Utilization of Small / Minority / Women

and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

Carabetta is a leader in providing subcontracting opportunities to minority companies with a proven track record of significant commitments to mentor, develop, and award work to small, minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprises (S/M/W/DBEs), Section 3 contractors and to establish resident employment programs. For all procurements, we place a heavy emphasis on acquiring labor, material and services from Section 3, local, small and S/M/W/DBEs. By setting aside work for these minority firms and placing emphasis on hiring within the local community, our subcontracting program makes a significant contribution. Carabetta's recent projects demonstrate its commitment to minority hiring. The key to success is in planning the work to be subcontracted, providing a scoring system of awarding contracts that favor Section 3, local, S/M/W/DBE firms, and bundling or dividing the work for each development so that there is maximum participation by local, small and S/M/W/DBEs.

Carabetta utilizes local certified S/M/W/DBE subcontractors from any local Certified Minority Business Enterprise Directory as done on our past projects throughout other areas of the nation. Our pool of qualified small and M/W/DBE subcontractors is instantly accessible to all project procurement personnel through our small business database, which also serves as a basic tool for a buyer to develop a bid list for solicitations. We continue to expand that database to ensure that efficient and capable subcontractor and supplier resources are always available as needed.

Subcontractor management, based on our procurement plans, is vital to our success. In maximizing opportunities for small and M/W/DBEs we can identify sources that may be candidates for mentoring. Mentoring allows us to “grow” small businesses while minimizing performance, schedule, and financial risk to the project. Planning and mentoring has allowed us to be successful in completing work on time, with minimal changes, on numerous projects while strengthening the local economy.

Carabetta has also been a leader in training and employing low-income residents of neighborhoods in which they work, recently in projects undertaken in Hartford, CT. This experience ranges from operating an unskilled labor training facility, extensive involvement working with minority contractors and fostering minority business growth, to establishing job training programs and access to employment at neighborhood community centers established throughout the community of Hartford and other cities in which we operate.

Carabetta has a working knowledge of ensuring that all civil rights and affirmative action laws and regulations are followed both by themselves and their subcontractors. Carabetta has a zero-tolerance policy concerning issues of discrimination and harassment. Carabetta prides itself on taking steps to increase women and minority enrollment in the construction field.

Carabetta’s Project Managers ensure that all subcontractors are licensed with the appropriate government agency and that before construction begins, all permits have been filed and approved. Carabetta will oversee the use of registered S/M/W/DBE and Section 3 firms wherever and whenever possible.

Carabetta brings all of these experiences to its development undertakings and continues to support M/W/DBE and Section 3 businesses.