Classes begin every January. 

Applications:  DBE Supportive Services Enrollment Application

 

IF YOUR BUSINESS IS CURRENTLY DBE CERTIFIED YOU’LL NEED TO KNOW

MoDOT has added MORE services and programming to the MoDOT DBE Supportive Services Program for your benefit.

Let’s look at the services in more detail.

 

Entrepreneurship Training Program

The MoDOT Supportive Services Entrepreneurial Training Program assists 24 DBE firm owners [per year] anticipating future success in building specific and measurable business skills.

Program training modules can include the following: Sizing Up Your Business Environment and Opportunities; Making Strategic and Financial Decisions; Strengthening the Product/Service; Seizing the Market; Leading the Organization; Managing for Growth; Charting Financial Performance; and Making it Happen. 

Classes are offered via a hybrid format or virtual group, in an Executive Roundtable cohort, followed by individualized one- on-one sessions tailored to each DBE firm.

 

DBE Design Build Networking Events - NEW

One of the many opportunities that DBE firms have in participating on projects includes working on an alternative delivery project such as Design Build either on the professional service or construction side.  Networking events are held to introduce DBEs to the project and to the short-listed bidding teams, so that all parties can share information.

 Networking events may be held virtually or in person at the discretion of the MoDOT Design Build Project Director and the ECR Division.

 

DBE Workshops and Networking for Graduates

Entrepreneurship Training Program participants often hate to say goodbye after graduation and can participate in expanded networking sessions and interactive workshops intended specifically for their level of development. 

In addition to providing an opportunity for graduates to discuss potential new opportunities for collaboration as well as current challenges, these sessions also offer structured peer-to-peer problem solving and MoDOT Case Studies, under the guidance of a trained facilitator.

These sessions are for graduates of the Entrepreneurship Training program.

 

DBE Business Coaching Program

MoDOT’s Supportive Services Business Coaching Program provides assistance to certified DBE firms in Missouri, in areas that will enhance their ability to work on MoDOT projects.

Typically, coaching sessions will be held virtually and may cover topics such as accounting, bidding, bonding, business law, business plans, collaboration/teaming, certified payroll, estimating, financial review, information technology, marketing, project management, and safety.

 

DBE Seminars and Networking Sessions

MoDOT Supportive Services sponsors seminars for DBE firms on topics of mutual interest to DBE firms and the highway construction community. Sessions, such as the annual MoDOT Triple Play [held each year on the first Monday of June], offer opportunities for DBE firms to network among themselves, with MoDOT staff. Transportation agency professionals and large contractors.

Networking events have been organized around major highway construction contracting or Design Build opportunities within the state.

Past seminar topics have included the legal aspects of Joint Venturing and Strategic Alliances, Finding your Niche’, Lean Management for the Service Industry and Panel Discussions from Industry Leaders.

 

DBE Advanced Contractor Training

With a view toward ensuring sustainability within the roster of MoDOT certified DBE firms, MoDOT Supportive Services has developed an advanced contractor training program.   These DBE firms should be geared in heavy highway construction. 

Typically, participating DBE firms will have either completed the MoDOT Supportive Services DBE Entrepreneurial Training Program or have been in business for seven (7) or more years.  Advanced Contractor Training components include one-on-one sessions with the participating DBE firm owners for leadership evaluation and skill set development followed by an assessment of their business operations and processes.

In-class sessions are conducted in which participants gain knowledge and skills in leadership and team building, strategic planning and implementation, project management, risk management and quality improvement.

Participants in the program will also work with a coach to improve critical areas of management for their enterprise.

 

Mentor-Protégé Program

MoDOT’s Mentor-Protégé Program centers on the development of mutually beneficial business relationships between DBE firms and Prime contractors. 

Mentoring firms help and training to protégé DBE firms to enhance those firms’ business and technical capabilities and achieve increased capacity.

Joint Benefits include long-term relationships with a potential subcontractor or prime, developed innovative approaches and technologies, potential joint ventures, possible long-term relationships, expanded scopes and enhanced capabilities, possibility of new projects and revenues. 

