Comments accepted through Dec. 15

Contractors, trade and labor organizations, small and disadvantaged businesses and all others who may be interested in working with the Washington State Department of Transportation are invited to comment on the agency’s proposed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goal for Federal Highway Administration contracts.

DBE goals for transportation projects that receive federal funds represent a percentage of the value of work in which minority- and women-owned businesses should participate. WSDOT is proposing a 19 percent overall DBE participation goal on Federal Highway Administration-funded projects for federal fiscal years 2018 through 2020.

Once submitted to FHWA early next year, the goal will be effective through Sept. 30, 2020.

The purpose of the 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.

Connecting with communities WSDOT will host a series of public meetings to provide opportunities for individuals to comment in person:

Spokane

2 – 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28

WSDOT Eastern Region Headquarters

2714 N Mayfair St., Spokane

Vancouver

2 – 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29

WSDOT Vancouver Headquarters

11018 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver

Seattle

2 – 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7

WSDOT Northwest Region Headquarters

15700 Dayton Ave. N, Shoreline

Other ways to provide comment Those who are unable to attend one of the meetings can participate in a no-cost webinar from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. Registration for the webinar is required. Those interested in participating should email DisparityStudy@wsdot.wa.gov.

Written comments can also be submitted by mail or email: Jackie Bayne, Policy & Reporting Manager Washington State Department of Transportation Office of Equal Opportunity P.O. Box 47314 Olympia, WA 98504-7314 DisparityStudy@wsdot.wa.gov

Documents detailing the methodology used for determining the FHWA DBE goals 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/.

WSDOT will consider all written comments received through Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.

WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.com/traffic/ or by dialing 511.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Accommodation requests for people with disabilities can be made by contacting the WSDOT Diversity/ADA Affairs team at wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling toll-free, 855-362-4ADA (4232). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington State Relay at 711.

Title VI Statement to Public: It is WSDOT’s policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin or sex, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its federally funded programs and activities. Any person who believes his or her Title VI protection has been violated may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equal Opportunity. For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OEO’s Title VI Coordinator at 360-705-7090.