OLYMPIA – Contractors, trade and labor organizations, small and disadvantaged businesses and all others who may be interested in working with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) are invited to comment on the agency’s proposed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for Federal Highway Administration contracts.
DBE goals for transportation projects that receive federal funds represent a percentage of the value of work in which minority- and women-owned businesses should participate. WSDOT is proposing a 19 percent overall DBE participation goal on Federal Highway Administration-funded projects for federal fiscal years 2018 through 2020.
Once submitted to FHWA early next year, the goal will be effective through Sept. 30, 2020.
The purpose of the DBE 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.
WSDOT will host a series of public meetings to provide opportunities for individuals to comment in person: Spokane, 2 – 4 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 28 at WSDOT Eastern Region Headquarters – 2714 N Mayfair St., Spokane; Vancouver, 2 – 4 p.m. Weds., Nov. 29 at WSDOT Vancouver Headquarters – 11018 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver; Seattle, 2 – 4 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 7 at WSDOT Northwest Region Headquarters – 15700 Dayton Ave. N, Shoreline.
Other Ways To Provide Comment
Those who are unable to attend one of the meetings can participate in a no-cost webinar from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. Registration for the webinar is required. Those interested in participating should email DisparityStudy@wsdot.wa.gov.
Written comments can also be submitted by mail or email: Jackie Bayne, Policy & Reporting Manager, Washington State Department of Transportation, Office of Equal Opportunity, P.O. Box 47314, Olympia, WA 98504-7314 or emailed to DisparityStudy@wsdot.wa.gov.
Documents detailing the methodology used for determining the FHWA DBE goals are available for review at all WSDOT region headquarters offices and at the Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Ave. SE, Olympia. They are also available online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/equalopportunity/.
WSDOT will consider all written comments received through Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.
