Resources will Help Small Businesses Compete for Federal Highway ContractsAUSTIN - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) received $500,000 from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) compete for federal highway contracts. On August 26, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood doled out a total of $11.6 million to 30 states including Puerto Rico.
"Giving these small businesses the assistance they need to compete for federal highway contracts creates jobs and ultimately helps taxpayers by reducing project costs," Secretary LaHood said. “Any way you look at them, these grants are a ‘win-win’ for the American people.”
The funding from the Federal Highway Administration's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Supportive Services (DBE/SS) program provide federal aid to DBE firms to improve their ability to compete for and fulfill federal highway contracts.
Tamela Saldana, TxDOT DBE Supportive Services Program Director, stated that FHWA requires state DOT’s to submit a work statement and budget request every two years that outlines programs and services for the funding requests.
“These funds will provide a great source of financial support for several TxDOT-operated Supportive Services programs,” Saldana said. “Some of these programs that meet the federal regulation requirements include the Technical Assistance Program, Texas Business Opportunity and Development Program, Learning Information Network and Collaboration Program, as well as numerous other technical and training programs.”
For more information regarding these programs, go to
txdot.gov or call the Business Opportunity Program office at (512)374-5419.
