AFFIRMATIVE ACTION REQUIREMENTS UNDER TITLE 23

New Program - SBPPP

In addition to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program or the Small Business
Enterprise (SBE) program, the Department will be utilizing a Small Business Participation
Program Pilot (SBPPP). The SBPPP goal shall be shall be based upon a percentage of the
total contract value. Compliance with this provision may be fulfilled when a SBPPP or any
combination of SBPPPs perform work. Only work actually performed by and/or services
provided by SBPPPs which are certified for such work and/or services can be counted
toward the SBPPP goal. Supplies and equipment a SBPPP purchases or leases from the
prime Contractor or its affiliate cannot be counted toward the goal.

The SBPPP is part of the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (CONNDOT) race-

neutral DBE program. This program allows the Department to extend the reach of
opportunity to an expanded group of Small Disadvantaged Businesses. Eligible businesses
include the following:
• Firms certified as DBE firms by the CONNDOT;
• Firms certified as Small Business Enterprises (SBE) by the Connecticut Department
of Administrative Services;
• Firms certified as 8(a) or Small Disadvantaged Businesses by the United States
Small Business Administration;
• Firms certified as HubZone firms; or
• A current active recipient of a USSBA loan (documentation required).

The CONNDOT Screening Committee will be responsible for determining what goals will be
assigned to CONNDOT funded projects. The Municipality is responsible for insuring that the
CONNDOT assigned goals are made part of the bid documents.

CONNDOT will not be establishing separate goals for Municipalities. CONNDOT will review
each project to determine the possibility of goal achievement on each project prior to assigning a
project goal.

Municipalities will be responsible for insuring that the firms meet the criteria for eligibility to
meet project goals. This criteria includes; current program certification, and certification in the
area of work to be used to meet the goal. The Municipality shall ensure that the contractor has
assigned enough participation to meet the required goal or the contractor has satisfactorily
documented a Good Faith Effort.

The Division of Contract Compliance has assigned two staff members to assist the
Municipalities with questions concerning the DBE, SBE and SBPPP programs. The contact
persons are as follows: Ms. Shari Pratt, at (860) 594-2169; or Ms. Phylisha Coles at (860) 594-
2178.