NATDBE-TI NEWSLETTER – WINTER-SPRING 2012 (January-March)

Posted: 01/09/2012

WELCOME TO THE FOURTH YEAR OF THE NATIONAL DBE TRAINING INSTITUTE!  New rules and guidance for the USDOT DBE program since 2010 has changed the way we do business, with more coming in 2012.  Over the last two years, very significant proposed changes in the DBE program as administered by the FAA, FTA, and FHWA have been or will be implemented, in 2012.  Among these new elements are:

• Transition from annual DBE goals to 3-year overall goals
• PNW-upward adjustment to limits for certifications of DBEs up to $1.32 million (not yet formalized for ACDBE’s).
• Additional administrative provisions for removal of DBEs from projects, with cause.
• Intensified requirements for monitoring each contract for DBE compliance
• New requirements facilitating interstate certifications (2012)
• New annual reporting requirement—additional submissions if goals are not met  (2012)
• Develop and submission of a plan to facilitate opportunities for Small Businesses (due February 28, 2012), per 49 CFR Part 26.39.
• The Small Business Participation Plan must include an implementation schedule and the plan must me fully implemented within  9-months of agency approval.

It should be noted that a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was issued for the Airport Concession program (Part 23), with comments taken through July 27, 2011.  Most of the administrative changes from the 2011 DBE final rule were recommended for the concession program, including goals accountability, monitoring progress, the interstate certification process, and applying the adjusted PNW cap to concessionaires.  However, the issue of whether to retain the up to $3.0 million worth of additional exclusions in determining disadvantaged status for DBE concessionaires has not been settled.  The concession final rule is expected to be released early in 2012. 

We ask now, the same question from last year, ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEW STUFF?  Our hands-on training program for DBELO/DBE/ACDBE professionals is planned to continue in 2012.  In 2011, with classes in four cities, we provided professional hands-on professional development training to 56 professionals.  This year, you should come to our excellent hands-on training through the National DBE Training Institute.  With our 30+ years of on-going experience, let our knowledge help you and your team!

The Training Institute and KWA training team consist of active professional consultants who stay ahead of changes and trends, incorporating them into our practice and training programs.  Our training is never “stale.”  In 2012, we plan to host four sessions in four cities across the U.S.; they are listed below:

March 27-29—Savannah GA —First session set for 2012 in beautiful downtown Savannah!  HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HISTORIC DISTRICT, 199 East Bay Street, Savannah GA 31401; 912-231-9000  (located 3 ½ blks from Paula Deen’s - Lady & Sons restaurant.

Call the hotel and ask for: Ken Weeden & Associates DBE Training Rate: $139/night, includes hot breakfast buffet, and wireless INT. (see www.natdbe-ti.com, for course registration, or call 1-888-762-6296)

July 10-12—Baltimore, MD (Details on hotel, etc. to be provided later)

September 18-20—New Orleans (Details on hotel, etc. to be provided later)

October 29-31—Las Vegas, NV (Details on hotel, etc. to be provided later)  

REGISTER TODAY!

Our training is designed for DBE /ACDBE/UCP professionals at all levels, and especially useful to those who are new in the profession. It is also helpful to businesses struggling to “figure out” the program, or for companies seeking to build “in-house” expertise.

The training is concentrated and focused, for 2 ½ days (not a “conference”) with much opportunity for discussion and Q & A.  The 2012 cost will be $695 per person, with a discount for more than one person from the same agency/or business.  Hope to see you in 2012, in  Savannah, or Baltimore, or New Orleans, or in Las Vegas!!!

