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Public Invited to Learn about new WSDOT's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Proposal

WSDOT to host informational meetings March 26, 27

OLYMPIA – Contractors, trade and labor organizations, small and disadvantaged businesses and others who might be interested in working with the Washington State Department of Transportation are invited to attend an upcoming informational session to learn about proposed changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.

WSDOT is seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to adjust the DBE program to help improve inclusion of African American owned firms on agency construction and consulting contracts. In 2017, WSDOT completed a disparity study which showed that African American owned businesses are significantly underutilized in agency contracting activities compared to other socially and economically disadvantaged groups within the DBE program. If approved, prime contractors would earn four times the DBE goal credit for including a firm owned and controlled by an African American.

Connecting with communities The purpose of this meeting is to provide an overview of the 2017 DBE program disparity study results, explain the reason for the proposed changes, and share information on how to submit comments. All comments regarding the waiver will be considered prior to submitting a final proposal to the USDOT. Written comments on the proposal will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, April 20.

Seattle

When: 4 – 6 p.m. Monday, March 26

Where: South Seattle College, Georgetown Campus, Room C110/111, 6737 Corson Avenue South, Seattle

Details: Parking permits available inside

Spokane

When: 4 – 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 27

Where: Spokane County Conference Room, 2714 North. Mayfair Street, Spokane

Details: First floor of the engineering building.

Webinar

When: 10 – 11:30 a.m., Friday, March 30 RSVP:

Please email BrooksJ@wsdot.wa.gov

Comment in writing: Written comments must be submitted by mail or email to:Jackie Bayne, Policy & Reporting Manager Washington State Department of Transportation Office of Equal Opportunity

P.O. Box 47314, Olympia, WA 98504-7314 BayneJ@wsdot.wa.gov

Documents explaining the proposed changes 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.