Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Small Business Resources

Doing Business with Oregon Department of Transportation

There are many programs that help Oregon's small businesses contract on all types of ODOT projects. These programs guide small businesses and help increase their businesses' size in order for them to compete for ODOT contracts. Helping small businesses will make Oregon's economy and communities stronger. The following information will help begin the process of doing business with ODOT.

How to Get Started

The videos in this YouTube playlist are from our Doing Business with ODOT event. The event features speakers from the certification program, ODOT Procurement, prime contractors and more. We hold these events a few times a year. They are a great way to learn more about what's involved in contracting with ODOT.

Certification and Contracting Basics

Small Business Certification

Many programs require certification. The state of Oregon only accepts certifications from the Certification Office of Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID). Certified firms are used by prime contractors and project managers all across the state.

Contracting with ODOT

General contracting information is found in the Contracting with ODOT portal, which has information on open contracts and how to do business in Construction, Goods and Trades Services, and Personal and Professional Services. Visit the ODOT Procurement Office Construction Contracts Unit for information on prime contractor prequalifications, other bid and award information, letting schedules, eBids, and a Doing Business with Oregon brochure.

ODOT and other state and local agencies use the Oregon Buys website to promote contracts for public bidding.

Opportunities for Small Businesses

Businesses that become certified have access to many supportive services from ODOT and elsewhere. These services range from professional training, tutoring or consulting and are designed to improve a firm's ability to successfully complete ODOT contracts and projects.

Emerging Small Business Program

The Emerging Small Business (ESB) program serves to help Oregon’s small business community overcome barriers to participation in the state’s multi-billion dollar public contracting process. This program helps small Oregon firms increase their capacities to perform and bid on contracts, and then expand their market shares.

Small Business Development Program

The purpose of the Small Business Development Program is to identify transportation construction projects that are suitable for qualified small businesses to undertake as prime contractors, and to provide support and resources for successful delivery. Through this program, we will increase the ability, capacity, experience, and number of construction contractors doing business with ODOT. Learn more about how the program is coming together and how you can participate.

Small Business Navigators

Our small business navigators work with community partners and networks to connect people to resources, trainings and information needed to have successful business opportunities with ODOT. Reach out to our team with questions, comments and concerns.

Omar Alvarado, 503-385-6694
Joe Hanseling, 971-453-2889

Networking Opportunities

It is important for small businesses to engage in networking to grow their business opportunities. ODOT has partnered with trade organizations, chambers and business associations which small businesses can use as resources for workshops, technical assistance and for loans.

The following information contains some of the many resources that ODOT provides to small businesses.