What are the objectives of this part?

§ 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 is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law; (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. [64 FR 5126, Feb. 2, 1999, as amended at 79 FR 59592, Oct. 2, 2014]