 

DBE Technical Assistance

The MoDOT Technical Assistance program is available to enhance technical proficiency. Technical training and technical resources are being made available on a limited basis to DBE firms in critical areas of growth and development. 

Assistance will be determined based on the situation and the request. Topics may include software training, bid location, website improvement, HR Planning, membership fee assistance, and bid estimating.

 

Annual DBE Symposium

Each year, MoDOT holds a conference for DBE’s & prime contractors to gain knowledge about the federal program, its requirements, industry updates and discussions as well as a chance for DBEs to network with peers and prime contractors alike. 

The event is typically held in early spring, ahead of the construction season. The conference rotates among three areas of the state – Kansas City, Columbia, & St. Louis with the 2024 event to be held in St. Louis.

This conference will assist DBEs with networking opportunities with prime contractors and consultants. The breakout sessions may provide training in the areas of DBE certification, Commercially Useful Function (CUF), Contract Compliance, Workforce Diversity, contract administration, bidding, bonding/insurance, mentor protégé and other sessions focused on educating and building DBE capacity and knowledge of the DBE program.

  

DBE Reimbursement Program -NEW

MoDOT will help to eliminate barriers of entry to DBEs doing work or bidding on MoDOT projects through aid relating to costs of professional membership associations, trainings & certifications, web design, audited financial statements, estimating software and accounting software.

Expenses are eligible as long as any training or membership fees are relevant to the highway construction industry and any professional services or software utilized by a firm that currently works on or is bidding MoDOT projects.

Limits and rules for each category apply and MoDOT, at its sole discretion, approves items for reimbursement until allocated funding is expended within the line item.

 

NOT A CERTIFIED DBE YET?

No worries, but you’ll want to be!  The MoDOT DBE Supportive Services Program has something for everyone interested in working on Transportation Design Build and Heavy Highway Projects.

 

DBE Application Assistance - NEW

From across the state potential DBE applicants will be identified and assisted in becoming certified. A special emphasis exists to increase DBE availability in heavy highway construction crafts.

In addition to one-on-one application assistance, certification workshops will be held to introduce and help applicants through the process.

 

North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Expansion Program

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise owners are certified to do certain types of work for prime contractors. This "scope of work," based on what types of work the DBE owner has the capability and capacity to do, is classified using the North American Industry Classification System.  Just like any other business, DBE owners have the opportunity to expand, grow and develop their business and increase their "scope of work."

Using the NAICS Expansion Program, DBE contractors are allowed to perform work outside of their certification codes but within their abilities, to gain the experience, skills and expertise needed to expand their certification.

If the DBE performs the additional type of work successfully on several contracts, the Missouri Regional Certification Committee* will review and upgrade the DBE's certification "scope of work" to include the expanded classification for additional types of work.

Until the certification scope of work is approved and expanded by the MRCC, DBE participation in work outside of their current classification cannot be counted toward a prime contractors’ goal for DBE participation. MoDOT will, however, count participation in classification expansion by certified DBEs as a good faith effort by the prime contractor toward meeting participation goals.

* The Missouri Regional Certification Committee is made up of the Missouri Department of Transportation, St. Louis Lambert Airport Authority, the City of Kansas City, Kansas City Transportation Authority and Metro, as well as others.

NAICS Code Expansion Form

 

How do I contact Supportive Services?

Eastern Region, serving the St. Louis Metro area, Northeast and Southeast Missouri:

External Civil Rights St. Louis Office

1590 Woodlake Drive

Chesterfield, MO 63017

Phone: (314) 453-1877

Email: dbe@modot.mo.gov

 

DBE Supportive Services Consultant:

Western Region, serving the Kansas City Metro area, Northwest and Southwest Missouri:

External Civil Rights Kansas City Office

600 NE Colbern Road 

Lees Summit, MO 64086 

Phone: (816) 607-2161

Email dbe@modot.mo.gov

 

DBE Supportive Services Consultant:

Bellewether, Ltd.

PO Box 287

Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

Phone: (816) 554-9400

Email: saunders@bellewether.com