(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 assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program; and
(g) To provide appropriate flexibility to recipients of Federal financial assist