Office of Compliance and Inclusion

The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is committed to diversity and ensuring that all persons have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in Airport contracts. We demonstrate this commitment in leveling the playing field for all businesses interested in contracting opportunities with The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport through the implementation and operation of its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, 49 CFR Part 26, and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program, 49 CFR Part 23.  In 2012, the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program was implemented as an element of the DBE Program.   We are committed to continually increasing the number of certified DBE/ACDBE firms with the Ohio Unified Certification Program (UCP) and verifying eligible applicants for SBEs.    

The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport enforces the rules and regulations of the Davis Bacon and Related Acts on federal projects and the Ohio Revised Codes 4115 on non-federal projects to pay prevailing wage rates to all laborers and mechanics working on construction sites for public buildings and public works. 

Review of our DBE Compliance program (PDF).

Review of our Airport Concession DBE Compliance program (PDF).

DBE/ACDBE Certification Eligibility Requirements

In order for small disadvantaged firms, including those owned by minorities and women, to participate as a DBE or ACDBE in federally-assisted contracts, they must apply for and receive certification. Before being certified as a DBE/ACDBE, a company must meet these requirements of the Ohio UCP:

• In general, to be eligible for the DBE program, persons must own 51% or more of a "small business," establish that they are socially and economically disadvantaged within the meaning of DOT regulations (49 C.F.R. Part 26), and prove they control their business.
• The DOT presumes certain groups are disadvantaged, including women, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian-Pacific Americans, or other minorities found to be disadvantaged by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
• Persons who are not members of one of the above groups and own and control their business may also be eligible if they establish their "social" and "economic" disadvantage. The Department notes, for example, that people with disabilities have disproportionately low incomes and high rates of unemployment, and that many may be socially and economically disadvantaged. A determination of whether an individual with a disability meets DBE eligibility criteria is made on a case-by-case basis
• An applicant company (including its affiliates) must demonstrate it is a “small business,” as defined by Small Business Administration standards. In general, companies cannot have annual gross receipts of more than $23.98 million in the previous three fiscal years (or $56.42 million for airport concessionaires, with some exceptions).
• The personal net worth of an applicant company’s owner(s) cannot exceed $1.32 million. A person’s ownership interest in the applicant company and equity interest in their primary residence are excluded from the net worth calculation.
• Entities that are owned and operated by a member of a disadvantaged class within Ohio are eligible to apply for DBE and ACDBE Certification through the Ohio Department of Transportation. To apply for Ohio Department of Transportation DBE and ACDBE Certification in Ohio you must fill out the Unified Certification Program (UCP) Application. To download an application, obtain additional information regarding DBE/ACDBE Certification, or for a listing of currently certified DBE/ACDBE firms, please visit ohioucp.org or call 614.466.3778.

DBE Compliance

The DBE Program ensures all program participant compliance with federal requirements pursuant to 49 CFR Part 26. DBE compliance is to ensure that scheduled work is actually being performed, managed, and controlled by the DBE Company contracted to perform on the contract.

The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Compliance Office engages in the following activities in its efforts to monitor contracts:

• Performs audits to determine actual DBE participation level for each project
• Conducts on-site readiness and compliance visits
• Monitors prime contractor’s payments to subcontractors and suppliers for payment
• Reviews change orders for their effect on DBE contract values
• Attends project progress meetings