DBE CONTRACTING UPDATE

News for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms and stakeholders

November 2008

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US 41 Corridor Outreach Office opens 

Inside an office building on Green Bay's west side, WisDOT is breaking new ground as it forges a first-time partnership with the Oneida Nation in creating a satellite office dedicated to reaching out to DBE firms.

"This has never been done before," said Gwen Carr, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Outreach manager for WisDOT's NE Region. "I'm talking about this kind of partnership between any state transportation department and an American Indian Tribe."

In early November, the US 41 Project Outreach Office formally opened its doors. The building houses DBE outreach, training and technical assistance efforts for the US 41 Corridor Expansion Project in Brown and Winnebago counties, a six-year push to improve 31 miles of freeway. The goal of WisDOT and office staff is to develop disadvantaged construction-related businesses into experienced road builders, by finding work these firms can bid on, among the million dollar mega contracts.

"The US 41 Corridor Expansion Project is creating huge opportunities for DBEs," said Carr. "From this office in fiscal 2009, we'll be unbundling $65 million in contracts."

WisDOT staff are leading the outreach efforts, assisted by Oneida Total Integrated Enterprises (OTIE), a tribally owned engineering and contract management firm. The new partnership was formed through a recently signed intergovernmental agreement. "This is a huge success in government-to-government relations, " said Pat Marchese of OTIE. "The partnership fits our business plan perfectly."

Office staff will offer a variety of training and technical assistance:

• Plan reading, responding to bids for service, bonding and construction management;
• One-on-one technical assistance;
• Obtaining/maintaining DBE Certification; and
• Free plan reading rooms and access to computer workstation.

The office is located at 100 N. Packerland Drive in Green Bay. For more information call (920) 492-5696.

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