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DBEAC Meeting Resources

​Agenda:

Synopsis:

  • Refine list of challenges and barriers DBE firms are facing when pursuing work with ODOT to top five most pressing and actionable items to address;
  • Split into subcommittees to begin research on case studies or possible solutions from other DOTs or agencies.

Video:

DBE Advisory Committee Video​​

​Agenda:

DBE Advisory Committee Agenda

Synopsis:

  • ​Refine list of challenges and barriers DBE firms are facing wahen pursuing work with ODOT to top five most pressing and actionable items to address
  • Split into subcommittees to begin research on case studies or possible solutions from other DOTs or agencies​

Meeting Summary:

DBE Advisory Committee Meeting Summary




​Agenda:

DBE Advisory Committee Agenda​

Synopsis:

  • ​Refine list of challenges and barriers DBE firms are facing wahen pursuing work with ODOT to top five most pressing and actionable items to address
  • Split into subcommittees to begin research on case studies or possible solutions from other DOTs or agencies​

Meeting Summary:

Attendance

DBE firms

  • Arti O'Brian, Advanced Government Services (DBE, MBE)
  • Debbie Rockway, AllSource Construction and Safety Supply (DBE, WBE)
  • Herb Yamamoto, BIM Connection (DBE, MBE)
  • James Faison, Faison Construction (DBE, MBE)
  • Karisa Mata, Certified Personnel Service (DBE, WBE)
  • Khang Tran, Humanus Labs (DBE, ESB, MBE)
  • Lillian Stevenson, Berrien Concrete (DBE, ESB, MBE, SBE)
  • Matt Calhoun, GI Junk Removal (DBE, SBD, ESB, MWBE, Veteran-owned)
  • Marcela Alcantar (Kiekari Wiya), Alcantar & Associates (DBE, MBE, WBE)
  • Suzanne Donaldson, Donaldson LLC (DBE, MBE, WBE)

Not in attendance

  • Monica Leal, Global Transportation Engineering (DBE, MBE, WBE)
  • Rene Christianson, High Point Construction (DBE, WSM)
  • Trisha Cauthorn, Corpac Construction (DBE, MBE, WBE)

Project team

  • Angela Crain, OCR Manager
  • Brett Houghton, PRR Facilitator
  • Diponker Mukherjee, OCR DBE Program Manager
  • Hayley Nolan, PRR Committee Support
  • Malika Klingler, PRR Facilitator

Meeting goals

  • Participants and project team understand barriers and have the information to draft an initial problem statement for each barrier that includes background and preliminary ideas for solutions.
  • Group agrees on an order to approach the six priority barriers.

Meeting notes

The DBE Advisory Committee met for a small group meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Small group meetings are for DBE firms only, without industry partners, primes, or technical advisors in attendance.

Welcome and updates

  • Angela Crain, OCR Manager, shared an update about the OCR team. Catherine Biscoe, OCR Small Business Programs Manager, is unavailable for the time being and is no longer the point of contact for the committee. Angela and Diponker are now the contacts.
  • Brett Houghton introduced two new PRR team members. Hayley Nolan will provide meeting and logistical support to the committee, and Malika Klingler will co-facilitate meetings with Brett.
  • A committee member acknowledged the potential difficulty for PRR to facilitate Advisory Committee meetings while integrating true change and maintaining balance between ODOT and DBE firm priorities.

 ODOT current efforts to remove barriers to DBE firms

  • Angela reviewed the six barriers committee members identified in meeting #2 and what current ODOT actions and efforts relate to these barriers.
  • Some committee members asked when ODOT stopped holding retainage in its payment process. Angela said she would get back to the group with this information.
  • One committee member asked if ODOT can track the specific actions the agency is taking to remove barriers to DBE firms. The member expressed the importance of seeing progress and not just activity.
    • The ODOT team offered to provide regular updates on ODOT's progress implementing efforts to remove barriers.
  • Key takeaways:
    • Increasing access for DBE firms requires collaboration, including between different ODOT departments, between State agencies, and with federal agencies.
    • Significant progress takes time. Large government agencies like ODOT do not function as nimbly as small businesses and often require more time to adapt to new information.

In-depth discussion of six priority barriers

  • The group spent the rest of the meeting talking through each of the six barriers identified in meeting #2, focusing on making sure all committee members understand the barrier and why it matters.

 
Action items and next steps

  • Angela will follow up with information on when ODOT stopped holding retainage.
  • Project team will draft barrier problem statements by Wednesday, December 14.
  • DBE committee members will provide input on problem statements by Wednesday, December 28.
  • Next meeting is a full-group meeting on Wednesday, January 11.​