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Some comments from previous participants:  (will put in a new one)

“...I just wanted to thank you for the valuable information and training you provided...It was a great session...  I enjoyed the small group as it allowed more interactions.  Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.”  –Participant, St. Louis Session

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“We practice what we teach, and teach what we practice.”  In addition to keeping you updated on recent program changes as they emerge, our core training topics include:

• History and Trends of the DBE program
• DBELO Program Responsibilities and Administration
• What does a “Good” DBE Program look like?
• Program Regulations Overview and Trends (including the final rules, NPRMs, etc.)
• DBE and ACDBE Goal Setting Methodology (including the new 3-year goal submission requirement)
• UCP Certification Process and Requirements for DBE and ACDBE firms, and the new interstate certification process
• Airport Concessions and Joint-Venture Agreement and the Joint Venture Guidance
• Business and Financial Structures in Certifications
• General Compliance and Monitoring

Some of the agencies and/or businesses that sent some of their valued professional staff to us in 2011 include:

• Billings MT Airport
• Brunswick-Golden Isles Regional Airport (GA)
• Charleston (SC) International Airport
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport -UCP
• City of Albany, GA.
• City of Baltimore Dept. of Transportation
• City of Chicago Small Business Compliance-UCP
• Columbia Metro (SC) Airport
• District of Columbia, Dept. of Transportation-UCP
• Georgia DOT-Civil Rights
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Civil Rights-DBE-UCP
• Maine DOT-Civil Rights-UCP
• Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
• Midfield Concessions
• Minnesota DOT-Civil Rights-UCP
• Morgantown, W V, Airport
• Myrtle Beach International Airport
• Philadelphia International Airport-PAUCP
• Skyline Connections, Inc.
• Texas DOT-Civil Rights-UCP
• Tulsa International Airport

NATDBE-TI NEWSLETTER – SUMMER 2011 (June-July)

Posted: 06/15/2011

Greetings, Fellow DBE/DBELO/UCP/ACDBE Professional....ARE YOU READY FOR THE “NEW STUFF”?

Since 2010, proposed and actual changes in both the DBE and ACDBE regulations have altered and will alter the way we do business.  The new Final Rule for 49 CFR Part 26 that was issued in January 2011 marks a very significant turn in the DBE/ACDBE program, from certifications (new personal net worth cap and interstate certifications), to new program administration requirements (monitoring each contract, goals accountability report, small business facilitation plan, etc.).  As of May 27^th, a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) has been issued for the Airport Concessions DBE program (49 CFR Part 23), with comments accepted until July 26^th.  Most of the changes in the January 2011 DBE rule are recommended for the concession program, including goals accountability, monitoring progress of ACDBE participation, the interstate certification process, and applying the adjusted personal net worth cap to concessionaires.  However, the issue of  whether to retain the up to $3.0 million worth of additional exclusions in determining disadvantaged status for DBE concessionaires is very much open to comments.   Be sure to send in your comments on this and any other issues.   To do so, go to http://www.regulations.gov.  Under Document Type, select Rule; under Keyword or ID, type (or copy and paste from here) DOT-OST-2011-0101-0001.  Comments may also be mailed, faxed or hand-delivered per the instructions in the proposed rule.  Also, as announced at recent conferences (we attended the FAA national training in San Diego, and FAA-AMAC in Ft Worth TX), another NPRM is expected this summer for 49 CFR Part 26, to address additional items in the basic DBE rule.  So, again...WILL YOU BE READY FOR THE NEW STUFF?  Come to our excellent hands-on training through the National DBE Training Institute.  With our 30 years of on-going experience, let our knowledge help you and your team!

The Training Institute and KWA training team consist of active professional consultants who stay ahead of changes and trends, incorporating them into our practice and training programs.  Our training is never stale.  In 2011, we have three sessions in three exciting cities available to you, as listed below.  REGISTER TODAY!

1. July 26-28^th, Chicago IL—Springhill Suites River North, 410 N. Dearborn, Chicago IL 60611, 312-494-9301; in bustling downtown, near the famous Magnificent Mile and other cultural and historic attractions (be sure to call and ask for the special $169/night rate for the Ken Weeden training group).
2. September 13-15^th, Courtyard Marriott - Riverwalk, 207 N. St Mary's Street, San Antonio TX 78205, (210) 223-8888; adjacent to the City’s cool and famous landmark, as well as numerous restaurants, shops, etc, and near the Alamo, all at a special rate of $139/night.  Call and ask for the Ken Weeden training group rate.  
3. Nov. 1-3^rd, the Flamingo, in Las Vegas, NV, on the “strip”, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South
   Las Vegas, NV, 89109; (702) 733-3111, at the fabulous rate of $89/night!  What happens in Vegas (to your intellect, that is, in our training class) will not “stay in Vegas.”  Call and ask for the Ken Weeden training group rate.

