Colorado Department of Transportation CDOT Emerging Small Business

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Emerging Small Business (ESB) Program Karen D. Gonzales ESB Program Manager (303) 757 -9162 karen. gonzales@dot. state. co. us OPENING A BRIDGE OF OPPORTUNITY TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES SUCCEED!

ESB Program History • Authorized by Colorado Legislature in 1992 • Section 43 -1 -106(8)(j), (k) and (p) C. R. S. • State Funded Program implemented on certain CDOT projects • Transportation Commission has authority to adopt the Rules

ESB Program Rules 2 C. C. R. 604 -1 • Establishes criteria & other requirements a business must meet to qualify as an ESB • Determines the approval and denial of eligibility for ESB status • http: //www. dot. state. co. us/EEO/ESBProgram. Page. htm

ESB Program Objective Race-Neutral • Race and gender are not considered to determine eligibility • Intended to assist all eligible small businesses to gain the knowledge, experience and resources needed to compete for highway construction, design & research contracts.

Where ESB Program Applies • CDOT construction projects and consultant contracts with state funds only or combined state and federal funds

Where ESB Program Does Not Apply • • Projects with only Federal funds Local entity projects coordinated w/CDOT Procurement solicitations w/CDOT T-REX project

ESB Program Purpose • • • Eliminate formal barriers in contracting Provide assistance Promote participation Increase competition Increase access to CDOT contracting

ESB Program Eligibility Criteria • Independent business - Can be affiliated with another business only if the total income of that business combined with business applying does not exceed income limitation • Income limitation – Total Gross Income (on Federal Tax Return) averaged over past 3 Fiscal Years not to exceed total of: • $2 million for Consulting or Research Work • $4. 5 million for Construction

Establishing ESB Eligibility • Complete Application • Complete Business Development Plan • Submit 3 years of Federal Tax returns (or income statement if business is new) • Submit proof of 6 hours of business training completed by principal of business within last 2 years • http: //www. dot. state. co. us/EEO/ESBformpage. htm

ESB Eligibility Period • An ESB can remain eligible: - a maximum of 12 active eligible years - if eligibility is renewed annually - if business does not exceed income limitations

Program Benefits for ESBs • Bonding Reimbursement - up to $5, 000 for cost of bond on subcontract - up to $5, 000 for cost of bond on prime contract (Total $10, 000 per duration of time in program) • Tuition Reimbursement - up to $300 a year for half the cost of training class http: //www. dot. state. co. us/EEO/Tuition. Reimb. htm

ESB Mentor-Protégé Program (3 -Year Program) • CDOT and the Colorado Contractors Association (CCA) are co-sponsors • 10 Prime Contractor Volunteer Mentors • 5 Protégés (Eligible ESB contractors) • 1 Construction Accountant Consultant

ESB Program Elements (Looking Ahead) • Pilot Programs - Mentor-Protégé Program for Consultants

Incentives for Prime Contractors and Consultants (Encourage ESB Usage) • Payment (up to $5, 000) for using an ESB – paid only on the ESB’s 1 st CDOT subcontract • Payment (up to $7, 500) for training provided to the ESB on the project • Up to 5 evaluation scoring points on Professional Services Consultant Selection if Prime is an ESB or will use ESBs on projects

CDOT Resource Centers in Denver • CDOT - Center for Equal Opportunity Business Programs Office 1325 S. Colorado Blvd. Bldg. B. , Room 404 Hours: 8: 00 am-5: 00 pm/2 hrs. Free Parking Phone: 303 -757 -9234 Toll Free: 1 -800 -925 -3427 • Construction Development Center (CDC) 700 E. 24 th Ave. , Suite 2 Hours: 9: 00 am-6: 00 pm/Free Parking Phone: 303 -295 -3008 Toll Free: 1 -877 -980 -3008

ESB Program Publications available on Internet www. dot. state. co. us/EEO/ESBProgram. Page. htm - Consultant Information & Reimbursement Forms - Construction Reimbursement Forms - ESB Eligibility & Renewal Applications - ESB Rules - ESB Special Provision in construction projects - Monthly Directory of Eligible ESB Contractors & Consultants

CDOT Advertisements for Construction & Consultant Contracts • http: //www. dot. state. co. us Business with CDOT Project Bidding & Related http: //www. dot. state. co. us/Bidding • http: //www. dot. state. co. us Business with CDOT Consultant Management http: //www. dot. state. co. us/Consultants

CDOT Procurement Advertisements • http: //www. gssa. state. co. us/ State Purchasing Office Colorado BIDS for Goods and Services Open Solicitations by Agency Department of Transportation • http: //www. gssa. state. co. us/statebuildings Colorado Construction and Design Notices Open Notices by Agency Department of Transportation

CDOT Bidder’s Loop www. dot. state. co. us/eeo/loop/ The Loop is a free electronic communication service that will send the following by email: • CDOT News Releases • Highway construction and/or design bidding advertisement notices • Notifications of training and networking events • Monthly Business Programs Office Bulletin