WSDOT Workshops to Review DBE Changes

Editor’s Note: The following information is provided by WSDOT; scroll down for dates and locations of workshops in Fife Vancouver and Spokane as well as for details regarding a webinar.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is making significant changes to the process for submitting Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Condition of Award (COA) Goal documentation. Review the (DBE) specifications in the contract you are bidding for changes in the requirements. A partial list of changes is included in this letter.

If you are bidding on a project with a DBE COA Goal failure to submit DBE documentation as required by the specifications will result in your bid being considered nonresponsive and your bid will be rejected.

YOU MUST INCLUDE IN YOUR BID:

1. A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Utilization Certification (WSDOT Form #272-056 EF) which demonstrates how you will meet the DBE COA Goal. To assist you in selecting DBE firms WSDOT and OMWBE have created a Directory of Certified DBE Firms available at: http://www.omwbe.wa.gov/certification/index.shtml (see Directory of Certified DBE Firms in the blue box on the left side of the page). This directory provides a “WSDOT COA Work Description” for each DBE firm. The “Description of Work” on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Utilization Certification must be consistent with the “WSDOT COA Work Description” in the Directory of Certified DBE Firms or your bid will be rejected.

2. You must submit a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Written Confirmation Document for each DBE listed on your Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Utilization Certification. WSDOT has created Form # 422-031 EF for this purpose. Required information has been added to this form therefore use of an earlier version of the form may result in bid rejection. The “Description of Work” and “Amount to be Applied Towards Goal” listed the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Written Confirmation Document must match the “Description of Work” and “Amount to be Applied Towards Goal” listed on your Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Utilization Certification or your bid will be rejected.

3. You must submit Good Faith Effort (GFE) Documentation with your proposal in addition to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Utilization Certification ONLY IN THE EVENT your efforts to solicit sufficient DBE participation have been unsuccessful.

WSDOT will conduct a number of workshops to provide detailed information about the changes to the DBE COA Goal documentation and procedures. If you would like to learn more please attend one of the following workshops:

Fife AGC Classroom
3601 20th St E
Fife WA 98424
6/21/11 - 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Vancouver Reception
11018 NE 51st Circle
Vancouver WA 98682
6/23/11 - 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Spokane Conference Room
2714 N Mayfair Street
Spokane WA 99207
6/28/11 - 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

If you plan to attend one of these workshops you must RSVP to DOTconstruction@wsdot.wa.gov no later than the day prior to the workshop. Please provide your name in the e-mail as well as which workshop you plan to attend.

If you cannot attend one of the scheduled workshops WSDOT invites you attend a webinar being held on June 22 2011 at 2 p.m. To login to the webinar go to: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/ojoin/930600857/842058

When the Webinar begins you will be connected to audio using your computer’s speakers. You will need speakers or headphones to hear the broadcast. Be sure to turn on your computer’s sound. After the presentation staff will be available to answer questions from participants. We anticipate the entire presentation will take about an hour and a half. Please e-mail DOTconstruction@wsdot.wa.gov and we will send you any updates about the webinar.

WSDOT has posted a copy of our training materials on our website which is available at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/biz/construction/ see “Construction News.”

The Directory of Certified DBE Firms is available at: http://www.omwbe.wa.gov/certification/index.shtml

See “Directory of Certified DBE Firms” under “Certification.”

WSDOT Forms (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Utilization Certification - Form # 272-056 EF and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Written Confirmation Document - Form # 422-031 EF) are available at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/forms/

Note the form # to easily locate the form.

Office of Equal Opportunity: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/equalopportunity

Contract Ad & Award: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/biz/contaa/

If you are bidding on a contract with a DBE COA Goal be sure you read and understand the new process which is explained in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Condition of Award Participation General Special Provision for the specific project that you are bidding.