DBE CONTRACTING UPDATE

News for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms and stakeholders

July 2008

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US 41 project creating opportunities

Three years ago Lori King was looking for a way to earn a paycheck while spending more time at home with her kids. To make that happen she took a chance, starting her own business, Lori King Trucking LLC, based in Black Creek, Wisconsin. "I started out with one truck in 2005. I now have three. In fact I just bought one last week."

King says her young firm is experiencing growing success, in part because she is certified under WisDOT's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program that helps to level the playing field for minority and female-owned businesses looking to win work with the department. "It has helped get my name out there," said King.

This past June her firm was hired to do work as a subcontractor on a half million dollar raze and removal contract in Winnebago County connected to what is expected to be the largest road construction project ever to be undertaken in northeast Wisconsin: the US 41 corridor expansion project in Brown and Winnebago counties.

"My firm will haul away construction debris. My share of the contract is $43,000."

The contract awarded to the prime contractor, R&R Wash Materials, on June 24 was for $552,853.00. It's the first significant contract issued for construction on the US 41 project, but in the days, months, and years ahead, many more will follow.

For the last two years WisDOT has been reaching out across the US 41 region and the state to businesses like King's, spreading word of the DBE program. The department is trying to initiate a dialogue with disadvantaged businesses and minority workers about their opportunity to claim a share of the hundreds of millions of dollars this mega-projects seven-year construction schedule requires. The US 41 project will add a lane to 31 miles of freeway, upgrade 16 interchanges and install 45 roundabouts to accommodate the region's growing traffic demands through 2035.

New tribal sub-committee helps in efforts

The US 41 DBE Advisory Committee, led by Kevin Chesnik, Administrator of WisDOT's Division of Transportation System Development, plays the lead role in the education and outreach. "Our goal is to involve the community and encourage business growth and development on the US 41 project," said Colleen Harris, DBE Liaison for WisDOT's Northeast Region.

Along with the advisory committee, three sub-committees are at work:

• A business development sub-committee represents contractor organizations, elected officials, the federal government, and WisDOT. This group will recommend DBE goals on a contract-by-contract basis, analyze the potential for DBE involvement, and advise on policy issues to the secretary's office. WisDOT Tribal Liaison Gwen Carr heads this committee and serves as the US 41 DBE Project Manager.
• A labor development sub-committee led by Kitty Reed, a WisDOT Civil Rights & Labor Compliance supervisor, is also at work. Made up of management level key stakeholders from industry, government, labor, and the community, its members will review issues affecting the equitable workforce participation of women and minorities. The group will also recommend strategies and assess labor/workforce participation in reaching DBE goals.
• A tribal sub-committee is helping to raise the level of awareness and involvement on the part of Wisconsin's Indian tribes. One of the goals is to assist Indian businesses both on and off the reservation, so they can become DBE certified. Chad Waukechon, an administrator at the College of Menominee Nation, chairs this sub-committee.

The tribal sub-committee is a new initiative in the DBE process. It wasn't in place during the Marquette Interchange project, but is expected to play a large role in education and recruitment during the US 41 project. Numerous tribes such as the Oneida, Menominee, Stockbridge-Munsee, and Potawatomi are located close to the construction corridor. Chad Waukechon says 39 Indian businesses certified as DBE's have been identified within the region. The chair of the tribal sub-committee estimates 40% of those firms could play a role in construction.

"It's exciting to be part of relationship building and we are excited to be part of the process. This is a new opportunity for the tribes and we are still very early in the discovery process," said Waukechon.

July 24 meeting will highlight raze and removal opportunity

As contract opportunities arise on US 41, the project team is taking additional steps to support opportunities for DBE firms. On July 24, WisDOT will hold a pre-bid meeting in advance of an August 12 contract letting for the razing and removal of eight parcels in Winnebago County. The pre-bid meeting, which is mandatory for any firms wishing to bid as a prime contractor, will take place at 10:00 am at the WisDOT Northeast Region office, 944 Vanderperren Way in Green Bay. At the meeting, DBE firms looking for work as prime contractors and/or sub-contractors will have a chance to network with other firms in the razing/removal industry.

While Lori King's firm has been DBE certified since 2006 and she understands the program, she plans to keep a closer eye on the outreach efforts of the US 41 DBE Advisory Committee. She knows that not doing so could cost her company new business - and in the years ahead, the US 41 project will create millions of dollars in new opportunities.

"People see my trucks heading down the road and give me a call. The DBE program gets my name out there," said King.