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About the DBE Program
| | The DBE program is promulgated pursuant to 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26. It includes all contracts for construction, professional services, and procurement which are funded in whole or in part by federal dollars from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This also includes certain concessions operations at the airport. As a recipient of Federal financial assistance, the NOAB is mandated to maintain a viable DBE program to promote and maintain a level playing field for all DBEs to compete for and to perform on these federally-funded contracts. The NOAB adheres to nondiscriminatory practices in the award and administration of all DOT assisted contracts. Additionally it is our commitment to remove any barriers which may impede DBE participation, assist in the development of DBE firms to compete successfully, ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable laws, and implement DBE eligibility standards which are consistent with 49 CFR Parts 23 and 26. |
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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Office
New Orleans International Airport
P.O. Box 20007
New Orleans, LA 70141
504.303.7611
504.303.7614 (fax)
Philistine Ferrand
DBE Liaison Officer
DBE CertificationIn order to comply with our DBE Program, the New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB) has established a DBE office and has appointed a DBE Liaison Officer (DBELO) to coordinate and administer the Program and Plan. The first step in the certification process is to complete and submit a DBE application to the DBELO at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The DBELO then conducts a site visit to verify status and issue a decision. The NOAB will certify only those businesses which are at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by persons who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
An eligible DBE must be an independent business where ownership and control by socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s) are real, substantial and continuing. Individuals who are members of the following groups and are citizens of the Unites States may be reputably presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged: Women; Hispanic Americans; Native Americans; Asian-Pacific Americans; Subcontinent Asian Americans; and other minorities found to be disadvantaged by the
Small Business Administration (SBA) The DBE owners must share in the risks and profits commensurate with their ownership interests, and must also possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the day-to-day management and major decisions of the firm. There cannot be any restrictions which prevent the DBE owners from making a business decision without the cooperation or vote of the non-DBE owners. If non-DBE members of the firm are disproportionately responsible for the operation of the firm, then the firm will not be certified.
DBE Compliance
The DBE Liaison Officer (DBELO) is responsible for monitoring DBE project goals from pre-award to completion, ensuring that all DBE goals are met. This includes reviewing the DBE goal for contract awards, monitoring quarterly payments to DBEs, performing commercially useful function reviews, resolving conflicts and complaints and reviewing project files upon completion for compliance with the DBE program requirements.
State and Local Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program DescriptionIn this program, an overall participation goal of 27% of all public works projects funded by state and local dollars was established for State and Local Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (SLDBE) certified firms. Unlike the DBE program where the DBELO makes the certification decisions, an independent panel of sociologists and economists are responsible for approving or rejecting applications for SLDBE certification.
A firm is certifiable under this program if it is at least 51% owned and controlled by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged and where the firm is not dominant in its industry. There are
no presumptions of disadvantaged status for any racial, ethnic group or gender. Each individual must supply evidence of both historic and continuing economic and social disadvantage which is considered by the panel, along with the results of a site visit. The burden of proof must be borne by the applicant. Certification is reciprocal for the DBE program administered by the
Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, the
City of New Orleans and
Harrah's Jazz Casino.
Outreach Program
It is not enough to have a DBE program alone and not provide any additional support to the community outside of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The New Orleans Aviation Board acknowledges this and has created many opportunities for businesses and individuals to participate in business growth and development.
The New Orleans Aviation Board through its DBE Office performs outreach in several areas, including; Co-Operative Partnerships, Internships, Seminars (Vendor Fair) and Training, and acknowledgement of DBE's accomplishments at its annual DBE Awards Ceremony.
Information, Directories, Applications and Forms
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