Our training is designed for DBE/ACDBE/UCP professionals at all levels, but it is especially useful to those new in the profession.  It is also helpful to businesses struggling to figure out the program, or for companies seeking to build “in-house” expertise.

The training is concentrated, focused, for 2½ days (this is not a “conference”) with much opportunity for discussion and Q & A.  The cost is still $795 per person, with a discount for more than one person from the same agency/or business.  We’ll see you in Chicago, or San Antonio, or in Las Vegas!!!

-------------------------------------------------------

Some comments from previous participants:  (will put in a new one)

“...I just wanted to thank you for the valuable information and training you provided...It was a great session...  I enjoyed the small group as it allowed more interactions.  Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.”  –Participant, St. Louis Session

“We practice what we teach, and teach what we practice.”  In addition to keeping you updated on recent program changes as they emerge, our core training topics include:

• History and Trends of the DBE program
• DBELO Program Responsibilities and Administration
• Program Regulations Overview and Trends (including the “New Stuff”, final rules, NPRMs, etc.)
• DBE and ACDBE Goal Setting Methodology (including the new 3-year goal submission requirement beginning in FY 2011)
• UCP Certification Process and Requirements for DBE and ACDBE firms
• Airport Concessions and Joint-Venture Guidance
• Business  and Financial Structures
• General Compliance and Monitoring

So, please take a minute to register online at www.natdbe-ti.com or print out the registration form in the website to either fax (910-762-5963) or mail your registration to the noted address.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at 1-888-762-6296, or via email.  We hope to see you or hear from you soon!

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Examples of agencies and/or businesses that have sent trainees to us in 2011 include:

• Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
• Philadelphia International Airport
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport
• Tulsa International Airport
• Charleston (SC) International Airport
• Columbia Metro (SC) Airport
• Georgia DOT-Civil Rights
• Myrtle Beach International Airport
• Brunswick-Golden Isles Regional Airport (GA)
• Skyline Connections, Inc.

Come to a session that is most convenient to you!

NATDBE-TI SPRING NEWSLETTER - 2011

Posted: 04/25/2011

Welcome to a new year of training, DBE/DBELO/UCP and ACDBE Professional!  We just completed our first session for 2011 in beautiful Savannah, Georgia and have our sights set next on Albany NY, May 10-12, for our second training session.  Please join us!  In 2010, our training program benefitted professionals from 23 different agencies or businesses, representing 15 states.  2010 also witnessed significant changes in both the DBE and ACDBE programs such as the end of the annual DBE goal requirement in favor of a new 3-year DBE goal for USDOT grant recipients.  The ACDBE program was also extended beyond the initial “sunset year” of 2010. Also, there were both Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), and Advance Notice of  Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for several program elements, which as of now (early 2011) have become part of the “new” Final Rule of 49 CFR Part 26 (effective 2-28-2011, and discussed more, below).  Also in 2010, the FAA issued additional guidance concerning long-term and/or exclusive leases at airports.  The KWA training team consists of active professional consultants who strive to stay ahead of changes and trends in order to incorporate them into our practice and training programs. Our training team also found time in 2010 to attend and/or actively participate as presenters, etc., at several conferences or professional seminars.  Among these were:  Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) annual conference; AAAE-AMAC Economic Forum; state aviation conferences in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia; the Virginia state Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) conference; and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) national civil rights symposium.  We are very pleased, as we start 2011, that in 2010, our professional development program helped DBE/DBELO/UCP career professionals from the following entities:

If you missed our very successful Savannah session, please plan to join us for our second 2011 session on MAY 10-12, 2011 in Historic Downtown Albany NY  at the CROWNE PLAZA ALBANY-CITY CENTER, 89 State Street, Albany NY 12207; Phone: 518-462-6611 or Toll-Free: 877-462-4441.  It is located within a few blocks of the Capitol Building, museums, theatres, restaurants, etc.

