Illinois Department of Transportation MENTORPROTG PROGRAM Program Purpose

Illinois Department of Transportation MENTOR-PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM

Program Purpose – To provide developmental assistance to enhance the Protégés business and technical capabilities – To focus on business relationships between Mentor firms and Protégé firms

Enrollment and Eligibility – Voluntary Participation • Mentor – 1. ) 5 years experience (prefer as IDOT prime contractor) 2. ) commit 5 -10 hours/month with Protégé • Protégé – 1. ) 3 years experience in highway construction 2. ) certified DBE by IDOT or IL UCP agency

The Mentor Protégé Plan Training Areas Can Include • • • Business planning Recordkeeping Technical assistance Capital formation Loan packaging Financial counseling Bonding Equipment utilization Training in new substantive/technical areas

M/P GUIDELINES Mentor will • Sign a Development Plan with Protégé • Attend meetings • Review Protégé’s business and implementation plans • Identify problems and business challenges • Identify improvements in specific areas: estimating and bidding • Help identify needs

• Identify critical steps towards meeting goals • Respond to request for assistance on significant business problems • Provide training to increase competitiveness • Provide equipment, resources/personnel with specialized skills; provide workers under the supervision of the Protégé • Monitor Plan progress • Report Protégé progress to IDOT • Offer advice on the best ways for success

M/P GUIDELINES Protégé will • Attend meetings with the Mentor • Implement goals and objectives • Utilize one-on-one supportive services • Share information: 1. ) Working capital • 2. ) Capacity, including payroll • 3. ) Material/overhead expenses

• 4. ) Net profit • 5. ) Lines of credit • 6. ) Bonding limits per project • 7. ) Current certificates for worker’s compensation and general liability insurance

M/P GUIDELINES IDOT will • Establish M/P Oversight Committee • Evaluate potential program candidates • Assist parties in tailoring a Plan • Augment plan services to Protégé through Supportive Services • Monitor approved Plans • Provide reports as required by FHWA

M/P OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE • Serve as the “working arm” of the M/P program. • Consist of: - 3 OBWD representatives - 1 representative from Division of Hwy. - 1 FHWA official • Require quarterly and annual reports on Program accomplishments.

DBE Goals & Admin. Costs • On designated larger projects, DBE goals for participants are 5% less than overall stated goal, for projects on which Mentors use Protégés as DBE subcontractors. • The M/P Oversight Committee selects projects eligible for the Program.

• Goal Reduction: § Eligible individual projects will have a program value of $1 million min. § The goal reduction would apply to projects with overall stated goals 15% or more § The DBE Protégé must actually perform minimum 2% of total contract award § Designated projects only in Districts 1, 4, 6& 8.