DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE POLICY STATEMENT 
The Virgin Islands Department of Public Works (DPW) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise 
(DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 
26.  DPW receives federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation.  As a condition of 
receiving this assistance, DPW has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26. 
It is DPW’s policy to ensure that DBEs, as defined in Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and 
participate in DOT assisted contracts.  It is also DPW’s policy: 
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To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT–assisted contracts; 
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To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT- assisted contracts; 
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To ensure the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law; 
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To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate 
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 as DBEs; 
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To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT assisted contracts; 
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To assist with the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the 
           DBE Program. 
DPW’s Civil Rights Program Manager has been delegated as the DBE Liaison Officer.  In that capacity, the 
Civil Rights Program Manager is responsible for implementing all aspects of the DBE program.  Implementation 
of the DBE program is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred by 
DPW in its financial assistance agreements with the Department of Transportation. 
DPW has disseminated this policy statement throughout the department and to all other divisions of the 
organization.  DPW has distributed this statement to DBE and non-DBE business associations that perform work 
for us on DOT-assisted contracts, and to the general public by a variety of methods.  These include the posting 
of this statement on the DPW’s website, Chambers of Commerce, and with community-based organizations 
serving the disadvantaged business community. 
 
 
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    __________________________                        
Derek A. Gabriel                                                                            Date 
Commissioner