DBE CONTRACTING UPDATE

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January 2009

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WisDOT 2008 DBE 23rd Annual Workshop and Secretary's Awards program

From M-Change to market change

Approximately 250 DBE firms, prime contractors, transportation experts, practitioners and administrators representing government and industry from throughout the state gathered in Waukesha on December 12, 2008 to participate in WisDOT's 23rd Annual DBE Workshop and Secretary's Awards Program. The one-day program offered attendees a variety of opportunities for networking with peers, information sharing and interaction through specific workshops, discussion groups, and additional events, such as DBE/prime consultants and contractors in "speed-networking activities," as well as panel discussions presented by transportation consultants and contractors.

This year's meeting spotlight theme, "From M-Change to Market Change," featured a session that encapsulated the success gained from the experiences of building the Milwaukee Marquette Interchange with the intention to continue the successful aspects of this project on future WisDOT projects, such as Milwaukee Zoo Interchange, I 94 North/South and US 41 projects. In addition to receiving  information from the WisDOT project management team on future projects, 74 DBE firms and prime contractors that performed work on the Marquette Interchange Project (MIP) were honored with certificates of recognition on their achievement in participating on Wisconsin's first mega project.

The Secretary's Office presented a Team Award for "Exceptional Contribution" on the MIP to the following firms:

1. Arbor Green, Portage, WI
2. Bloom Consultants, Milwaukee, WI
3. Dolson, Inc., Rhinelander, WI
4. Habermehl Electric, Franklin, WI
5. Platt Construction, Franklin, WI
6. Mega Rentals, Madison, WI
7. Milwaukee Ironwork, South Milwaukee, WI

Firms that were named by primes for outstanding performance on the MIP with a "Prime's Choice Awards" include:

1. Arrow Crete Construction, LLC, Milwaukee, WI
2. PJR & Associates, Campbell, IL
3. Edwards Engineering Consultants, Milwaukee, WI

The "Secretary's Golden Shovel Award" was presented to the following individuals and organizations that were instrumental to the success and progress of the DBE program's goals on the MIP. 

1. Adetoye Adeniyi, (former staff)
2. Elisabeth Johnson, (former employee)
3. Kathleen Reed, (former staff)
4. Zignego Company, Inc., (workforce diversity on MIP)
5. Milwaukee General Contractors, (contracting dollar % volume with DBE firms)
6. North East Asphalt, (largest total dollars contracting dollars to DBE firms)
7. Reginald J. Newson (leadership on the MIP as the DBE Program Manager).

Mr. William T. Stark, J.D., from the Federal Highway Administration Wisconsin Division Office, presented WisDOT with a "Civil Rights Partnership Award" in recognition of the successful establishment of the Marquette Interchange Project Committee that addressed civil rights issues and solutions in the success of this project. (photos)