Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Civil Rights

Ensuring equal opportunity for all businesses and personnel on our projects

Events


January 2023


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. Meets online.

First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification training

Learn how to give first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to use automated external defibrillators. Earn the National Safety Council First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification.

DBE Business Academy: Staying out of trouble, course 107 – Prevention

This beginner course is taught from the perspective of running a business as an owner. Become familiar with legal components and ramifications in the construction industry. Learn different parts of a contract, subcontractor clauses, bid qualifiers and more.

February 2023


Finding opportunities

You have registered in SAM and are hunting on sam.gov for bidding opportunities, but that doesn’t mean you will find the right opportunities. Learn how to increase your chances and become a proactive hunter. Learn tips for positioning, websites to search, subcontracting tactics, forecasting of government purchases, places to register, and strategies to deploy.

DBE Business Academy: Building a viable business, course 106 – Break-even analysis

Examine the theory of break-even analysis for an investment in a business, a capital investment, and an expansion of business operations. In this course we cover the life cycle of the investment, cash flows, expenses and more. This is a beginner-level course.

DBE Business Academy: Becoming successful, course 205 – Accounting with QuickBooks

In this intermediate-level course, learn to use QuickBooks for sales, accounts receivable and accounts payable.

OSHA 10 Certification training

In this two-day workshop, receive an introduction to Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards and regulations and earn OSHA 10 Certification. All certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Targeted Group Businesses, and Veteran-owned businesses are eligible to attend. Learn OSHA Focus 4 skills: Falls, Electrocution, Struck By, Caught in Between. Learn about personal protective equipment. Focus on highway heavy safety. Gain confidence in a lifesaving emergency.

Small Business Negotiated Maintenance and Construction Contracts (NMCs) training

Learn about MnDOT’s Negotiated Maintenance and Construction contracts. Understand what NMCs are and what work types they include. Become familiar with common NMC language and acronyms. Learn NMC process and quote packages. Learn to read and interpret plans. Understand NMC standard specifications, special provisions, prevailing wage and labor compliance. Learn how to quote and bid on NMCs. Learn about insurance, bonding, and procurement. Receive resources and tips, including how to avoid common mistakes on NMCs.

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.

  • Feb. 9, 2023
  • 9 – 10:30 a.m.
  • Link to the Worksite Cooperation Committee meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date
  • Questions: nmiller@ultcmn.org

First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification training

Learn how to give first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to use automated external defibrillators. Earn the National Safety Council First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification.

DBE Business Academy: Making money, course 204 – Maximizing profit

Learn how to use accounting practices for your business needs. Review general ledger theory, income statements, job costing, payroll, and tax preparation. This is an intermediate-level course.

How to bid with MnDOT

Join us to learn the ins and outs of how to look for projects and submit a bid with MnDOT. We walk through the steps to take to prepare for a successful bid submission including how to register as a supplier in the SWIFT system, complete the MnDOT vendor form, find the plan room, and use Bid Express. This session is offered in partnership with Minnesota Department of Administration's PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center).

DBE Business Academy: The art of bidding and estimating, course 202 – Bid preparation

Prepare for bidding MnDOT work. In this intermediate-level course, we cover all bid documents, bidding strategies and the effects of economic factors. We’ll explain the differences between bidding on horizontal and vertical construction.

DBE Business Academy: Becoming successful, course 203 – Implementing operation strategies

Understand management units and how to identify short-term and long-term goals. Learn how to create a SWOT analysis and its benefits. Discuss MnDOT prequals, handling economic downtime and more. This is an intermediate-level course.

Drafting a business capability statement

Learn the requirements for a clear, concise, and accurate business capability statement. Work through exercises to identify your business priorities and focus. List your employees’ strengths and resources. Create a business capability statement founded on those priorities and abilities.  See good and bad examples of business capability statements. Participants will work through creating several drafts. Receive resources for developing additional capabilities and learn about future classes addressing this. The instructor has expertise in teaching clear, concise writing classes for the public works industry. Join these classes via Zoom, or in person (bring a laptop).

