---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 26.1"
title: "49"
number: "26.1"
heading: "What are the objectives of this part?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/26.1"
---

# §26.1. What are the objectives of this part?


This part seeks to achieve several objectives:

- (a) To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department's highway, transit, and airport financial assistance programs;
- (b) To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;
- (c) To ensure that the Department's DBE program operates in a nondiscriminatory manner and without regard to race or sex, while maximizing efficiency of service;
- (d) To ensure that only firms that fully meet this part's eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
- (e) To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts;
- (f) To promote the use of DBEs in all types of federally assisted contracts and procurement activities conducted by recipients.
- (g) To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program; and
- (h) To provide appropriate flexibility to recipients of Federal financial assistance in establishing and providing opportunities for DBEs.

## Notes

### Amendments

[64 FR 5126, Feb. 2, 1999, as amended at 79 FR 59592, Oct. 2, 2014; 89 FR 24963, Apr. 9, 2024; 90 FR 47979, Oct. 3, 2025]

### Authority

Authority: 23 U.S.C. 304 and 324; 42 U.S.C. 2000d, et seq.; 49 U.S.C. 47113, 47123; Sec. 1101(b), Pub. L. 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1324 (23 U.S.C. 101 note); Sec. 150, Pub. L. 115-254, 132 Stat. 3215 (23 U.S.C. 101 note); Pub. L. 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (23 U.S.C. 101 note).

### Source

Source: 64 FR 5126, Feb. 2, 1999, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[64 FR 5126, Feb. 2, 1999, as amended at 79 FR 59592, Oct. 2, 2014; 89 FR 24963, Apr. 9, 2024; 90 FR 47979, Oct. 3, 2025]