Call the hotel and ask for the Ken Weeden Room Block Rate or Group Code DKA: $139/night (See www.natdbe-ti.com for course registration, or call 1-888-762-6296)

 The fee is $795 per person, with a discount for more than one person from the same agency.

Some comments from previous participants:

“...I just wanted to thank you for the valuable information and training you provided...It was a great session...  I enjoyed the small group as it allowed more interactions.  Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.”  –Participant, St. Louis Session

-----------------------------------

News Highlights—2011:

2011 is already off with a “bang” as a significant year in the world of DBE program planning and implementation with a recent announcement from DOT Secretary Ray LaHood concerning the new “Final Rule” for Part 26, which became effective 2-28-2011.  Some highlights of this new rule are:

o    Updating of the Personal Net Worth level for DBEs to $1.32 million

o    Making it easier for DBEs to become certified in different states

o    Requiring more program oversight—mandated monitoring for compliance and meeting goals for each contract

o    Requiring documentation of “justification” when goals are not met

o    Requiring the development of a small business and DBE improvement plan

Undoubtedly, this final rule will change the way we, as DBE/DBELO/UCP professionals, conduct our business.  Got Training?  We can help.

 “We practice what we teach, and teach what we practice.”  In addition to keeping you updated on recent program changes as they emerge, our core training topics include:

• History and Trends of the DBE program
• DBELO Program Responsibilities and Administration
• DBE and ACDBE Goal Setting Methodology (including the new 3-year goal submission requirement beginning in FY 2011)
• UCP Certification Process and Requirements for DBE and ACDBE firms
• Airport Concessions and Joint-Venture Guidance
• Business  and Financial Structures
• General Compliance and Monitoring

So, please take the time to register online, or print out the registration form in the website to either fax (910-762-5963) or mail your registration to the noted address. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at 1-888-762-6296, or via email.  We hope to see you or hear from you soon!

NATDBE-TI - Winter/Spring 2011 Newsletter

Posted: 02/11/2011

Welcome to a new year of training, DBE-DBELO-UCP and ACDBE Professional!  As  we begin 2011, we look back on a very full 2010 with our training team conducting seven (7) intensive  2½ day training sessions across the country (Myrtle Beach SC, Austin TX, St. Louis MO, Baltimore MD, Nashville TN and San Francisco CA).  In 2010 our training program benefitted professionals from 23 different agencies or businesses, representing 15 states.  2010 also witnessed significant changes in both the DBE and ACDBE programs, such as the end of the annual DBE goal requirement in favor of a new 3-year DBE goal for USDOT grant recipients. The ACDBE program was also extended beyond the initial “sunset year” of 2010. Also, there were both Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), and Advance Notice of  Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for several program elements, which as of now (early 2011) have become part of the “new” Final Rule of 49 CFR Part 26 (effective 2-28-2011, and discussed more, below).  Also in 2010, the FAA issued additional guidance concerning long-term and/or exclusive leases at airports.  The KWA training team, being active professional consultants, strives to stay ahead of changes and trends, so they can be incorporated both into our practice and into our training programs. Our training team also found time in 2010 to attend and/or actively participate as presenters at several conferences or professional seminars. Among these were:  AMAC annual conference; AAAE-AMAC Economic Forum; state aviation conferences in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia; the Virginia state COMTO conference; and AASHTO’s national civil rights symposium.  We are very pleased, as we start 2011, that in 2010, our professional development program helped DBE/DBELO/UCP career professionals from the following entities:

