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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

20.904:  Bonding Assistance Program

Objectives:  To enhance and further the opportunity for Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SDBEs) to obtain bid, performance and payment bonds for transportation-related contracts emanating from the DOT, its grantees, recipients, their contractors and subcontractors.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

20.904 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  The recipient of a bond must be a certified DBE, minority-owned business enterprise or women-owned business enterprise. These certifications must be performed by an agency using DOT guidelines, 49 CFR Part 23. All firms certified by the Small Business Administration as 8(a) companies are eligible to participate in the DOT Bonding program.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Certified Minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises.

Credentials/Documentation:  Application and supplemental information, including a certification letter from the recipient agency(s), using DOT guidelines 49 CFR Part 23.

20.904 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  Information and consultation is available from the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Phone: (202) 366-1169. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  Completed applications should be submitted to Pilot Bonding Program Agents for underwriting and bonds are issued by one of DOT's Participating Sureties. Applicants may obtain a copy of the application and a list for the Pilot Bonding Agents on the OSDBU internet site at: osdbuweb.dot.gov or by contacting OSDBU.

Award Procedure:  All bonds are approved and issued directly to the DBE by the Sureties.

Deadlines:  Based upon bid or contract documents.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Bonds are issued on-site by local agents as representatives of the Sureties.

Appeals:  Not applicable.

Renewals:  Bonds are issued on a project by project basis.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Not applicable.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Not applicable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Average dollar amount of bonds issued is $330,000.

20.904 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 59.006 8(a) Business Development;
• 59.016 Bond Guarantees for Surety Companies;
• 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance.

20.904 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

20.904 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Type of Assistance:  Insurance.

Obligations:  (Guaranteed Surety Bonds) FY 99 $15,000,000; FY 00 est $15,000,000; and FY 01 est $0.

Budget Account Number:  69-0102-0-1-407.

Authorization:  Public Law 97-449, 49 U.S.C. 332.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Public Law 97-449, 49 U.S.C.332.

20.904 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  Arthur D. Jackson, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, S-40, Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Phone: (800) 532-1169.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

20.904 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Guarantees run to termination of bond (usually one year after completion of contract).

Uses and Use Restrictions:  The bonds are issued in support of transportation-related contracts. Transportation-related means a contract for the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, or revitalization of any of the Nation's modes of transportation with any public or commercial provider of transportation or any Federal, State or local transportation agency.

20.904 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Monthly, internal OSDBU reports; Reports to the Secretary of Transportation on all bond approvals.

Audits:  DOT has the right to audit its accounts with the Participating Sureties.

Records:  OSDBU and the surety agents maintain records of current applicant files, such as approvals. Bond approvals will be maintained by the participating sureties, with a copy provided to DOT.