DETERMINATION OF DBE PARTICIPATION A firm must be an eligible DBE and perform a professional or technical function relating to the project. Once a firm is determined to be an eligible DBE, the total amount paid to the DBE for work performed with his/her own forces is counted toward the DBE goal. When a DBE subcontracts part of the work of its contract to another firm, the value of the subcontracted work may be counted toward DBE goals only if the subprovider is itself a DBE. Work that a DBE subcontracts to a non-DBE firm does not count toward DBE goals. A DBE subprovider may subcontract no more than 70% of a federal aid contract. The DBE subprovider shall perform not less than 30% of the value of the contract work with assistance of employees employed and paid directly by the DBE; and equipment owned or rented directly by the DBE. DBE subproviders must perform a commercially useful function required in the contract in order for payments to be credited toward meeting the contract goal. A DBE performs a commercially useful function when it is responsible for executing the work of the contract and is carrying out its responsibilities by actually performing, managing, and supervising the work involved. To perform a commercially useful function, the DBE must also be responsible, with respect to materials and supplies used on the contract, for negotiating price, determining quality and quantity, ordering the material, and installing (where applicable) and paying for the material itself . When a DBE is presumed not to be performing a commercially useful function, the DBE may present evidence to rebut this presumption. A Provider may count toward its DBE goal a portion of the total value of the contract amount paid to a DBE joint venture equal to the distinct, clearly defined portion of the work of the contract performed by the DBE. Proof of payment, such as copies of canceled checks, properly identifying the Department’s contract number or project number may be required to substantiate the payment, as deemed necessary by the Department.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION AND SOLICITATION LIMITATIONS No state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder, or principal of a holder of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee (which includes town committees). In addition, no holder or principal of a holder of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State senator or State representative, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee. On and after January 1, 2011, no state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder, or principal of a holder of a valid prequalification certificate, shall knowingly solicit contributions from the state contractor's or prospective state contractor's employees or from a subcontractor or principals of the subcontractor on behalf of (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee. DUTY TO INFORM State contractors and prospective state contractors are required to inform their principals of the above prohibitions, as applicable, and the possible penalties and other consequences of any violation thereof. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS Contributions or solicitations of contributions made in violation of the above prohibitions may result in the following civil and criminal penalties: Civil penalties—Up to $2,000 or twice the amount of the prohibited contribution, whichever is greater, against a principal or a contractor. Any state contractor or prospective state contractor which fails to make reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions requiring notice to its principals of these prohibitions and the possible consequences of their violations may also be subject to civil penalties of up to $2,000 or twice the amount of the prohibited contributions made by their principals. Criminal penalties—Any knowing and willful violation of the prohibition is a Class D felony, which may subject the violator to imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or not more than $5,000 in fines, or both.
