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10 work types. Three STAs published the standard industrial · Increased outreach (7), classification code and age of the firm. E-mail addresses, · UCP (2), and Internet home pages, contact person's name, SB 8A status, · Major local project announcements (2). and certification dates were also noted as information avail- able on the DBE certification lists. The questionnaire did not Only one notation was provided on factors contributing request data on updating or publication frequency. to a decline in certification. The decline was attributed to the change in personal net worth reporting requirements. This was The study questionnaire asked if the STA maintained a supported by another question about trends in firms requesting website with a list of certified DBE firms. The response was removal from DBE certification and if reasons for the change unanimous that the status information of DBEs was available were known. Five STAs indicated that they had experienced through STA websites. In addition, some comments from the an increase in the number of requests to be removed from cer- web page listing were of interest. tification; four attributed personal financial disclosure require- ments as the primary factor for removal and the other reported · DBEs view the listing as similar to a "yellow pages" that there had been some confusion about their certification directory, without having to pay for advertising. Prime process. Seven STAs reported a decline in the number of contractors can access and see their listing. This was requests to be removed from certification lists. There were no noted as an "excellent marketing tool." specific factors attributed to this trend. · Usefulness to prime contractors ranged from "no, they use the information we release with bidding documents" Figure 2 shows the experience of STA administration to the directory being an essential tool for locating and with ready, willing, and able DBE firms. The only factor identifying subcontractors for bidding specific projects. noted by more than one STA for their increase in the number · One state commented that contractors must contact two- of ready, willing, and able DBE firms was the effectiveness thirds of certified DBEs in a work area to be in compli- of outreach programs. On average, these STAs had experi- ance with good faith effort requirements. Its directory enced a 10% increase in the number of ready, willing, and listing was the most current and provides prime con- able DBE firms. No information was provided by those expe- tractors with the most up-to-date information available riencing a decline in ready, willing, and able DBE firms. for bidding. · One STA has made their web page searchable by work scope. It is "one of the most frequently visited sites on NUMBER OF CERTIFICATIONS our webpage." The number of certified DBE firms affects every aspect of the The STAs in many states are the primary source of DBE DBE program. The number of certified firms varies greatly contracting opportunities; 92% of those surveyed (33 STAs) from state to state. Although they are certified, many of the replied that their agency was responsible for coordination of firms seeking certification do not perform work related to the UCP. Three were not the lead agency for certifications, transportation construction. Table 1 shows the number of but participated in a separate entity that was established to certifications and an estimate of the number of firms that were perform the UCP function. Respondents were also asked to willing to work on highway construction projects. The list of examine their past year's data and identify if they had expe- certified firms also requires updates, as new firms are added rienced an increase, decrease, or no change in new firm cer- or firms loose their eligibility. Monthly updates were per- tifications. Figure 1 shows the trends in new firm certifica- formed by 60% of the responding STAs. The other responses tions reported from the questionnaire. were a mixture of weekly and biweekly updates. The three most frequent reasons for increased certifica- tions were No Response 11% Declined 9% Increased Declined 36% 14% Increased 45% Same Same 46% 39% FIGURE 2 STA experience with FIGURE 1 STA new certification the number of ready, willing, and experiences. able DBEs.