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| Web Brief (Jul 06) |
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New tracking system helps ODOT monitor diversity in small businesses and the workforce
To increase economic opportunities for all Oregonians, ODOT is working to boost the participation of disadvantaged, minority-owned and women-owned businesses and individuals. Now, to track how successfully these groups are becoming part of the subcontracting and construction workforce, the agency unveiled its new Civil Rights Compliance Tracking system.
Developed by ODOT’s Office of Civil Rights and unveiled at a recognition event and training session in Salem on July 6, the long-awaited database will allow the agency to monitor how well contractors are meeting aspirational targets for diversifying their small business subcontractors and workforce.
“ODOT is working hard to increase the diversity of its employees, contractors, their employees and beyond,” said ODOT Chief of Staff Joan Plank. “Diversity is a high priority, and this new CRCT system will help us move forward and get better at what we do.”
The CRCT system, pronounced “circuit,” replaces the agency’s aging BizTrak system and improves labor compliance tracking by making it available on the internet. This new system allows ODOT to monitor success on aspirational targets and makes it easier and more efficient to keep track of documents such as labor and wage complaints and a variety of reports.
The inception of the OTIA III State Bridge Delivery Program made it necessary to expand the current tracking system to include sub-tier contractor payments, the tracking of on-the-job-training and equal employment opportunities for design-build and OTIA III projects, OTIA III required reports and more.
Presenters provided background information on the CRCT system and facilitated the system’s first user-acceptance training. Employees with the Office of Civil Rights, Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners, individual consultants and others are participated in the testing.
The meeting, attended by ODOT Director’s Office, Office of Civil Rights, Bridge Delivery Unit and Information Systems staff and representatives from Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners, was also a chance for the CRCT Steering Committee to recognize the many groups that came together to make the CRCT system a success.
“This project took a whole room of people,” said Mike Marsh, deputy director of Central Services. “The efforts, understanding and patience of many different departments have made this project a success.”
Along with their time and talent, many departments also contributed monetarily. The agency received an On-the-Job Support Service Grant in addition to funding from Civil Rights, Information Systems, the Office of Project Delivery and the Highway Finance Office, totaling more than $1.3 million.
“We’ve accomplished a very major milestone, but there is more work to come,” said Michael Cobb, Office of Civil Rights manager. “As long as we move forward working as a team, we will continue to succeed.”
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