FFY2005 BENEFITS FOR SMALL, DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Supportive Services Program, an auxiliary of the USDOT DBE Program, is designed to assist disadvantaged business owners in developing and promoting their businesses in the transportation construction industry. It was created by the U.S. Department of Transportation and is administered by the Idaho Transportation Department, with the funding & oversight of the Federal Highway Administration.

Professional & Technical Skills Development

50% Training Reimbursement With pre-approval from DBE Supportive Services, DBEs independently pursuing professional, technical or management skills training may receive 50% reimbursement of registration and materials fees — even related traveling expenses — up to $300 per federal fiscal year. (This offer is also open to the firm's key staff.)

Marketing Allowance DBEs also have a $250 reimbursement allowance for marketing-related expenses such as advertising, graphic design/printing, website design/publishing, promotional giveaways, mass mailings, etc.

Hardware/Software Rebates DBEs may apply for up to $100 in rebates for costs connected to the purchase of computer software or hardware, to include system upgrades.

Professional Membership Rebates DBEs can apply for up to $200 in professional, technical and trade membership rebates (limited to DBE owners only).

One-on-One Counseling & Assistance Upon referral from the DBE Supportive Services Coordinator, DBEs may set up individual appointments with DBE Supportive Services' contracted consultants for coaching in contract bidding, negotiation, project management and cost accounting.

DBE Lending Library Firms may borrow from a library of videos, audiotapes, books & publications. Topics include highway construction safety, equipment operation, contracting practices, bidding & negotiation, customer service, and other topics.

Procurement Opportunity Identification

ITD Non-Bidder Plans & Specifications DBEs planning to bid on any ITD project as a subcontractor may obtain a set of plans & specifications at no charge from DBE Supportive Services.

ITD Plan Holders Lists  By request, DBE Supportive Services can fax weekly plan holder lists to DBEs (who are without Internet access) until bid date. DBEs with Internet access are encouraged to visit on-line for daily updates.

Invitations to Bid Plan sets issued by DBE Supportive Services enclose invitations to bid from prime contractors (when available). Invitations to bid for both ITD & non-ITD projects are also published on the on-line "Invitation to Bid" Bulletin Board and in the monthly DBE newsletters (time permitting). 

Annual Memberships to the Idaho Business Network DBE Supportive Services covers membership fees in the Idaho Business Network (IBN), a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) whose extensive procurement opportunity database includes federal, state & private bid notices. The IBN provides members with daily bid matches in whatever field of work & geographical area they specify. Other IBN benefits include assistance with interpreting Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), military and federal standards & specifications; the "Directory of Buyers," which lists buyers & purchasing agents for federal & state agencies and large corporations; workshops & seminars; and more. (Available to Idaho Firms only; however, the membership rebate benefit may be used for out-of-state PTAC fees.)

Non-ITD Project Listings DBE Supportive Services publishes project notices from outside the Idaho Transportation Department, compiled from an extensive variety of sources, in its monthly DBE newsletters. Updated listings also may be provided upon request.

USDOT Bonding & Short-Term Loans

Assistance with USDOT Bonding Program Applications DBE Supportive Services offers DBEs assistance with applying for the USDOT Bonding Program, which is designed to assist DBEs in obtaining bid, payment & performance bonds for transportation-related projects. It provides an 80% guarantee against losses on contracts up to $1 million. Sureties (The Bond Shop is the authorized surety for the western states) perform bond approval & issuance.

Assistance with USDOT Short-Term Lending Program Applications DBE Supportive Services also offers DBEs assistance with applying for the USDOT Short-Term Lending Program (STLP), which provides certified DBEs with short-term working capital at prime interest rates for transportation-related projects. These loans provide revolving lines of credit to finance accounts receivable; the primary collateral consists of the proceeds of the contracts.

Publications  

Monthly DBE Newsletters These contain informative articles on resources available to DBEs & small businesses, outside training opportunities, DBE contracting goals, important government regulations affecting small businesses, Invitations to Bid from prime contractors, and much more.

DBE Directories  A listing of DBEs is printed each quarter for prime contractors & consultants, other government agencies, corporations, and many other recipients. These directories, which are an excellent marketing resource for DBEs, are also available on-line (updated monthly), and in other formats as requested.

Idaho Transportation Standard Specifications for Highway Construction Guide Normally $30 per copy, these are provided free to DBE firms.