1. A Proposal to Increase the Number, Variety and Accessibility of DBE Construction Firms.

2. There is a relatively small pool of bidding DBEs: ~100 WBE & MBE firms actually bid on MNDOT work. 1,000 + construction firms hold one or more certifications. The mean number of certifications is 1.4. The mode is 1 certification. In some scopes there are no DBEs There isn’t a good way to find DBEs that perform the work that needs to be done.

3. Address the perceived barriers directly Target potential DBEs in specific fields & areas Recruit in conjunction with other programs. To quickly increase the number of DBEs, pursue companies that can do the work on MnDOT projects, but are not certified in UCP.

4. Reasons given for not certifying in more programs: 1) too much paperwork (barrier to entry), 2) Not certain that work is available within the program (reduced perception of benefit), 3) Don’t want to be stigmatized by “DBE” label (perception of drawback).

6. Imagine: A Computer System That Requires No Training

7. Imagine: A Computer System That Requires No Training

8. Imagine: A Computer System That Requires No Training

9. Imagine: A Computer System That Requires No Training

13. Comprehensive searchable database of DBE (or all) Mn/DOT contractors. Direct search and solicitation of subcontractors Click-throughs and interface with bidding system provide traceable response of solicited subcontractors

15. 1.5 month: Pilot system in operation. Current DBE info loaded in database. 2 months:First UCP package produced by system Power DBE search operative. 6 months:Doubled pool of bidding DBEs 1 year: Solicitation and click-through operative. 2 years :Fully integrated and proven system