OLYMPIA – A recent statewide airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) disparity study is now complete and findings will be presented during a series of informational meetings being held in cities across the state. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will host the meetings and invites those who participated in the study or have interest in working with Washington state airports to attend.
The study evaluated contracting data for projects at 64 airports in Washington state to determine whether disadvantaged businesses have equal access to airport project contracts. The purpose of the federal 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. The disparity study provides Washington airports a legally defensible foundation for their DBE program and makes recommendations for improvements.
The study does not focus on WSDOT, but instead encompasses all Federal Aviation Administration-funded airport construction and consulting projects in the state.
WSDOT will host a series of public meetings to present the study findings and answer questions:
Seattle – Thurs., Dec. 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at South Seattle Community College, Georgetown Campus 6737 Corson Ave. S., Seattle.
Spokane – Tues., Dec. 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at WSDOT Eastern Region Headquarters, 2714 N. Mayfair St., Spokane.
Yakima – Thurs., Dec. 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at WSDOT South Central Region, 2809 Rudkin Road, Union Gap.
Study documents are available online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/equalopportunity/.
For more information contact: Jackie Bayne, Policy & Reporting manager, Washington State Department of Transportation, Office of Equal Opportunity, P.O. Box 47314, Olympia, WA 98504-7314 or email DisparityStudy@wsdot.wa.gov.
