Supplier Diversity Policy

Metro is committed to diversifying the suppliers of its contracted goods and services and has elected to do so by maximizing the opportunities for small minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprises to participate in Metro's contracts.

Metro has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. Since Metro receives Federal financial assistance from DOT, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, Metro has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.

It is the policy of Metro to ensure that DBEs, as defined in 49 CFR Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. It is also Metro's policy:

To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT assisted contracts;
To create a level playing field on which DBE's can compete fairly for DOT assisted contracts;
To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT assisted contracts; and;
To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program

Metro also receives non-federal funds for its operating and capital programs from local sales taxes levied in Metro's service area. These tax proceeds are used to fund the cost of Metro's capital programs and public transportation services.

Definitions

A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firm is defined as a business, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint venture or any other business or professional entity:

Which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged or, in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of all classes of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals; and
Whose management, policies, major decisions and daily business operations are independently managed and controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.
Which is a Small Business Enterprise as defined by the U. S. Small Business Administration regulations (13 CFR Part 121), averaged over a three-year period:
Which is doing business in the Agency's marketplace;
Which is certified by any of the MRCC partners as a DBE.
Additionally, the person(s) meeting the criteria, as socially and economically disadvantaged, cannot have a personal net value over $750,000.00.

A Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) is defined as a business, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint venture or any other business or professional entity. Metro currently is not administering an MBE program.

Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) is defined as a small business concern as defined by the U. S. Small Business Administration regulations (13 CFR Part 121), averaged over a three year period. Metro currently is not administering a WBE program.

Certification

Only the participation of firms certified as disadvantaged can be counted toward the satisfaction of the goal. If you are a disadvantaged business, you are especially encouraged to participate in Metro's business opportunities. To be certified you must meet the above definition for the DBE category for certification.

Metro is a partner in a Unified Certification Program (UCP) called the Missouri Regional Certification Committee (MRCC) and accepts DBE certifications from our partners. The UCP Partners are: the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), Lambert St. Louis International Airport, Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA), and City of Kansas City.

"DBE" firms certified by our MRCC partners will be allowed to participate in the Metro DBE Program. Our address and phone number are:

Office of Supplier Diversity
Metro
707 N. First St., Mail Stop 132
St. Louis, MO 63102
314-982-1400 x1352

Click link to view Metro's Current Bids and Proposals http://www.metrostlouis.org/insidemetro/businessopps

Goal Setting

The Office of Supplier Diversity reviews certain procurements to determine whether they present any opportunities for DBEs. Based on federal guidelines promulgated in 49 CFR Part 26, the Office of Supplier Diversity may set goals for the participation of DBEs for a contracting opportunity; help the prime contractor find qualified DBE subcontractors; and monitor the performance of the prime contractor to ensure that it is using good faith efforts to meet the participation goals.

Regardless of whether or not a DBE goal is established for a contracting opportunity, Metro encourages the full participation of qualified disadvantaged businesses.