  • Feb. 22, 2023
  • 8 – 9:30 a.m.
  • Attend Drafting a business capability statement in person. Location: PE Services, 4204 Park Glen Road, St. Louis Park MN
  • Attend Drafting a business capability statement via Zoom – link will be provided closer to the date
  • Questions: Ann.Johnson@peservicesmn.com

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. Meets online.

  • Feb. 22, 2023
  • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Link to join the Results and Transparency Committee meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date
  • Questions: robbkent@comcast.net

Designing a business portfolio

Learn what makes a professional and high-quality business portfolio. Receive examples of company overviews, project descriptions, and resumes. Work through exercises to complete documents for your business portfolio. Create a document that describes your company's work and priorities. Assemble lists of completed projects, project details, accomplishments, references, photos, and dollar value. Format this information into a word document and then create a pdf for use in marketing. Create a professional resume and bio for each employee that emphasizes their strengths, abilities, credentials and experience. Join these classes via Zoom, or in person (bring a laptop).

  • Feb. 24, 2023
  • 8 – 9:30 a.m.
  • Attend Drafting a business capability statement in person. Location: PE Services, 4204 Park Glen Road, St. Louis Park MN
  • Attend Drafting a business capability statement via Zoom – link will be provided closer to the date
  • Questions: Ann.Johnson@peservicesmn.com

DBE Business Academy: Staying out of trouble, course 207 – Contract protection

Understand the laws that affect the construction business. Discuss reducing business liabilities. Gain an understanding of business law, change orders, subcontracts liability, bonds and more. This is an intermediate-level course.

 

March 2023


DBE Business Academy: Strategic visibility, course 208 – Integrating marketing strategies

In this intermediate-level course, focus on types of marketing strategies and how to integrate them. Discuss and prepare a marketing plan and learn the value of using multiple strategies.

DBE Business Academy: Mastering QuickBooks, course 305 – QuickBooks tax prep and reporting

In this advanced-level course, learn how to prepare taxes and reports using QuickBooks.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Committee meeting

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

DBE Business Academy: Winning MnDOT work, course 201 – Preparing the tools

Learn useful tools and tips for winning MnDOT work. In this intermediate-level course, MnDOT experts discuss alternative MnDOT contracting methods, small business contracting opportunities, prevailing wage, bid opportunities and how to do business with MnDOT.

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.

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. This meeting format is hybrid: in-person and online.

DBE Business Academy: Building a viable business, course 206 – Cash flow forecasting

Use cash flow forecasting to set a budget using historical data and past sales figures. We will look at forecasting cash flow for three scenarios: business investment, business expansion, and project-specific costs. We’ll discuss examples of each scenario and create budgets by estimating projected revenue and expenses. This is an intermediate-level course.

Effective proposal writing

You have found an opportunity, now what? Learn how to write a proposal in response to a solicitation. Understand what is being requested and how to develop a successful response.

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. Meets online.

  • March 22, 2023
  • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Link to join the Results and Transparency Committee meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date
  • Questions: robbkent@comcast.net

Youth Outreach Committee meeting

This Collaborative subcommittee identifies recruitment strategies and educational opportunities.

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 sub-contractors.

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.

April 2023


DBE Business Academy: Building a viable business, course 306 – Workflow forecast

Develop the required tools, assumptions, and other considerations you need to determine workflows and critical paths. Understand assessing strengths, weaknesses, limits and potential in your human and asset capital capabilities. Evaluate needs for new or more resources. This is an advanced-level course.

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. 

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.
  • Link to the Worksite Cooperation Committee meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date
  • Questions: nmiller@ultcmn.org

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: 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.

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. Meets online.

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

May 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.

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. Meets online.

  • May 24, 2023
  • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • 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.
  • 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. Meets online.

  • June 28, 2023
  • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • 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.