Page lüa -Minority Business Enterprises October 10, 1990 CONTRA CTING WITH THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ODOT’s Commitment The Oregon Department of Transportation is committed to doing business with minority, women and emerging small businesses. Last year nearly $28,000,000 --13 percent of all contracting dollars -- were committed to minority and women businesses on highway construction projects. About ODOT’s DBE Program The department administers, through its Civil Rights Section, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, an economic development program for minority and women contractors in highway construction. The department assures participation of minority and women owned firms through DBE participation goals on projects. The current annual goal is 12 percent of the total amount of all federally-funded contracts. About ESB The department’s new Emerging Small Business pilot program offers opportunities for smaller contractors to participate in the department’s extensive public improvement contracting process. 1-800-442-U ASK The ESB Program aims at helping smaller companies bridge the competitive gap. For example, we assisted the Oregon Department of Economic Development in the creation of the Oregon Small Business Hotline. By dialing 1-800-442-U ASK, small businesses can learn about starting and maintaining a business and obtain information about new business opportunities. Bond Waivers and Timely Payments ODOT has initiated a program to waive bonds on some smaller projects ($100,000 and under). We have also identified several small contracts around the state that will be set aside for exclusive bidding by ESBs. The department is considering rules that will help subcontractors to get paid in a more timely fashion. Opportunities The following contract opportunities will be advertised in the coming months. Some will be reserved for ESB bidding only (costs are estimates only): I-5 at Jantzen Beach Highways 26 and 6 Highway 110 Highway 101 Heppner-Span Highway Baker Rest Area (I-84) “Oregon Thanks You” sign Scoopmobile sheds Pedestrian Walk 3 Left-turn refuges New bridge Landscape building $40,000 25,000 25,000 40-50,000 each 87,000 10,000 Lcam More Want to find out more about how the Emerging Small Business Program can help you increase your share of government contracts? Call Jerry Hoffman at 378-4900 for more information. Mark Your Calendars Following is a partial list of projects coming up for bid with DBE participation goals, including their estimated cost: September 27, 1990 Bid Letting Sawtell Road - MP 29.0 ($2,000,000) UPRR Overcrossing - Pendleton Highway ($6,000,000) Cornell Road Interchange ($15,000,000) October 25, 1990 Bid Letting Winchester Interchange—NB Ramps ($500,000) Tacoma St. Interchange & SE 17th Ave. Connection ($15,000.000) November 15, 1990 Bid Letting Miami River Bridge ($2,000,000) To learn more about opportunities in the DBE program, contact Harvey Lockett at 378-8077