Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
The Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights is responsible for monitoring FTA recipients’ DBE programs and ensuring their compliance with DOT’s DBE regulations. The Richland County Transit Board (RCTB) is responsible for administering the federally mandated Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. The DBE Program seeks to endure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department’s transit financial assistance programs and to create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts.
Proposed DBE Program Goal
Richland County Transit is accepting comments for RCT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) goal.
RCT has tentatively established a goal of .2% of the federal financial assistance received during the period of federal fiscal years 2025 through 2027 to be spent on expenditures to companies that have been certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). RCT expects to expend approximately $1,600,000, in prime contracts (purchases) using federal funds during each of these years. When possible, RCTB also utilizes DBE contractors for state or locally funded projects.
The contracts will include the purchase of fuel; parts and supplies; contract services for transit management, planning, and maintenance of vehicles, buildings, and grounds; insurance; and other daily operational contracting opportunities.
We encourage certified DBEs to contact the RCT Assistant General Manager, Tara Burchett, at 419-522-4504 to be considered for these contracting opportunities.
For questions or comments regarding this goal, please contact the RCT Fiscal Officer, Jean Taddie, at 419-774-6396, or by email to jtaddie@rcrpc.org.
For more information about the DBE program or becoming certified as a DBE, see https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odot/programs/business-economic-opportunity/dbe.
DBE Policy Statement
Richland County Transit (RCT) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. RCT has received federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation, and, as a condition of receiving this assistance, the RCT has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.
It is the policy of RCT to ensure that DBEs, as defined in part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. It is also our policy to:
- Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-transit assisted contracts;
- Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT- transit assisted contracts;
- Ensure that the DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
- Ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
- Help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts;
- Promote the use of DBEs in all types of federally assisted contracts and procurement activities; and
- Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program.
RCT has disseminated this policy statement to the Richland County Transit Board and all of the components of our organization. We have distributed this statement to DBE and non-DBE business communities that perform work for us on DOT-assisted contracts.
For more information, please contact the RCTB’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Office at 419-774-6396.
Richland County Transit Board (RCTB)
Requests for Proposals & Invitations to Bid
For more information on requests for proposals and invitations to bid, please visit the Richland County Regional Planning page here.
RCT Main Office
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 6:00am-6:30pm
Contact Information
232 North Main Street
Mansfield, Ohio 44905
Phone: 419-522-4504
Fax: 419-522-3157
Stanton Transit Station
Terminal Hours
Mon-Fri 6:00am-5:30pm
Location
74 South Diamond Street
Mansfield, Ohio 44902
RCT Board
Contact Information
19 North Main Street
Mansfield, Ohio 44902
Phone: 419-774-5684
This service is provided as a public service for the people of Richland County by the Richland County Transit Board.