Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Opportunities

SEPTA is committed to providing contracting opportunities for small, minority and women-owned businesses (DBEs) on the Market Street Elevated (MSE) Reconstruction Project. To fulfill this commitment, SEPTA initiated an aggressive Affirmative Action Program with the assistance of an Affirmative Action consultant to monitor and help increase DBE participation throughout the duration of the Project. 

DBE Commitment

The MSE Reconstruction Project is separated into seven major construction packages. The packages include the Automatic Train Control Buildings, Foundations and Ductbank, Cobbs Creek, Guideway, Stations and Cobbs Creek Intermediate Foundations and Utility, and Cobbs Creek Completion contracts. An overall DBE goal was not established for the Project; however, goals were established on a contract-by-contract basis.  The goals are specific to each package based on the scope of work (General, Mechanical and Electrical construction), and the availability of DBEs to provide supplies and perform portions of the work.

DBE Participation

As of June 2008, Fifty-seven (57) certified DBE contractors and fifteen (15) DBE professional service consultants are designated to participate on the project $100,449,058 have been committed to DBE subcontractors/consultants $83,416,011 have been paid to DBE subcontractors/consultants

Overall DBE Goal Achievement

 

Future Contracting Opportunities

Additional contracting opportunities may be available through the primes and subcontractors as construction progresses.  Firms designated to participate and fulfill the contract goals must be certified DBEs.  In order for a prime contractor to receive credit for contracting with a small disadvantaged business, the firm must successfully complete DBE certification through the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PAUCP). SEPTA is one of five certifying participants in the PAUCP.  Additional information regarding DBE certification can be found on the PAUCP website at www.paucp.com or by contacting SEPTA’s DBE Program Office at 215-580-3710.

Technical Assistance

In January 2004, SEPTA selected Milligan and Company, LLC (Milligan) as the Affirmative Action Consultant for the MSE Reconstruction Project.  Working closely with SEPTA’s DBE Program Office, Milligan provides the following services to DBEs on the Project:

 

• Serve as liaison between DBEs and prime contractors to develop working relationships and rendering assistance in locating DBEs for subcontract work;
• Provide technical assistance and procedural guidance to DBEs in completing SEPTA’s certification process;

• Provide management services to DBE firms in the areas of marketing, business planning, financial planning, bonding, insurance and access to lending institutions; and

• Conduct site monitoring at the construction site to document DBE participation as indicated in subcontracts.

For more information on technical assistance, contact Milligan and Company, LLC at 215-496-9100, ext. 138.

 

For information about the MSE Affirmative Action Program, contact:

 

Lillie Claitt

MSE AAP Project Manager

SEPTA Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization Department

215-580-3710