The firm’s client submitted the low bid for a $105 million Caltrans highway project. Caltrans rejected the bid, concluding the bidder failed to use sufficient good faith efforts to identify and involve Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). The firm filed an appeal, detailing the extensive DBE outreach efforts by the bidder and how those efforts met the standards set forth by the Code of Federal Regulations, 49 C.F.R. 26, Appendix A. The firm lead a hearing at Caltrans headquarters in Sacramento, after which Caltrans reversed its initial rejection of the bid. Caltrans awarded the project to the firm’s client.
Counsel: P. Randolph Finch Jr.