Wisconsin Department of TransportationDBE CONTRACTING UPDATE

News for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms and stakeholders

March 2009

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Economic Recovery Funds Provide Statewide Opportunities

Recovery symbolThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is providing Wisconsin with many opportunities to create jobs, address challenges, and bring the nation back to economic health. The Act includes provisions to make unprecedented investments in Wisconsin's transportation infrastructure. These investments bring opportunities for businesses and workers throughout Wisconsin, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms.

Governor Jim Doyle worked quickly to obtain legislative approval to move forward with spending $300 million of the economic recovery funds on 47 state highway, bridge and transportation enhancement projects. These projects will start this construction season.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is working to get the projects underway. Three special letting dates have been established for the state projects, as well as local highway and bridge projects. The special letting dates are April 28, May 27 and June 23, 2009.

WisDOT will use some of the successful techniques employed on the Marquette Interchange project to achieve significant DBE shares and minority labor hours on the state projects being let. This includes:

  • Looking for opportunities to "unbundle" contracts to maximize the number of competitive bids on projects.

  • Launching an aggressive "bulls-eye" marketing initiative to enhance communication and ensure that DBE and other small businesses are aware of contract opportunities.

  • Hosting contracting workshops and pre-bid meetings to share information and enhance networking between contractors and potential sub-contractors.

All normal prequalification and other established procedures and deadlines apply to the economic recovery projects.

Additional information about the economic recovery projects is posted on WisDOT's Web site. Also, remember to frequently check the department's Highway Construction Contract Information Web page for advertisements and letting schedules.

Contact DBE staff with further questions or concerns. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the largest transportation construction season in state history.