Introduction

Presidential Executive Order No. 11625, established a public policy to assure the opportunity for full participation of socially and economically disadvantaged groups in our free enterprise systems. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transportation Administration (FTA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise clause in all grant, concessions, contract, requires that each grantee use its best efforts to ensure that disadvantaged business enterprise have "… the maximum practical opportunity to participate…" in Federally assisted projects and funded activities.

Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, provides that "…no person shall on the grounds of race, sex, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.