Eileen Oliver
DMWBE Program Supervisor
360-705-7089
OliverE@wsdot.wa.gov
Vacant
DMWBE Contract Compliance Officer
360-705-7084
John Huff
DMWBE Contract Compliance Officer
360-705-7010
HuffJ@wsdot.wa.gov
Fatema Aboutalep
DMWBE Contract Compliance Specialist
360-705-7092
AboutaF@wsdot.wa.gov
References:
The Disadvantaged Minority and Women's Business Enterprise (DMWBE) Unit administers the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and the Washington State’s Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program. The purpose of the DBE program is to ensure a level playing field and foster equal opportunity for firms owned and operated by disadvantaged individuals on USDOT-assisted contracts and procurements. The purpose of the MWBE program is to provide maximum practicable opportunity for firms owned and operated by minorities and women in public works projects and procurement.
The primary functions of this unit include:
- Setting Condition of Award (COA) or Voluntary goals on applicable projects.
- Assist the construction office in the administration of project advertising and awards as it relates to DMWBE participation.
- Monitoring DMWBE participation levels on contracts.
- Conducting Commercially Useful Function (CUF) reviews of DBE subcontractors and contract compliance reviews of prime contractors and DBE subcontractors on WSDOT USDOT-assisted contracts.
- Providing assistance in resolving DBE compliance disputes and complaints.
- Providing program guidance to Regional EEO Officers and Project Engineers.
- Providing DMWBE program training for WSDOT personnel, local agencies, contractors, and other interested parties.
- Monitoring the administration of consultant contracts as it relates to equal opportunity and the participation levels of DMWBE firms.
- Assisting in the management of certification and supportive services contracts and in conducting program management reviews.
In order to fulfill its responsibilities for properly certifying firms as DBEs, WSDOT has an Interagency Agreement with the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) to provide certification and recertification of eligible firms wishing to participate or continue to participate on USDOT-assisted projects and procurements as DBE firms. OMWBE also conducts on-site certification reviews prior to the issuance of DBE certification for all firms applying for DBE status. As a result of a third party challenge or complaint, following the normal administrative process, OMWBE can also deny, render a firm ineligible, or administratively close a firm’s DBE status in accordance with USDOT regulations. The ECRB Manager monitors the performance of this function.
DBE Certification Information
Cynthia Cooper
Director
360-753-9679 (Ext. 105)
cynthiac@omwbe.wa.gov
Cathy Canorro
Certification Manager
360-704-1187 (Ext. 107)
ccanorro@omwbe.wa.gov
Leslie Ling
DBE Specialist
360-704-1193 (Ext. 113)
lesliel@omwbe.wa.gov
JeNais Radabaugh
DBE Specialist
360-704-1191 (Ext. 111)
genaisr@omwbe.wa.gov
DBE Supportive Services
Clarence Gillis
Program Manager
360-704-1188 (Ext. 108)
clarenceg@omwbe.wa.gov
WSDOT has also contracted with the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) to provide supportive services for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) program in order to increase the total number of small businesses owned and operated by disadvantaged individuals in the highway program and contribute to the growth and eventual self-sufficiency of these businesses so that they may achieve proficiency to compete, on an equal basis, for contracts and subcontracts.
The ECRB Manager monitors the performance of this function.
The DBE Supportive Services program is designed to contribute to the long-term development, increased opportunities and eventual self-sufficiency of individual DBE firms to that these businesses may achieve proficiency to compete, on an equal basis, for Federal-aid highway program contracts and subcontracts.
Services provided are:
- Pre-qualification and certification assistance
- Technical assistance in the areas of:
- Estimating and bidding
- Record keeping
- Business management and financial accounting
- Other technical assistance
- Obtaining bonding and financial assistance
- Access to highway plans and specifications
- Follow-up services
- Other services designed to contribute to the growth and development of DBE firms engaged in Federal-aid highway program contracts.
Prospective bidders may contact the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) at (360) 753-9693 to obtain information on certified DBE firms, or access the Directory of certified firms through their Web site: http://www.omwbe.wa.gov/
Under the voluntary provisions, Local Agencies, Bidders/Proposers and Contractors are encouraged to:
- Advertise opportunities for subcontractors or suppliers in a manner reasonably designed to provide DBE's and other small businesses capable of performing the work with timely notice of such opportunities. All advertising should include a provision encouraging participation by DBE firms. Advertising may be done through general advertisement (e.g., newspapers, journals, etc.) or by soliciting bid/proposals directly from DBE's and other small businesses.
- Provide DBEs and other small businesses that express interest with adequate and timely information about plans, specifications, and requirements of the contract. Break down total requirements into smaller tasks or quantities, where economically feasible, in order to permit maximum opportunity for participation by DBE's and other small businesses.
- Utilize the services of available minority community organizations, minority contractor groups, local minority assistance offices and organizations that provide assistance in the recruitment and placement of DBE's and other small businesses. WSDOT’s DBE Supportive Services consultant, located at the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) may provide supportive services for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). Contact Cathy Canorro at 360-704-1187.
- Establish delivery schedules, where requirements of the contract permit, that encourage participation by DBE's and other small businesses.
The actions described in this section should supplement efforts to provide information to all qualified firms and nothing in this section is intended to prevent or discourage the Bidders/Proposers/Contractors from inviting proposals for participation from non-DBE firms as well as DBE firms.