MnDOT Business Contracting
About the measures
MnDOT’s Office of Civil Rights administers programs designed to assist socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses in contracting opportunities on MnDOT projects. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program was established by the federal government to ensure women- and minority-owned businesses can participate in contracts financed in whole in part by the US Department of Transportation. The measure represents the federal dollars awarded to DBE contractors in each federal fiscal year. The Veteran-Owned Small Business Program provides increased access to state-funded contracting opportunities.
Where we want to go
MnDOT works to ensure that traditionally underserved communities understand the opportunities in highway construction available through this program. MnDOT has identified achievement of DBE goals as a key component of earning customer trust. The 2022-24 target for DBE program awards as a share of MnDOT-administered federal funding was 12.2%.
On a contract, the veteran-owned small business participation goal is a percentage of the contract that is targeted for firms to perform on the project. The Office of Civil Rights evaluates each proposal for TGB and Vet participation goals on state funded MnDOT projects or contracts before the project is advertised. The participation goal considers the location, scopes of work to be performed and availability of certified firms.