OREANDA-NEWS. Denver International Airport (DIA) has surpassed its goal set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the percentage of work on airport runway pavement and rehabilitation construction projects performed by companies owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

Because DIA receives funds from the FAA, the airport is required to participate in the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE). The program provides opportunities for DBE-certified companies to bid on, and be involved as subcontractors, in airport construction projects.

While the 2013 FAA goal for DIA was set at 17.8 percent, the airport achieved a DBE participation rate of 18.61 percent. Goals are measured as a percentage of contract dollars. In 2013, DIA received USD 27,928,419 from the FAA to pay for runway pavement rehabilitation and improvements. Of that amount, USD 5,196,526 was paid to certified DBE companies that worked on those projects.

“Denver International Airport has made it a priority to embrace inclusivity and to provide significant participation by minority- and women-owned businesses in all airport projects and programs,” said Kim Day, Denver's Manager of Aviation. “We are proud to have exceeded the federal goals for airport construction projects in 2013.”