Ocala Wants Diverse Businesses for Contracting Opportunities

The City of Ocala will host a free webinar on Friday, May 10 at 2 p.m. to help local companies understand the role that Diverse Business Enterprises (DBE) play in contracting opportunities.

According to a city media release, a “diverse business enterprise is defined as a business that is at least 51% owned by one or more minorities or women.”

The DBE program is a requirement of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in order for the city to continue receiving funding from the agency. The city must ensure that at least 10% of the funds authorized for FTA, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) assistance is spent with a DBE.

The event will include information on how to register a diverse-owned business with the city, how to compete for contracting opportunities with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and more. The webinar will also provide information on the city’s DBE Goals for Fiscal Years 2024-26, which include increasing the number of diverse-owned businesses participating in the city’s contracting process.

The city currently has 18 FTA assisted contracting opportunities slated for Fiscal Years 2024-26, totaling just under $12 million in expenditures.

For more information about the city’s FTA DBE Program and to register for the free webinar visit www.ocalafl.gov/ftadbegoal.