2001-012 - Federal Highway Administration Funding Program

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tions will be subject to the Subletting and Subcontracting Fair Practices Act ('FPA). Local agencies will require contractors to adhere to the provisions ~vithin Subletting and Subcontracting Fai.r Practices Act (State Law) Sections 4100-4i44. PPA requires the contractor to list all subcontractors in excess of one half of one percent (0.5%) of the contractor's total bid or $10,000, whichever is greater. The statute is designed to prevent bid shopping by contractors. The FPA explains that a contractor may not substitute a subcontractor listed in the original bid except with the approval of the awarding authority. The RE will give the contractor a blank Exhibit 17-F, '"Final Report Utilization of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, First Tier Subcontractors" and will explain to them that the document will be required at the end of the project, for which payment can be withheld, in conformance with the contract. Construction Contract Monitoring The RE will ensure that the RE's staff (inspectors) know what items of work each DBE is responsible for performing. Inspectors will notify the RE immediately of apparent violations. When a firm other than the listed DBE subcontractor is found performing the work, the RE will notify the contractor of the apparent discrepancy and potential loss of payment. Based on the contractor's response, the RE will take appropriate action: The DBE Liaison Officer will perform a preliminary investigation to identify any potential issues related to the DBE subcontractor performing a commercially useful function. Any substantive issues will be forwarded to the Caltrans Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. If the contractor fails to adequately explain why there is a discrepancy, payment for the work will be withheld and a letter will be sent to the contractor referencing the applicable specification violation and the required withholding of payment. If the contract requires the submittal of a monthly truck document, the contractor will be required to submit documentation to the RE showing the owner's name; California Highway Patrol CA number; and the DBE certification number of the owner of the truck for each truck used during that month for which DBE participation will be claimed. The trucks will be listed by California Highway Patrol CA number, in the daily diary or on a separate piece of paper for documentation. The numbers are checked by inspectors re~larly to confirm compliance. Providing evidence of DBE payment is the responsibility of the contractor. .Substitution When a DBE substitution is requested, the RE will request a letter from the contractor explaining why substitution is needed. The RE must review the letter to be sure names and addresses are shown, dollar values are included, and reason for the request is explained. If the RE a~ees to the substitution, the RE will notify, in writing, the DBE subcontractor regarding the proposed substitution and procedure for written objection from the DBE subcontractor in accordance with the Subletting and Subcontracting Fair Practices Act. If the contractor is not meeting the contract goal with this substitution, the contractor must provide the required good faith effort to the RE/Contract M~nager for local agency consideration. -~