Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Civil Rights

Ensuring equal opportunity for all businesses and personnel on our projects

Events


April 2023


DBE Business Academy: Winning MnDOT work, course 301 – A successful submittal

In this advanced-level course, gain an understanding of the components of a successful bid and review the submittal process. Prime contractors will make presentations about their experiences, including what they look for from their subcontractors.

Negotiating a contract, contract review and legal considerations

*This course is specifically for Professional/Technical firms, professional services and consulting*
No job gets started till the paperwork is signed! In this course, we discuss the basic components of a standard contract. Learn about the allowed overhead components and computations, as well as fixed fees and profit allowances. Learn how to describe the difference between fixed hourly rate and a cost times multiplier. Learn about pre-award and audit materials and how to price time vs. unit price. Ultimately, you will understand the main components of the contract deliverables. Join these classes via Zoom or in person (bring a laptop).

DBE Business Academy: Becoming successful, course 303 – Sustainability

In this advanced-level course, prepare an operational action plan. Learn to set and carry out strategies to achieve action plan goals. Discuss how to navigate the ups and downs of owning a business. Discuss how to transition out of the DBE program.

Worksite Cooperation Committee meeting

This Collaborative subcommittee identifies worksite issues related to workforce diversity. It develops recommendations to ensure construction worksites are respectful and welcoming to all.

  • April 6, 2023
  • 9 – 10:30 a.m.
  • Meet online: The link to the Worksite Cooperation Committee meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date
  • Questions: nmiller@ultcmn.org

Small business workshops – construction, maintenance, professional technical

Learn how to earn MnDOT contracts for smaller construction projects, maintenance work or needs requiring specific professional technical skills. Workshops are open to all small businesses, but especially to those that are economically disadvantaged or owned by people with disabilities, women, veterans, or members of BIPOC communities. Learn what MnDOT opportunities are available. Understand the path to becoming an approved vendor. Many MnDOT contracts offer up to $100,000. Offered in partnership with Southwest Initiative Foundation, Kyandiyohi County, City of Willmar Economic Development Commission.

DBE Business Academy: The art of bidding and estimating, course 302 – Responding to an RFP

In this advanced-level class, learn how to successfully respond to requests for proposals. Understand the necessity of reading all the RFP materials and making a clear response to the criteria. Learn to organize your response around a clearly identified theme to create a stand-out brand. Discuss brevity, focus and how to frame your credentials as benefits to the client.

DBE Business Academy: Staying out of trouble, course 307 – Construction law and contracts

Understand the legal components of a MnDOT contract, specifications, performance bonds and MnDOT forms. This is an advanced-level class.

DBE Business Academy: Strategic visibility, course 308 – Action plan

In this advanced-level course, set marketing goals and create an action plan to achieve them. Discuss the value of analyzing results within a marketing cycle. Understand how to adjust your marketing strategy as your company grows. 

Small business workshops – construction, maintenance, professional technical

Learn how to earn MnDOT contracts for smaller construction projects, maintenance work or needs requiring specific professional technical skills. Workshops are open to all small businesses, but especially to those that are economically disadvantaged or owned by people with disabilities, women, veterans, or members of BIPOC communities. Learn what MnDOT opportunities are available. Understand the path to becoming an approved vendor. Many MnDOT contracts offer up to $100,000. Offered in partnership with Minnesota Tribal Contractors Council.

DBE Business Academy: Making money, course 204 – Making more money

In this advanced-level course, evaluate your business's financial position and generate projections. Compare buying and leasing. Gain an understanding of balance sheets. Learn how to conduct a financial statement analysis.

