Washington DOT to hold a roundtable for minority and women contractors on April 27, 2010

WSDOT and FHWA to hold a community roundtable for minority and women contractors

Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Contact:

Jackie Bayne, WSDOT Office of Equal Opportunity, 360-705-7084, or toll-free 1-888-259-9143

OLYMPIA – Minority and women-owned businesses that desire to work on state transportation construction projects are encouraged to join Washington State Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration officials, along with state lawmakers for a community roundtable in Shoreline.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, April 27, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Shoreline City Hall Council Chambers, 17500 Midvale Avenue, Shoreline, WA.

The community roundtable is an opportunity for minority and women contractors to voice concerns and discuss barriers to participating on WSDOT construction projects. The goal of the roundtable is to bring all parties together to find solutions.

Topics that will be covered during the roundtable include:

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals
• Barriers to participation
• DBE support services program
• U.S. Department of Transportation’s bonding assistance program
• WSDOT’s DBE plan
• Upcoming projects
• DBE certification

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) is a program intended to increase the opportunities for minority and women-owned small businesses to participate in federally-funded projects. WSDOT provides training and business support services to help DBEs become successful in doing business with the agency.

The roundtable is free of charge, however space is limited and reservations are required by Friday, April 23. To reserve a spot, call toll-free 1-888-259-9143 or e-mail dbess@wsdot.wa.gov.

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