Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (2019) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 109-132
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From page 109... ...
109 Introduction and Methodology Keen Independent Research LLC examined business assistance and best practices by state DOTs and their partners that promote success of DBE-certified firms and identified what state DOTs believe are key factors to those firms' success. Interviewees were state DOT representatives from 17 states.
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From page 110... ...
110 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program she said, "These are established companies that have relationships, do good and perform the types of work that Montana needs." She added that many of the people who started these firms "were already working in the industry and known in the industry." • When asked about the DBEs successful at obtaining subcontract work without the help of DBE contract goals, an interviewed representative of the Nebraska DOT stated, "Neither is restricting themselves to a specific work type.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 111 FHWA-funded contracts while tracking "voluntary" DBE participation. She noted that they do not yet have those results.
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112 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • An interviewed representative of the Hawaii DOT reported that the most successful DBEs today, serving as primes and/or subs, are regular participants in HDOT's networking and business-to-business events.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 113 • An interviewed representative of the Nebraska DOT said, "I'm a little more than 2 years in, and I've [realized that] the number one goal [should be]
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114 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • An interviewed representative of the Florida DOT indicated that 13 DBEs had graduated, though she noted it's difficult to know because firms are not required to tell FDOT when they don't renew their certification.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 115 Perceptions About Whether Some DBEs Develop a Business Model to Stay in the Program Some state DOT representatives discussed whether DBEs sometimes develop a business model to stay in the federal DBE Program. A few representatives indicated firsthand knowledge of the practice.
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116 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program provide work such as trucking, rebar, and landscaping.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 117 She commented that "primes are used to using certain firms," and noted, "They are able to build capacity because they are getting opportunities." • Regarding DBEs she knows of that are successful at obtaining work, even with no DBE contract goals, an interviewed representative of the Delaware DOT stated, "Their reputation preceded them. They also performed the job on time, on budget, [and]
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118 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The representative of the Washington, D.C.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 119 When asked if she can think of any DBEs that directly benefited from these services, the same DOT representative said, "Each year we have a DBE summit where we ask a successful DBE to come and be a keynote speaker. Typically, the DBEs that speak are primes." When asked if more or different supportive services would contribute to the success of DBEs, she indicated that it would, and commented, "If there is more to do, then we will try and do it.
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120 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Administration and the College of Southern Maryland.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 121 Many Representatives Discussed Mentor-Protégé Opportunities at Their DOT • Regarding a mentor-protégé program for construction and professional services firms, an interviewed representative of the Minnesota DOT reported that mentors are reimbursed by MnDOT for their provided services, though they often choose not to submit invoices. She noted that this leads to a low-cost program for MnDOT.
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From page 122... ...
122 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program A Few Representatives Reported on Services Offered by Their DOT That Help DBEs with Estimating and Bidding • A representative of the Arkansas DOT, responding to a survey, commented that ARDOT provides business development courses and workshops in basic/advanced plans and specifications, estimating, bidding, work zone safety, and many other topics.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 123 • Responding to a survey, a representative of the Colorado DOT commented that a key to success for DBEs is "access to capital." • An interviewed representative of the Montana DOT said that classes on profit maximizing and other finance-related classes are popular. She added that bonding is a hot topic with DBEs and noted that "they would like more help on [that]
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124 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program with individual companies to help them become prequalified for that work and learn about those opportunities.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 125 • An interviewed representative of the Missouri DOT reported a strong commitment to inclusion and over 10 years of experience implementing programs as primary contributors to MoDOT programs' effectiveness. He reported a "seriousness" to what MoDOT does with facilitating relationship-building as a primary goal.
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From page 126... ...
126 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • An interviewed representative of the Missouri DOT reported that they support more established and successful DBEs by offering an advanced contractor training program.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 127 compete for the many bridge-related projects, and commented, "On the smaller projects, DBE primes can compete and win." • An interviewed representative of the Wisconsin DOT reported that WISDOT does not currently have a small contracts program for small businesses, but commented, "I would love to do [that] ." A Few Representatives Noted That Unbundling Large Contracts Contributes to DBEs' Success • An interviewed representative of the Montana DOT said that unbundling contracts is important to the advancement of successful DBEs.
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128 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • A representative of the California DOT, responding to a survey, reported that they have plans to offer subcontractor training workshops, a mentoring program, and other outreach programs in all 12 Caltrans districts to inform DBEs about Caltrans projects.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 129 Unneeded or Underutilized Supportive Services Programs A few state DOT representatives commented on programs or supportive services offered by the DOT not often utilized by DBEs. For example: • An interviewed representative of the New Hampshire DOT stated, "It's much different to get people to come to training .
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From page 130... ...
130 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • Regarding whether or not DBE goals contribute to DBEs' success, an interviewed representative of the Hawaii DOT reported that DBEs only get work when goals are in place.
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Qualitative Information from Surveys and In-Depth Interviews with State DOTs 131 businesses. One of the negative impacts of the current rules, she added, is that companies are barred from competing as a prime for an on-call contract if they are a sub on another team.
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132 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Two Representatives Suggested That the DBE Program Implement an "End Date" or "Time Limit" for Firms' Participation • Regarding how his state's DOT could improve its operation of the federal DBE Program, an interviewed representative of the Nebraska DOT stated, "[There]
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