• South Carolina Division of Aeronautics — DBELO
• Myrtle Beach International Airport — DBELO
• North Carolina DOT — State UCP Program Manager
• Texas DOT — UCP Staff
• Illinois DOT — DBE UCP Director
• Arizona DOT — UCP Certification Specialist
• Kansas State UCP — Director and Staff Specialist
• Maryland DOT — UCP  Staff
• Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) — DBELO staff
• MarketPlace Philadelphia (Major Concessionaire)
• DBE/MWBE Individual Businesses Certification Consultant
• Hasco, Inc.
• ATL Diversified, Inc.
• Ft Lauderdale International Airport—DEBLO Staff
• Nashville International Airport—UCP Staff
• Memphis International Airport—UCP Staff
• Port of Oakland Airport—UCP Staff
• CalTrans-California DOT—UCP Staff
• Montana DOT—UCP Staff
• FAA — New England ADO
• Columbia Metropolitan Airport (SC) — DBELO Staff
• Del Norte County Regional Airport (CA) — DBELO Staff
• Melbourne International Airport (FL) — DBELO Staff

So, please mark your calendars and plan to join us for our first 2011 session in Beautiful Downtown Savannah Georgia!  It will be held on MARCH 29-31, 2011 at the HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HISTORIC DISTRICT, 199 East Bay Street, Savannah GA 31401, Phone: 912-231-9000; 3½ blocks from Paula Deen’s The Lady & Sons restaurant. Call the hotel and ask for the Ken Weeden & Associates DBE Training Rate: $139/night, which includes hot breakfast buffet and wireless internet.  See www.natdbe-ti.com for course registration, or call 1-888-762-6296.

The fee is $795 per person, with a discount for more than one person from the same agency.

Our 2011 training schedule is as follows:

Some comments from 2010 participants:

“...I just wanted to thank you for the valuable information and training you provided...It was a great session...  I enjoyed the small group as it allowed more interactions.  Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.”  –Participant, St. Louis Session

-----------------------------------

News Highlights — 2011

2011 is already off with a “bang” as a significant year in the world of DBE program planning and implementation with the recent announcement from DOT Secretary Ray LaHood concerning the new Final Rule for Part 26, to become effective 2-28-2011.  Some highlights of this new rule are:

• Updating of the Personal Net Worth level for DBEs to $1.32 million
• Making it easier for DBEs to become certified in different states
• Requiring more program oversight—mandated monitoring for compliance and meeting goals for each contract.
• Requiring documentation of justification when goals are not met
• Requiring the development of a small business and DBE improvement plan.

Undoubtedly, this final rule will change the way we as DBE/DBELO/UCP professionals conduct our business. Got Training?

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity that we provide through the National DBE Training Institute  for updated and excellent DBE/DBELO and UCP training, all provided by experienced practitioners. “We practice what we teach, and teach what we practice.”  It is important to equip one or more persons on your staff in DBE professionalism.  We use our 31 years of experience (including 22 years as a consulting firm) to share knowledge gained by having prepared more than a thousand goal methodology documents, and conducting hundreds of DBE/ACDBE certifications  site visits, to help improve the overall profession.  In addition to keeping you updated on recent program changes as they emerge, our core training topics include:

• History and Trends of the DBE program
• DBELO Program Responsibilities and Administration
• DBE and ACDBE Goal Setting Methodology (including the new 3-year goal submission requirement beginning in FY 2011)
• UCP Certification Process and Requirements for DBE and ACDBE firms
• Airport Concessions and Joint-Venture Guidance
• Business  and Financial Structures
• General Compliance and Monitoring

So, please take the time to register online, or print out the registration form in the website to either fax (910-762-5963) or mail your registration to the address on that page.  Meanwhile, if you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at 888-762-6296, or via email.  We hope to see you or hear from you soon!

