applicant must complete the MBE/WBE Certification Application and submit the required documentation including a copy of the applicant’s current certificate that has at least 90 days before its expiration date. A notarized affidavit signed by the applicant should be uploaded to KCATA Diversity Compliance System with the required documents to complete the application process. The applicant is required to retain the original documents for their records.
If approved, the certification will last for three years. KCATA reserves the right to require an Annual Update Form along with supporting documentation during the three-year certification for any reason.
MBE / WBE Procurement Policy
KCATA will not tolerate false, fraudulent, or dishonest conduct in connection with the program(s). In the event a firm is determined non-compliant with the MBE/WBE regulations during a procurement, it may be subject to remedies including withholding of further payments from KCATA and/or termination of the contract.
Requests for Proposals/Bids issued by KCATA include notification to all proposing contractors that MBEs/WBEs will be given the full opportunity to submit proposals as prime contractors or subcontractors and that KCATA will not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or disability in consideration for an award. The instructions to proposed contractors state that all proposing contractors must be in compliance with the requirements with regard to the participation of MBEs/WBEs.
KCATA will verify that the work committed to MBEs/WBEs at contract award is actually performed by the MBEs/WBEs performing a commercially useful function. KCATA will monitor MBE/WBE attainments (e.g., payments actually made to MBE/WBE firms) and ensure that MBE/WBE participation is credited toward overall or contract goals only when payments are actually made to MBE/WBE firms.
KCATA requires its prime contractors to make Good-Faith-Efforts to replace an MBE/WBE subcontractor that is unable to perform successfully with another MBE/WBE. KCATA must be notified in advance and approve all substitutions of subcontractors, in order to ensure that the substitute firms are certified MBEs/WBEs.
KCATA shall advise each sub-recipient, contractor, or subcontractor that failure to carry out the requirements set forth in the required contract provisions shall constitute a breach of contract and may result in termination of the agreement or contract by KCATA or such remedy as KCATA deems appropriate.
KCATA will maintain records and reports which are necessary to monitor compliance with the program. KCATA utilizes the B2Gnow software to track purchases and disbursements for active contracts. This information is used to prepare MBE/WBE reporting information.