(A) The Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (hereinafter referred to as “CRD” or “the Commuter Rail Division”) is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in the conduct of its business, including the procurement of goods and services. The Commuter Rail Division recognizes its responsibilities to the communities in which it operates and to the society it serves. It is in recognition of these responsibilities that the Commuter Rail Division establishes this Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) program/policy.
(B) It is CRD policy to provide for the maximum utilization of disadvantaged business enterprises and to use its best efforts to ensure that these firms shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in CRD’s procurement programs.
(C) While this program has been designated a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, it incorporates the requirements for businesses owned and controlled by minorities (“MBEs”), women (“WBEs”) and socially and economically disadvantaged persons (“DBEs”), as defined in 49 C.F.R. part26. Whatever references made to minority business enterprises (“MBEs”) in this program also includes disadvantaged business enterprises (“DBEs”); whatever references made to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBEs”) also includes minority business enterprises (“MBEs”).
(D) The responsibility for carrying out the CRD’s commitment to this program has been delegated to the CRD Acting Executive Director by the Board of Directors of the Commuter Rail Division. This office will rely upon the assistance of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Director and his or her staff in the day to day operations of this program. However, all Department and Division managers, Section Chiefs, Supervisors and employees share in the responsibility for making the Commuter Rail Division DBE program a success.
(E) An effective DBE program requires that CRD establish goals which will serve to eliminate the causes which could limit minority and female business participation. The goals which CRD establishes for the DBE program are:
(1) To ensure that disadvantaged and female firms have the maximum opportunity to participate in all CRD funded activities;
(2) To require that all CRD contractors make conscientious efforts, consistent with sound procurement practices and applicable law, to utilize minority and female business firms in their subcontracting or supplying processes; and
(3) To require that all CRD funded carriers comply to the maximum extent possible with CRD’s DBE program efforts in their conduct of business, including the procurement of goods and services.
(F) For the purpose of achieving these goals, the following set of specific DBE program objectives will be pursued by all CRD personnel who participate in CRD’s procurement process:
(1) Develop the necessary interdepartmental relationships and commitments within CRD and
between various agencies and organizations of county, municipal, state and federal governments, which will result in coordinated efforts toward meeting the established CRD goals;
(2) Identify Disadvantaged Business Enterprises with the capabilities of providing such goods and services (including construction) as the Commuter Rail Division and as sub-recipients may, from time to time, require;
(3) Provide maximum realistic opportunity for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises to compete in CRD’s procurement activities; and
(4) Periodically review the progress of CRD’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program to assess effectiveness and make any changes in the program’s activities necessary to achieve success.
(G) In order that the CRD Board of Directors be kept informed of progress towards DBE program goals, a written report concerning DBE program activities shall be delivered to the Board on a quarterly basis.
(H) Copies of this policy statement shall be circulated to all CRD managers, supervisors and employees as well as posted conspicuously in all offices where minority and female entrepreneurs may have occasion to visit.
(Ord. CRB 84-42, passed 9-14-1984)