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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Business Diversity Department?
- What certification agencies does the NTTA recognize?
- How do I get on the NTTA vendor bidder's list?
- What are the benefits for registering with the NTTA?
- How do I learn about upcoming opportunities at the NTTA?
- How do I get certified as a DBE, M/WBE or SBE?
- Does a firm have to be DBE, M/WBE or SBE certified to bid on NTTA procurements?
- How do I find out if firms are certified as DBEs?
- What goals will have to be met to satisfy the DBE program requirements?
- What goals will have to be met to satisfy the M/W/SBE program requirements?
- Where do I call with questions about the NTTA's DBE and M/W/SBE programs?
- Are DBE, M/WBE and SBE goals really quotas?
- What is the purpose of the goals?
- How do we report a complaint about or violation of the DBE, M/WBE or SBE programs?
- Do I have to identify myself when I make a complaint?
- What records do I need to keep? Will the NTTA audit my records?
- If the contract value increases, does the D/M/W/SBE value also increase?
- What happens when a sub-contractor's certification expires during the contract/project period?
- What is included in the monthly progress report?
- Do prime contractors need to submit monthly progress reports if a sub- contractor does not send an invoice?
- What if I make changes to my initial sub-contractor utilization plan?
- Can disadvantaged business, minority-or woman-owned or small-business enterprise sub-contractors continue to work after their certification expires?
- Does the NTTA have annual goals?
- If the prime contractor is a D/M/W/SBE firm, does the firm have to sub-contract to meet the goal?
- On Form 4907, do we record participation based on the total amount invoiced to date or total paid to date?
- Are second-tier sub-contractors allowed to be counted toward the goal? If so, do they need to be recorded on Form 4907?
- Where are the required forms located?
- What is the Business Diversity Department?
The Business Opportunity Program and Policy (BOPP) was established in 2002 by the Board of Directors. In August 2008, the department's name was changed to the Business Diversity Department. The department is responsible for the development, implementation, coordination and supervision of participation and utilization on all contracts, projects and procurements with minority-owned, woman-owned, small and disadvantaged business enterprises
- What certification agencies does the NTTA recognize?
NTTA recognizes certification from the following entities:
North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA)
State of Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) DBE and SBE Program
Entities participating in the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP)
- How do I get on the NTTA vendor bidder's list?
All vendors wishing to participate in NTTA procurement opportunities must register online. Visit our Web site www.NTTA.org, and click the "Working With Us" link. Then click the "Begin Registration Process" link, and complete the registration form. If you have any questions, please contact the Business Diversity Department at (214) 461-2007.
- What are the benefits for registering with the NTTA?
Registering with the NTTA allows you to do the following:
Automatically receive e-mails for NTTA bidding opportunities that match your firm's registered skill set and identified commodity codes
Participate in the NTTA's electronic bidding program
View detailed information about advertised bidding opportunities
- How do I learn about upcoming opportunities at the NTTA?
Please visit our Web site www.NTTA.org, and click the "Working With Us" link. On the right side of the page, you will find the "Goods/Services Opportunities" link. Here you will find upcoming opportunities for goods/services, construction/maintenance, professional and consulting services. You also may view the Construction Letting Schedule.
- How do I get certified as a DBE, M/WBE or SBE?
- Does a firm have to be DBE, M/WBE or SBE certified to bid on NTTA procurements?
No. All interested and qualified firms, including DBEs and SBEs, may submit bids for NTTA procurements
- How do I find out if firms are certified as DBEs?
- What goals will have to be met to satisfy the DBE program requirements?
The requirements will usually include committing to and achieving numerical goals that will be explained in the bid and contract documents
- What goals will have to be met to satisfy the M/W/SBE program requirements?
The requirements will usually include committing to and achieving numerical goals that will be explained in the bid and contract documents. Where sub-contracting opportunities are probable, contractors must submit sub-contracting plans before they are awarded contracts. e
- Where do I call with questions about the NTTA's DBE and M/W/SBE programs?
Call the Business Diversity Department at: 214-461-2007 to obtain information and to receive assistance.
- Are DBE, M/WBE and SBE goals really quotas?
No, the goals are not quotas.
- What is the purpose of the goals?
The purpose of the goals is to give DBEs and M/W/SBEs equal access to the NTTA's contract bidding process and to encourage participation in the NTTA's contracting opportunities.
- How do we report a complaint about or violation of the DBE, M/WBE or SBE programs?
Complaints should be delivered to the Business Diversity Department's Director, Anthony Coleman, at 5900 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 100, Plano, Texas 75093 or by phone at 214-461-2007.
- Do I have to identify myself when I make a complaint?
You do not have to identify yourself when you make a complaint. However, it may be harder to investigate an anonymous complaint.
- What records do I need to keep? Will the NTTA audit my records?
Contractors must keep all records in compliance with the law. The BDD may seek to review all records relating to sub-contractor payments, including records proving that DBE and M/W/SBE vendors were promptly and fully paid and that they actually performed the work for which they were paid.
- If the contract value increases, does the D/M/W/SBE value also increase?
Yes, the aspirational goal is based on the overall contract goal. If the contract amount increases, the goal should increase accordingly.
- What happens when a sub-contractor's certification expires during the contract/project period?
Once the certification expires, the participation of the sub-contractor will no longer be counted toward the goal.
- What is included in the monthly progress report?
The actual dollar amount that has been paid to small businesses, minority- and woman-owned businesses, disadvantaged business enterprises and non-minority firms.
- Do prime contractors need to submit monthly progress reports if a sub- contractor does not send an invoice?
Yes, a monthly progress report must be submitted showing zeros if a sub-contractor does not invoice or is not utilized.
- What if I make changes to my initial sub-contractor utilization plan?
Any proposed revisions to sub-contractor utilization, including the addition or replacement of sub-contractors, must be approved by the Business Diversity Department in advance.
- Can disadvantaged business, minority-or woman-owned or small-business enterprise sub-contractors continue to work after their certification expires?
The sub-contractors may stay on the job, however their participation will not count toward the goal.
- Does the NTTA have annual goals?
No, BDD assigns contract-specific goals based on the availability of certified vendors able to perform the necessary work.
- If the prime contractor is a D/M/W/SBE firm, does the firm have to sub-contract to meet the goal?
The NTTA requires all prime contractors to sub-contract work that is not being self-performed.
- On Form 4907, do we record participation based on the total amount invoiced to date or total paid to date?
The monthly report should reflect the total amount paid to the sub-contractor or sub-consultant for work performed the previous month.
- Are second-tier sub-contractors allowed to be counted toward the goal? If so, do they need to be recorded on Form 4907?
Yes, all D/M/W/SBE firms counted toward the goal must be indentified on the monthly progress reports (4907 form).
- Where are the required forms located?
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