Category: Development

Washington State Department of Transportation – NEWS

Headquarters – 310 Maple Park Avenue SE – Olympia, WA 98504-7314 – 360 705-7000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July, 2023

Contact: Nina Jones, Office of Equal Opportunity, 360-947-6788

Proposed interim overall triennium goal methodology for under-represented firms

WSDOT to host virtual public meetings and teleconferences July 25 and August 1

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation is proposing an interim overall triennium goal methodology, for disadvantaged business participation, on all federally funded projects and is accepting written comments on the proposals through Tuesday, August 15.

The proposed interim goal methodologies are available at:

• FHWA Overall DBE Goal Methodology FFY 2024-2026
• FAA Overall DBE Goal Methodology FFY 2024-2026

Please note that the overall triennium goal set forth in this methodology, which remains 19%, will continue until the completion of our current disparity study estimated to be completed in Fall of 2023. The goal is for Federal Fiscal Years 2024-2026.

A new methodology will be drafted, vetted and WSDOT will revise the current triennium goal and once again allow opportunity for public comment.

The purpose of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program is to create a level playing field for firms owned and operated by disadvantaged individuals wanting to participate in federally assisted highway, transit, and aviation programs. To qualify as a DBE, a firm must be a for-profit business that is at least 51 percent owned by an individual or individuals who are women, part of a federally recognized racial minority group, or otherwise socially and economically disadvantaged. Qualifying firms must be certified by the Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises to participate in the DBE program.

WSDOT is inviting contractors, labor and trade organizations, small and disadvantaged businesses, and others interested in working with the agency to attend one of its upcoming informational meetings regarding the proposed goal methodology.

WSDOT has scheduled two public meetings to take comments, both from 2 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25 and Tuesday, August 1. These meetings will be held in person and via teleconference. Individuals interested in attending need to register in advance by emailing Nina Jones at jonesni@wsdot.wa.gov.

Details about how to participate will be provided upon registering.

Comments on the proposed interim methodology will be accepted until 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, and can be mailed to:

Nina Jones

Business Diversity and Inclusion Manager

WSDOT, Office of Equity and Civil Rights

P.O. Box 47314

Olympia, WA 98504-7314

Or submitted via email to:  jonesni@wsdot.wa.gov.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state’s transportation systems. To learn more about what we’re doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news, and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.com/traffic/ or by dialing 511.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information

Accommodation requests for people with disabilities can be made by contacting the WSDOT Diversity/ADA Affairs team at wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling toll-free, 855-362-4ADA (4232). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington State Relay at 711.

Title VI Statement to Public: It is WSDOT’s policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its federally funded programs and activities. Any person who believes his or her Title VI protection has been violated may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equal Opportunity. For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OEO’s Title VI Coordinator at 360-705-7090.

Weeks one through five included in-depth engagement sessions and workshops highlighting topics such as, financial health, strategic communications and even a Regional Contracting Forum where participants got to engage with Corporate and Public Agencies. Other sessions included a business plan builder and infrastructure design panels covering accounting, legal and banking relationships. After the first 5 weeks of programming, the majority of the cohort associates have reported the beneficial growth of their organization in some form. Some of the cohort associates have reported winning new contracts, building new relationships, and exploring partnerships with their cohort peers.

“My experience with the Port of Seattle Business Accelerator Program to date has been great, affording the opportunity to learn from others as well as make meaningful networking connections. We are already partnering with one of my fellow cohort members!”

-Edward Buyers, Partner and Lead Consulting, ONIT Management Consulting

“The Business Accelerator has been a wealth of information and incredible networking opportunity– I look forward to improving our sales/ marketing approach to scale our material/ equipment procurement logistics services.” 

 -David Molina, Founder & CEO at Molinas Construction Company

During the remaining weeks the associates can expect more learning opportunities and engaging sessions such as, the general contracting panel, marketing collateral design workshop and additional learning sessions. These challenging sessions are bolstered with the help and leadership of mentors plus the willingness of cohort associates to accept feedback. The Council in collaboration with the Port of Seattle thank the 50+ individuals and companies that have contributed to the success of the 2022 Port of Seattle Business Accelerator Program.

Join us on Wednesday, November 16th for the Business Accelerator Graduation Ceremony as the Council and Port of Seattle celebrate the completion of the 2022 Programming!