Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
It
is the policy of Johnson City Transit (a department of the City of Johnson
City) to afford Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, as defined in 49
CFR Part 26, as amended, the maximum opportunity to participate in the
performance of contracts financed in whole or in part with federal funds.
To see a copy of Johnson City Transit's overall DBE goal and methodology for the three fiscal-year period of FFY 2012-14 (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2014), click here.
What
is a DBE?
A
DBE is a for-profit small business that is at least 51 percent owned
and controlled by one or more individuals who are both socially and
economically disadvantaged, as defined in 49 CFR Part 26. For a link
to DBE regulations, 49 CFR Part 26, click
here. A copy of the DBE regulations is also available at the JCT Transit Center.
How
does a business become certified as a DBE?
JCT’s
DBE certification is administered by the Small Business Development
Program, Civil Rights Office, Tennessee Department of Transportation
(TDOT). To print a DBE application (with instructions),
click
here. You
may also pick up a copy of a DBE application at the JCT Transit Center.
Once a business is certified as a DBE, the Tennessee Unified Certified
Program allows multiple agencies to utilize the same certification statewide,
to simplify the application
process.
Completed
DBE applications should be mailed to:
Tennessee
Department of Transportation
Civil
Rights Office, Small Business Development Program
Suite
1800, James K. Polk Bldg.
505
Deaderick Street
Nashville,
TN 37243-0347
What
are the advantages of being certified as a DBE?
Certification
as a DBE provides greater exposure for contract opportunities.
Once certified, your business’s address is added to a state-wide
database which is compiled and maintained by TDOT. This list, the TDOT
Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Listing, is accessed
by other transit systems, as well as municipal and state agencies seeking
to do business with DBEs. Being certified as a DBE
enhances a business's exposure to the business community.
However, there is no requirement to be a certified DBE in order to do
business with Johnson City Transit. The current TDOT Certified Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise Listing may be viewed by clicking
here. A copy of the TNUCP Certified DBE Listing is also available at the JCT Transit Center.
Is
there any cost to become certified as a DBE?
No.
Business assistance from local resources which is available to current and prospective DBEs (including potential start-up businesses), including areas of technical, financial, and management information, is listed below (a website link for each resource (except SCORE) is provided):
City of Johnson City Business Relocation and New Business Start-up Guide: An informational guide for new businesses in Johnson City or businesses relocating to Johnson City
ETSU
Innovation Laboratory: The ETSU Innovation Laboratory
is an economic development initiative of East Tennessee State University,
partnered with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and the
ETSU Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. (423-439-8500)
Small
Business Administration:
Calendar of Training Events in
Tennessee
TDOT Civil Rights Office, Small Business Development Program: "DBE Fastrac" quarterly newsletter for DBEs and small businesses, including upcoming DBE seminars/workshops. The current issue may be viewed/printed by clicking here.
TN
Small Business Development Center at ETSU :
Informational guidance on
business start-up, including training workshops and business start-up/continuation
counseling.
Johnson City Chapter of SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives): 112 E. Myrtle Avenue, Suite 401, Johnson City, TN 37604 (Telephone: 423-461-8051) Hours are 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 noon, Monday - Friday.
DBE complaints:
To file a complaint alleging that Johnson City Transit has not complied with DBE regulations, click here to view/print the DBE complaint procedures.
Title
VI
Johnson City Transit is committed to providing non-discriminatory service. It
is the policy of Johnson City Transit, as a department of the City of Johnson City, 
and
a grant recipient of the Tennessee Department of Transportation and
the Federal Transit Administration, to ensure compliance with Title
VI of theCivil Rights Act of 1964; 49 CFR, Part 21; related statutesand
regulations to that end that no person shall be excluded from participation
in or be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination on the
grounds of race, color, sex, or nationalorigin, under any program or
activity receiving
financial assistancefrom the U.S. Department of Transportation.
It is the goal of Johnson City Transit (a department of the City of Johnson City) to reduce language barriers for persons with limited English proficiency (LEP), including the development and implementation of the Johnson City Transit Language Assistance Implementation Plan for LEP Persons, which also fulfills the requirements of Executive Order 13166, issued on August 11, 2000. Click here to view the Johnson City Transit Language Assistance Implementation Plan for LEP Persons.
To file a complaint alleging that Johnson City Transit has
not complied with Title VI regulations, click
here to view/print instructions
on filing a complaint, and click
here to view/print a complaint form. Complaint filing instructions and complaint forms are also available at the JCT Transit Center (137 W. Market St.) or the City's Human Resources office (601 E. Main St.). Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination, and should be submitted to: Kevin Bratton, Human Resources Department, City of Johnson City, 601 E. Main Street, Johnson City, TN 37601.
EEO
Johnson
City Transit (a department of the City of Johnson City) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliant employer dedicated
to a policy of non-discrimination in employment upon any basis, including
race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin,
genetic information, mental or physical disabilities, or veteran status. To view the Johnson City
Transit Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Active Policy Statement, click
here.
ADA
The
City of Johnson City complies with all applicable requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) 42 USC § 12101 e.t.
sec; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 USC
§ 794; and section 16 of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, 49
USC app § 1612.
Note:
Johnson City Transit is a department of the City of Johnson City.
The City of Johnson City is a drug-free workplace, and the City abides by the provisions of the Drug Free Workplace Act (49 CFR Part 29 Subpart F).