Responding to a request for proposal

*This course is specifically for Professional/Technical firms, professional services and consulting*
The jobs are out there, we just need to know where to find them! Requests for Proposal (RFPs) are posted by agencies looking for contractors to get the work done. Learn how to search for and find these RFPs on agency websites. Look at the RFP components to understand what exactly is being requested and make a plan to respond appropriately. Because some projects are bigger than others, it may be necessary to partner with other companies or contractors to meet the requirements of the RFP. Discuss what this looks like and how to increase your chances of being selected. Receive a template to use to respond to an RFP. Leave class with a completed draft template for future proposals. Join these classes via Zoom or in person (bring a laptop).

Small business workshops – construction, maintenance, professional technical

Learn how to earn MnDOT contracts for smaller construction projects, maintenance work or needs requiring specific professional technical skills. Workshops are open to all small businesses, but especially to those that are economically disadvantaged or owned by people with disabilities, women, veterans, or members of BIPOC communities. Learn what MnDOT opportunities are available. Understand the path to becoming an approved vendor. Many MnDOT contracts offer up to $100,000. Offered in partnership with Northside Economic Development Network and the Latino Chamber of Commerce Minnesota.

Small business workshops – construction, maintenance, professional technical

Learn how to earn MnDOT contracts for smaller construction projects, maintenance work or needs requiring specific professional technical skills. Workshops are open to all small businesses, but especially to those that are economically disadvantaged or owned by people with disabilities, women, veterans, or members of BIPOC communities. Learn what MnDOT opportunities are available. Understand the path to becoming an approved vendor. Many MnDOT contracts offer up to $100,000.

Results and Transparency Committee meeting

The Results and Transparency workgroup reviews and monitors the projects, workforce goals, and progress in hiring women and people of color on highway construction projects.

  • April 26, 2023
  • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Meet online: The link to join the Results and Transparency Committee meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date
  • Questions: robbkent@comcast.net

Financial management and planning for downturns

Understanding money and budget management is crucial for the success of your company. In this class we discuss basic accounting terms and requirements. Look at forecasting monthly work in anticipation of personnel needs and work hours. In this industry, there are always ups and downs, but we discuss how best to manage those times and plan for when we know work will be slow (usually in winter). We will look at additional resources for finding potential work and look at understanding the use of a line-of-credit to bridge times when cash flow is a problem. You will learn how to forecast work and staffing needs with simple tools like Excel. Join these classes via Zoom or in person (bring a laptop).

May 2023


Managing cash flow

Managing money is a crucial component of running a business. In this course we discuss how to work with your bank or credit union to determine which options are available, and which options fit your needs. Learn exactly what you will need from your bank and how it can be an important partner in managing your costs and value. Learn about linking work and personnel projections to cash flow. Understand options for lines of credit and loans.  Receive materials that help you collect data required by lenders. Leave class with a completed draft template for future proposals. Join these classes via Zoom or in person (bring a laptop).

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Committee meeting

The DBE committee identifies issues and recommendations related to building capacity, utilization, and sustainability of DBE firms.

Human resources and employment law

If you are planning to hire people to work for you, then you need to understand human resources and employment law. Learn how to communicate with employees to make sure they understand and follow company policies. Learn how to produce an employee handbook and what it needs to contain. Complete a draft template for your business. Discuss personal management requirements, the importance of a detailed job description, and a structured performance review. Receive resources for employment law assistance. Discuss workman’s comp, health insurance, and general benefits. Look at options for outsourcing human resource duties and those costs and commitments.
Receive examples and templates for a basic employee handbook.  Join these classes via Zoom or in person (bring a laptop).

Full DBE and Workforce Collaborative meeting

The DBE and Workforce Collaborative is an advisory group of stakeholders from various industry groups interested in DBE and workforce diversity. The Collaborative’s goal is to increase the diversity of firms and people of color and women participation in the construction industry to reflect the demographics of the State of Minnesota by: Building the future workforce, expanding existing business and workforce skills, ensuring transparency, and connecting people and firms with each other. It is an open group that welcomes the participation of all who support the goal. Any organization or individual committed to the goal may participate by attending a Collaborative meeting.

