The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is inviting community members to participate in a stakeholder meeting focused on setting the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. The meeting will focus on Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) projects in the Shreveport area. In a gesture promoting inclusivity and transparency, LADOTD aims to gather diverse feedback on the proposed objectives.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 22, 2025, as the discussion is set to take place at 5:00 p.m. in the LADOTD District 04-Shreveport/Bossier Office Conference Room, located at 3339 Industrial Road in Bossier City. For those who may find the location too distant, the department has considered the reach of technology and is providing a Zoom option for remote attendance. The upcoming meeting is not merely a suggestion but directly aligns with federal regulations, specifically 49 CFR Part 26.45(g)(1), which outlines the requirement for public participation in these decisions, ensuring that minority, women’s groups, general contractors, and local organizations all have their say and their perspectives weighed in crafting these pivotal goals.
In pursuing the objectives of the DBE Program, LADOTD is guided by a legal framework designed to address historical inequalities and promote fairness in public contracting. As outlined in LADOTD's announcement, the regulations emphasize the necessity of consulting with affected groups to gather information on the availability of both disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged businesses, the impact of discrimination on opportunities for DBEs, and the measures taken to ensure a level playing field for DBE participation. For more information or to review the announcement, interested parties can follow the link to LADOTD's official announcement.