Newsletter Update for August-October 2010

Posted: 08/25/2010

NATDBE-TI — Late Summer-Early Autumn NEWSLETTER - 2010

Greetings DBE-DBELO-UCP-ACDBE Professional!  As of late summer and early autumn 2010, we have completed four (4) successful training sessions: Myrtle Beach SC, Austin TX, St. Louis MO, and most recently in July, Baltimore MD.  During the summer months both our KWA and NATDBE-TI team members take time to attend and/or participate in helpful conferences and other special events—most notably, the AMAC conference in June in New Orleans.  As a 24-year attendee of AMAC events, and a former board member of AMAC, I feel that this conference was truly outstanding with a good combination of great information sharing and DBE-professional networking.  Other events and professional conferences this year have included state aviation conferences in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee; and Virginia’s COMTO conference in Norfolk.  Others on our 2010 calendar include AASHTO’s national civil rights conference, and state aviation conferences in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Georgia.  So far in 2010, our professional development program has helped DBE/DBELO/UCP career professionals from the following entities:

• South Carolina Division of Aeronautics — DBELO
• Myrtle Beach International Airport — DBELO
• North Carolina DOT — State UCP Program Manager
• Texas DOT — UCP Staff (3 members)
• Illinois DOT — DBE UCP Director
• Arizona DOT — UCP Certification Specialist
• Kansas State UCP — Director and Staff Specialist (2 members)
• Maryland DOT-UCP (3 staff members)
• Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) DBELO staff
• MarketPlace Philadelphia (Major Concessionaire)
• DBE/MWBE Individual Businesses Certification Consultant
• DBE/ACDBE Business Owners

Our concept of intense 3-day training sessions, designed to cover nearly all aspects of DBE program planning, implementation and certifications, targets DBE professionals with day-to-day responsibilities, especially those newly assigned to the program, as well as seasoned pros who need to sharpen/update their knowledge and skills.  Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for our next session October 19-21, 2010 in NASHVILLE TN  at the Courtyard Nashville Downtown, 70 Fourth Ave North, Nashville, Tennessee 37219; Phone: 1-615-256-0900

      Afterwards we’ll close out our training for 2010 in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami (Nov. 3-5) and San Francisco (Dec. 1-3).  See the “Training Schedule” tab for more details.  (Please note: The session originally planned for San Juan, Puerto Rico in August was cancelled for 2010.)  So, please visit our registration page and plan to join us in Nashville TN.  The fee is $795 per person, with a discount for more than one person from the same agency.

Some comments from our 2010 participants include:

“...I just wanted to thank you for the valuable information and training you provided...It was a great training session...  I enjoyed the small group as it allowed more interactions.  Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.”  –Participant, St. Louis Session

News Highlights:

2010 is proving to be a significant year in the world of DBE program planning and implementation:

• End of the “annual” DBE goal submittal
• Implementation of the Final Rule for 3-year DBE goal submittals for all modes, with a new 3-year schedule for FHWA, FTA, and FAA
• End of the “sunset” clause for the Airport Concessions DBE program (49 CFR Part 23)
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for substantial overall DBE program changes for all modes, affecting the following:
  • Updating of the Personal Net Worth criteria
  • Making it easier for DBEs to become certified in different states
  • Requiring more program oversight—mandated monitoring for compliance and meeting goals

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity for excellent DBE/DBELO and UCP training provided by highly experienced practitioners in this important field to better equip one or more persons on your staff in DBE professionalism.  Our theme is “Better Professionals = Better Programs.”  We use our 30 years of experience (including 22 years as a consulting firm) to share knowledge gained by having prepared a thousand or more goal methodology documents, and conducting hundreds of DBE/ACDBE certifications (including site visits), to help improve the overall profession.  In addition to keeping you updated on recent program changes as they emerge, our core training topics include:

• History and Trends of the DBE program
• DBELO Program Responsibilities and Administration
• DBE and ACDBE Goal Setting Methodology (including the new 3-year goal submission requirement beginning in FY 2011)
• UCP Certification Process and Requirements for DBE and ACDBE firms
• Airport Concessions and Joint-Venture Guidance
• Business  and Financial Structures
• General Compliance and Monitoring

So, please take the time to register online, or use the downloadable form in the website to either fax (910-762-5963) or mail your registration to the address on that page.  Meanwhile, if you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at 1-888-762-6296, or via email.  We hope to see you or hear from you soon.