Building your team

You’re overwhelmed but you don’t know what kind of help you need. How do you determine your needs and decide what role(s) you need help with – do you need an admin? Do you need a laborer? Learn how to create a job description and a job posting that attracts the best candidates.  Learn what’s required in an offer and how to determine the financial part of the employment package. Receive sample interview questions and answers. Participate in a mock interview and produce a mock job offer letter. Discuss important employee orientation standards and practices. Learn about discuss payroll methods, requirements, and taxes. Develop an understanding of unemployment insurance and its implications for you as the employer.
This class is offered only in person and will be recorded.

Finding and hiring subcontractors to grow your business

Partnering with the right people can be a great way to expand business opportunities. In this course compare your business capabilities with typical MnDOT projects and identify potential partners. Learn about resources for finding contractor lists and capabilities. Identify and list professional organizations, additional resources, events, and websites that help you network.  This class is offered only in person and is combined with a networking event right after the class.

Results and Transparency Committee meeting

The Results and Transparency work group reviews and monitors the projects, workforce goals, and progress in hiring women and people of color on highway construction projects.

  • May 24, 2023
  • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Meet online: The link to join the Results and Transparency Committee meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date
  • Questions: robbkent@comcast.net

June 2023


Worksite Cooperation Committee meeting

This Collaborative subcommittee identifies worksite issues related to workforce diversity. It develops recommendations to ensure construction worksites are respectful and welcoming to all.

  • June 8, 2023
  • 9 – 10:30 a.m.
  • Meet online: The link to the Worksite Cooperation Committee meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date
  • Questions: nmiller@ultcmn.org

Youth Outreach Committee meeting

This Collaborative subcommittee identifies recruitment strategies and educational opportunities.

Results and Transparency Committee meeting

The Results and Transparency work group reviews and monitors the projects, workforce goals, and progress in hiring women and people of color on highway construction projects.

  • June 28, 2023
  • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Meet online: The link to join the Results and Transparency Committee meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date
  • Questions: robbkent@comcast.net

July 2023


Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Committee meeting

The DBE committee identifies issues and recommendations related to building capacity, utilization, and sustainability of DBE firms.

Full DBE and Workforce Collaborative meeting

The DBE and Workforce Collaborative is an advisory group of stakeholders from various industry groups interested in DBE and workforce diversity. The Collaborative’s goal is to increase the diversity of firms and people of color and women participation in the construction industry to reflect the demographics of the State of Minnesota by: Building the future workforce, expanding existing business and workforce skills, ensuring transparency, and connecting people and firms with each other. It is an open group that welcomes the participation of all who support the goal. Any organization or individual committed to the goal may participate by attending a Collaborative meeting.

August 2023


There are no events scheduled yet for this month.

September 2023


Full DBE and Workforce Collaborative meeting

The DBE and Workforce Collaborative is an advisory group of stakeholders from various industry groups interested in DBE and workforce diversity. The Collaborative’s goal is to increase the diversity of firms and people of color and women participation in the construction industry to reflect the demographics of the State of Minnesota by: Building the future workforce, expanding existing business and workforce skills, ensuring transparency, and connecting people and firms with each other. It is an open group that welcomes the participation of all who support the goal. Any organization or individual committed to the goal may participate by attending a Collaborative meeting.

October 2023


There are no events scheduled yet for this month.

November 2023


Full DBE and Workforce Collaborative meeting

The DBE and Workforce Collaborative is an advisory group of stakeholders from various industry groups interested in DBE and workforce diversity. The Collaborative’s goal is to increase the diversity of firms and people of color and women participation in the construction industry to reflect the demographics of the State of Minnesota by: Building the future workforce, expanding existing business and workforce skills, ensuring transparency, and connecting people and firms with each other. It is an open group that welcomes the participation of all who support the goal. Any organization or individual committed to the goal may participate by attending a Collaborative meeting.

December 2023


There are no events scheduled yet for this month.