Ethics of MBE & WBE
Ethics of MBE & WBE
(OP)
Let's see a discussion on the ethics of MBE and WBE... the idea that a firm would be hired based primarily upon the owner's race or gender versus qualifications, experience, economics, etc. I am interested in articles or other threads discussing the topic.





RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
Qualifications are still required. Just there is a small % of work that is set aside. Someone still has to do the rest of the work and get that work.
If someone can't get the remaining 90-95% of the work, why bother for 5-10%?
Where does the ethic come in play?
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
Now, no one needs to do anything about discrimination, since we're "post" discriminatory and we've abolished it; yet, nothing's changed for the underemployed and undereducated. There's now even talk about going back to segregated schools, because the "integrated" schools apparently pull down white achievement, and we can't have that, can we?
The notion that all affirmative action did was to create a class of lazy minorities simply reinforces the notion that minorities are prone to being lazy.
TTFN
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RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
Small businesses - as most *BEs are - do this more effectively than large corporations.
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
In any case, if not for those policies, I might never see a non-Asian in engineering circles.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
Well, no, they wouldn't.
On contracts with required *BE content the required percentage is identified in the RFP package, and everybody's bids will say "we will meet the required *BE percentage". Everybody is playing to the same rules in that regard.
The pool of *BE companies is relatively small for any given contract, so the same company is probably listed in more than one major's bid.
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
They also apply to small businesses, owned by anyone including the individuals of majority. The MBE and WBE has to be a small business to begin with to be an MBE or WBE. Along the same line preferences are also given to veterans, who are not necessarily 'minority' by race.
Theses measures are designed to help start ups and disadvantaged.
Do not get me wrong, I have lived in different parts of the world and I vouch that United States is the best place on the planet to live and it is one the fairest and most accommodating society. Although, that does not mean that it is perfect.
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
When even something as trivial as facial features can a factor, how can skin color not be a factor?
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
Do you have something against "Mr Al Sharpton"? From this comment you sound like you're from NYC or suburbs. I do agree that his tactics are over the top; however, he does speak the ugly truth where nobody else would. Things like (http:/
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
It's not that I don't believe it exists, I just find that it probably exists on a grander scale in terms of communication ability rather than gender/race. I may lean more towards the physically attractive person, all other things being equal, if not consciously then subconsciously. Given an ugly duckling who can communicate well versus a swan who fumbles their words or doesn't speak the local language well (thick accents come into play here), I'm going with the ugly duckling every time (even in sales positions... an ugly duckling can get over a customer's initial gut flinch reaction with a quality sales pitch).
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
I see the benefit to the government very clearly. Will we do business with only giant existing firms, or should we be concerned with competition in the future? I don't think that waiting for large firms to mentor small firms will give effective results.
Biggest problems I've encountered in about 20 years are large, seemingly reputable firms creating or propping up phony companies to pursue set asides, and bundling to circumvent set aside requirements.
If you think racism, sexism and jingoism no longer exist, maybe you should watch the teabaggers in the news.
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
We still have problems and much to improve upon in the USA regarding racism, but we do NOT have Tutsi's killing Hutu's with machete's (e.g. Rwanda) or Christians ethnically cleansing Muslims (e.g. Bosnia). Formally and publically emphasizing racial differences via govermental subsidies will not improve matters on a number of levels.
Get in your Japanese car, drive to a Mexican restaurant and enjoy a German beer in America.
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
Just a reminder that there are people of all races in Mexico, Panama, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the majority of Central and South American countries.
Hidalgoe
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
RE: Ethics of MBE & WBE
I do have a problem with how the system works. In certain sectors, almost every project coming out may have a 10% goal. The issue is that the 10% seems to get filled by in the same portions of the sub-contracts, and by a couple of firms in each of them.
Materials testing is often a good percentage to go towards DBE. Add in some surveying, and perhaps some trucking and you have met your goal. I have seen some relativly good sized materials testing firms work solely on DBE funded projects, and do more business than others.
Although I believe there may be some sarcasm in previous posts, I know first hand that there are many subs selected soly for their chance to improve a DBE goal.