Contracts Compliance
Department of Civil Rights and Compliance - Contracts Compliance Unit
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District’s (AC Transit) Contracts Compliance Unit is part of the Department of Civil Rights and Compliance. The Contracts Compliance Unit has primary responsibility for administering AC Transit’s Contracting Compliance, Labor Compliance, and Small Business Advocacy programs.
In accordance with the applicable regulations, AC Transit’s Labor Compliance Program aims to maintain compliance with both the Federal and State guidelines for public works projects including but not limited to prevailing wages payments, apprentice training and hiring, minority and women utilization, skilled and trained workforce utilization, and certified payroll submission.
The Labor Compliance Program shall ensure and maintain compliance through the dissemination of information and education of its prime contractors, subcontractors and professional services firms on public works construction projects. In addition, the program may maintain compliance by collecting, monitoring and documenting certified payroll reports (CPR), verifying accuracy through site visits and worker interviews, and initiating the enforcement process in the event of violations.
California Labor Code §1726 requires that AC Transit take cognizance of prevailing wage violations, and when identified possible violations, it can then formally notify the State of California's Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) who may impose penalties and recover back wages through the withholding of contract payments.
Questions or concerns should be sent the Contracts Compliance Unit at contractscompliance@actransit.org
Resources for Employee/Workers
Resources for Contractors
AC Transit’s Small Business Advocacy Program is committed to providing and increasing contracting opportunity participation for local and small businesses on competitively solicited contracting opportunities. As a recipient of federal financial assistances from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), AC Transit is required to implement a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program including the submission of triennial DBE participation goals. In addition, AC Transit has implemented a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Small, Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) Program to complement and enhance the small business programs.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
The purpose of AC Transit’s DBE Program is to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of federally funded contracts and to create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for federally funded contracts.
A DBE is a certified, for-profit small business concern (1) that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged, or, in the case of a corporation, where 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals; and (2) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it. To apply for DBE certification, use the following link to visit the Caltrans DBE Webpage.
To view the District’s DBE Program Policy statement, click here: DBE Program Policy Statement
To view the District's DBE Board Policy, click here: BP460: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Policy
FTA 2023 - 2025 Triennial DBE Goal - Current 24% Goal
After consultation with regional stakeholders and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) personnel, AC Transit has set an overall 24% DBE goal for federal fiscal years (FFY) 2023 – 2025. The goal pertains to FTA funded contracting opportunities only, spanning the next three federal fiscal years beginning October 1, 2022 and ending September 30, 2025. The proposed goal is primarily based on an availability analysis of available DBE firms relative to all firms available for identified, non-transit vehicle purchases, contracting opportunities grouped by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). AC Transit is required to report progress of goal attainment for each six-month period during the triennial period on June 1st and December 1st.
DBE Utilization Reports: June 2023 – December 2023 – June 2024 – December 2024 – June 2025 – December 2025
In the event that anticipated FTA funding is modified (i.e., increased or decreased) and would potentially impact projected contracting opportunities, the adopted 24% DBE goal will be re-evaluated and if need be, adjusted accordingly. For questions or comments, please e-mail contractscompliance@actransit.org.
FTA 2020 – 2022 Triennial DBE Goal: Achieved 17.1% Overall
The Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 - 2022 ended effective September 30, 2022. We are proud to report that AC Transit achieved an overall 17.1% DBE utilization for the complete triennial period. AC Transit would like to thank all those that collaborated with us toward achieving our adopted 10% DBE Goal for this period. The below linked staff reports (see each six-month report) illustrate the continuing efforts and the ups and downs of reaching the goals. The December 2022 staff report illustrates each of the FFY attainments and the overall 3-year goal attainment.
DBE Utilization Reports: June 2020 – December 2020 – June 2021 – December 2021 – June 2022 – December 2022
For questions or comments, please e-mail contractscompliance@actransit.org.
Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) Program
The purpose of AC Transit’s SLBE Program is to increase opportunities for contract awards to small, local businesses participating in District (non-federal) contract and procurement activities; increase the circulation of dollars within the District’s service area; and promote the development of the small, local-business community.
An SLBE is a business located within the geographical boundaries of AC Transit’s 5-Wards, primarily Alameda County and western Contra Costa County, and certified as a small business by a local, state, or federal government agency, including certified DBEs that are domiciled within the Wards’ boundary lines. In order to facilitate the objectives of the SLBE Program, the District’s Contracts Compliance Department, in collaboration with other District staff shall prioritize SLBE firms on non-federally funded projects by establishing set-asides or establishing SLBE goals when practicable. To visit the District’s SLBE Policy, please visit the link at Small and Small Local Business Enterprise Policy.
For additional information or questions, please contact the Contract Compliance Unit at contractscompliance@actransit.org