CIVIL RIGHTS

Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits discrimination based upon race, color, and national origin. Specifically, 42 USC 2000d states that “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” The use of the word “person” is important as the protections afforded under Title VI apply to anyone, regardless of whether the individual is lawfully present in the United States or a citizen of a State within the United States.

 

Updated-7/24/2024

In addition to Title VI, there are other Nondiscrimination statutes that afford legal protection. These statutes include the following: Section 162 (a) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 (23 USC 324) (sex), Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (age), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973/Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (disability).

DBE

Notice to All DBE/ACDBE Firms:
Effective October 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that immediately changes how the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE) Programs operate nationwide
 
What This Means:
  • All DBE/ACDBE certifications will be reevaluated under new federal eligibility standards.
  • Until reevaluations are complete, existing DBE/ACDBE certifications cannot be counted toward goals.
  • Our Agency and all sub-recipients have paused goal setting and awards that include DBE/ACDBE goals.
Next Steps for DBE/ACDBE Firms:
  • Please do not submit new certification applications, or change requests on existing certifications until further notice.
The DPW Certification Department is working closely with the U.S. DOT and state partners to establish a clear process for these changes.

 

 

DBE Program

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is intended to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of the Department of Transportation (DOT)-assisted contracts in the department’s highway, and transit programs. One of the goals of the program is to provide opportunities for local DBE’s who compete for DOT-assisted contracts by reducing the burdens small businesses often time face.

DBE Forms

Ferry Vessel Construction Project

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance