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The RHA MBE/FBE/DBE policy regarding the purchase of services or goods is that whenever possible a MBE (Minority Business Enterprise), FBE (Female Business Enterprise), DBE (Disabled Business Enterprise), or Section 3 business concern will be solicited in the competitive pricing and/or award process. Each contract issued by the RHA will include provisions regarding MBE/FBE/DBE solicitation and employment for firms wishing to participate in RHA’s federally funded procurement activities that have potential for MBE/FBE/DBE involvement in accordance with Executive Order 11625.
Definitions
The following definitions are used throughout the bid documents and contract documents:
1. Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) – a business that is fifty-one percent (51%) or more owned by one or more persons who are members of a racial minority (“Racial Minority” is defined below), and in which such persons share economic interests and have proportionate control over management, interest in capital, and interest in earnings.
2. Female Business Enterprise (FBE) – a business that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one or more females, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at lease 51% of the stock is owned by one or more females; is managed by, and the daily business operations are controlled by one or more females; and is a domestic corporation with its home office located in the United States, which is not a branch or subsidiary of a foreign corporation, firm, or other business.
3. Disabled Business Enterprise (DBE) – a business that is fifty-one percent (51%) or more owned by one or more disabled individuals, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at lease 51% of the stock is owned by one or more disabled individuals; is managed by, and the daily business operations are controlled by one or more disabled individuals; and is a domestic corporation with its home office located in the United States, which is not a branch or subsidiary of a foreign corporation, firm, or other business.
4. Certification – all MBE, FBE, and DBE firms must provide evidence satisfactory to RHA of minority ownership.
5. Racial Minority – also called “Minority”, means any United States citizen who is:
XX• African American (racial classification 2) – all persons of origins in any black African racial group not of Hispanic origin; or,
XX• Hispanic American (racial classification 3) – all persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other
XXXSpanish descended culture or origin, regardless of race; or,
XX• Asian American (racial classification 4) – all persons having origins in any of the Pre-Magellan peoples of the Far East,
XXXSoutheast Asia, the Indian Sub-continent, or the Pacific Islands; or,
XX• American Indian or Native Alaskan (racial classification 5) – all persons having origins in an y of the Pre-Colombian peoples
XXXof North America, including Alaska, who maintain identifiable tribal cultural affiliations, through membership and participation
XXXor community identification; or,
XX• Hasidic Jew (racial classification 6) – all persons having origins in the Hasidic Jewish culture, who maintain identifiable
XXXcultural affiliations, through membership and participation or community identification.
6. Disabled Person – any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life activities, or has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment.
7. Woman – a person born with the physical and genetic characteristics commonly associated with the female gender as currently defined by the professional medical community.
MBE/FBE/DBE
All MBE, FBE, DBE and Section 3 are encouraged to be certified through one of the following entities:
For self-certification:
• Agency of Natural Resources (State of Vermont)
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program - http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/fed/dbe/dbehome/htm
Donald Robisky, donald.robisky@anr.state.vt.us, 802-241-3734
• Department of Buildings & General Services (State of Vermont)
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
VT Dept of Buildings & General Services
Purchasing & Contract Administration
1078 US Route 2
Middlesex, VT 05633
Or 802-828-2211
Bob Rea, bob.rea@state.vt.us, 802-828-5651
• The Vermont Business Registry - www.vermontbusinessregistry.com
Robin Miller, robin@thinkvermont.com, 802-828-5240
• Central Contractor Registration (Department of Defense CCR)
Brenda Plastridge, Brenda.plastridge@sba.gov, 802-828-4422 ext. 206
For agency certification:
• Agency of Transportation (State of Vermont)
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program - http://www.aot.state.vt.us/civilrights/DBE.htm
Nancy Bruce, nancy.bruce@state.vt.us, 802-828-2715
• The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) - http://www.wbenc.org
• The National Women’s Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) - http://www.nwboc.org
• The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) - http://www.nmsdc.org/index.html
Other Certification Programs:
• 8(a) Business Development Program (US Small Business Administration) - http://www.sba.gov/8abd
Brenda Plastridge, Brenda.plastridge@sba.gov, 802-828-4422 ext. 206
• Small Disadvantaged Business (US Small Business Administration SDB) - http://www.sba.gov/sdb
Brenda Plastridge, Brenda.plastridge@sba.gov, 802-828-4422 ext. 206
• The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program (US Small Business Administration) - http://www.sba.gov/hubzone
Brenda Plastridge, Brenda.plastridge@sba.gov, 802-828-4422 ext. 206
All bidders must comply with the requirements of RHA’s MBE Program to be considered responsive. For more information on RHA’s MBE/FBE/DBE Program, contact Richard Baker or call (802)775-2926.
