DBE Program Updates New & Improved ASP 3 Small Business Network Michele Carter, DBE Program Chief O FFICE OF B USINESS O PPORTUNITY & E QUITY C OMPLIANCE D IVISION OF TRANSPORTATION S YSTEM D EVELOPMENT

ASP-3 DBE Utilization OLD ASP-3NEW ASP-3 2 pages General ◦ Aggressively solicit ◦ Develop DBE ◦ DBE’s to be identified 10 working days after the notification of contract award Ambiguity ◦ DBE goal on the contract may be reduced by 50% for DBE work in non- traditional construction categories ◦ Counting DBE credit for Suppliers versus Manufacturers at 60% of the expenditure 14 pages, 18 sections, 5 appendixes General Requirements (same) ◦ Integrates 1) TRANS-AC Committee’s Good Faith Effort Guidance 2) Definitions, Regulations, Examples Clarifies 1) Explains WisDOT Expectations 2) Describes Processes 3) Shares WisDOT-Endorsed Resources

New & Improved ASP 3 TRANS-AC Stakeholder Committee GFE Guidance Outlines reciprocal responsibilities of Primes & DBEs Solicitation Letter- ◦ DBE Interest query requires responsiveness ◦ Prime’s preference for format and content of quotes Discuss DBE capabilities in the context of credited work areas Tied quotes evaluation ◦ Comparison of common bid items ◦ Review quotes to compare competitive advantage Appeal Process ◦ Written rebuttal based on ITD ◦ Option for in-person discussion with OBOEC Director

New & Improved ASP 3 Explains Expectations N OTEWORTHY S ECTIONS ◦ Definitions ◦ DBE Percentage at Bid Submission ◦ Criteria for Good Faith Effort ◦ Bidder’s Appeal Process ◦ Contract Modifications R EFERENCES ◦ Trucking Policy ◦ DBE Replacement policy ◦ WisDOT Forms: DT1506, DT 1202 A SSISTING DBE FIRMS 1.Explain measures for successful partnering 2.Understanding what’s applicable to their work with you ◦ Highway Plans ◦ Contract Specifications & Requirements ◦ Reporting Requirements

New & Improved ASP 3 Describes Processes Counting/Crediting DBE ParticipationDBE GFE Evaluation ProcessBidder’s Appeal Process

New & Improved ASP 3 WisDOT-Endorsed Resources DBE Program Regulation UCP Directory CRCS Solicitation letter template SBN Appendices A. Sample Contractor Solicitation Letter B. Best Practices of Primes & DBE Subcontractor Good Faith Effort C. Types of Efforts considered for in determining Good Faith D. Good Faith Effort Evaluation Guidance E. Small Business Network [SBN] Overview Preferred Tools

WisDOT Started investigating Bidx SBN option WisDOT Started investigating Bidx SBN option DBESS Office pilot tested SBN Info Tech/Bidx developers used WisDOT’s user feedback for field tests generating SBN feature and function enhancements SBN Implementation Timeline TRANS-AC {Prime & DBE Contractor ‘Test Users’} endorse SBN’s utility WisDOT sought & awarded federal funding for SBN accounts No cost to DBE owners WisDOT sought & awarded federal funding for SBN accounts No cost to DBE owners Continued No Cost SBN Orientation/Education

WisDOT DBESS SBN Overview SBN for DBE Quoting Bid Express for Electronic Bidding

WisDOT DBESS SBN Overview Trans-AC formed its SBN Sub-committee ◦ Monitors and promotes SBN usage ◦ Initiates SBN training ◦ Provides periodic user feedback to InfoTech ◦ Recommended SBN utilization be mandatory  Agreed that SBN be included in ASP-3 to codify and endorse its use ◦ Endorses SBN as the preferred tool for  Conveying items of work that may be subcontracted  Initial solicitation for DBE sub-quotes  Exchange of solicitation letters  Project information sharing

WisDOT DBESS SBN Overview WisDOT DBE Office coordinated SBN trainings for both prime and DBE users Training includes: ◦ WisDOT Conference/Workshop overview sessions; ◦ Hands-on, group training at computer labs statewide; ◦ Webinars: users participate from their office computers Next Webinar: Tuesday, February 19, 2012

Other News Federal DBE Regulations are being updated more frequently ◦ Driven by ARRA-related audits and GAO recommendations ◦ NPRM Comment period concluded December 24 th ◦ Final rulings take 3 – 6 months to be published TRANS-AC is initiating a Labor Compliance Subcommittee to tackle “practical guide” for Prevailing wage enforcement