Biden Wraps Up Presidency with Historic DBE Participation on Federal Contracts
U.S. President Joe Biden is wrapped up his term with historic progress for rebuilding America’s infrastructure, and with historic participation by minority-owned businesses.
In the three years since President Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), theU.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has released nearly $570 billion in infrastructure funding and launched more than 66,000 projects across the nation.The most ambitious infrastructure program since Eisenhower’s construction of the Interstate Highway System, IIJA projects have already repaired 196,000miles of roads and 11,400 bridges, replaced 367,000 lead pipes, and expanded and modernized 580 ports and 1,500 airports.
Federal contract spending with Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) also increased to historic amounts underPresident Biden. The federal government increased its spending with SDBs to nearly $70 billion, 11.4 percent, in 2022, exceeding the mandated 5 percent federal goal for SDB participation by 6.4percent. In 2021 federal spending with SDBs increased to $62.4 billion, 11percent, under Biden. Both years represent historic accomplishments, the largest amounts and percentages of federal government contracts awarded to SDBs ever. To solidify this trend, last year, the president increased the goal for federal contract spending with SDBs from the longstanding 5 percent to 13percent for 2024, and to 15 percent for 2025.
In the coming months, look for even more spending for state and local infrastructure projects. Former USDOT Secretary, Pete Buttigieg recently released more than $3.4billion to support another assortment of projects.
According to Buttigieg, the recent round of funding will ensure a full range of projects to kickoff in 2025, under the new incoming administration of Donald Trump. Look for massive projects that will address the following:
Rail Enhancements Along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) -- with$1.4 billion in funding for 19 projects, these upgrades will provide faster, safer, more accessible, and more reliable rail service for travelers and commuters along the NEC – the busiest rail passage in America.
Thirty-one projects are being funded to Strengthen supply chains and improve port efficiency -- with nearly $580 million in funding, this endeavor will increase both the capacity and efficiency of ports in 15 states, including coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports, and inland river ports critical to regional economies. These port improvement projects will strengthen supply chain reliability, promote workforce development, enhance freight efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve the safety, reliability, and resilience of ports throughout the nation.
Roadway Improvements will be made in 257 local, regional, and Tribal communities, with $172 million slated for planning and demonstration projects in these areas. The projects will help prevent deaths and serious injuries onAmerica’s rural and urban roads, including some of the most dangerous roadways in the country.
To help Support domestic manufacturing of sustainable transportation materials, $1.2 billion is being released to 39 state DOTs. These DOT projects will accelerate the use of cleaner materials in the building of safe and sustainable infrastructure fort he future.
Look to MinorityEntrepreneur News to help sort it all out with announcements of specific State and City projects, bid solicitations, pre-bid meetings, bid awards to prime contractors, and a whole range of capacity building resources, from financing and bonding to technical and bid assistance.