Subject: LETTER AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF STATUS
TO CALIFORNIA UNIFIED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Adoption of a resolution approving the City of San Jose participation in a unified statewide DBE certification program and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement and declaration to participate as a certified member in the Unified Certification Program under federal DOT regulations.
BACKGROUND
As mandated by the United States Department of Transportation in 49 CFR Part 26 issued February 2, 1999 regarding participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in U.S. Department of Transportation Programs, all recipients of federal financial assistance must participate in a statewide unified certification program by March 4, 2002.
Since issuance of the Final Rule, the State of California/Department of Transportation Civil Rights Program staff has been leading a team effort among all governmental entities within California to develop and implement a California UCP.
The concept behind a unified certification program is “one-stop shopping” for all firms applying for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification; i.e., a potential DBE applicant need only apply once for DBE certification. All U.S. DOT recipients throughout the state will honor the DBE certification.
Each recipient of federal financial assistance shall choose to become either a “certifying” UCP member or a “non-certifying” UCP member. All recipients that elect to become certifying UCP members agree to maintain and continue with processes involved in a DBE certification program by collecting and maintaining certification application files, conducting site visits, making certification decisions and handling appeals and challenges. Certifying UCP members agree to utilize the California UCP-approved DBE Certification Application Form.
Because CalTrans has the largest DBE certification program in the State, they have agreed to serve as the California UCP DBE Database Manager for all DBE certifications made by certifying UCP members, including the electronic DBE database.
The annual UCP membership fee is $1,000. There will be no cost to DBE firms for DBE certification application processing.
Not applicable.
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the Manager’s Budget Office.
Fund: General Fund-001
Amount: $1,000
Budget Document: 2001-2002 Proposed Operating Budget, Equality Assurance, Non-Personal Appropriation
Nina S. Grayson
Director, Equality Assurance