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State of the System - Equity

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Engagement and Civil Rights

Transportation is more than roads and bridges, it's a pathway to opportunity. When people have the freedom and ability to access transportation, their opportunities in life grow and expand. It is ODOT's commitment to make that movement possible for everyone. All people in Oregon should be able to get to where they need to go, regardless of their identity or background. Our work is about belonging, accessibility, fairness and opportunity. 






Access to Construction Workforce Opportunities

Our federally funded Highway Construction Workforce Development Program helps build a diverse, skilled construction workforce that will meet the needs of the Oregon heavy-highway construction industry now and in the future. The program provides support and services to individuals who are either preparing to enter or have entered a trade associated with highway construction. ODOT's supportive services include:

  • Classes to prepare workers for apprenticeship. 
  • Pre-apprenticeship classes 
  • Travel-related expenses 
  • Job readiness supplies(tools, boots, rain gear, etc.) 
  • Childcare subsidies
  • One-time hardship assistance
A cluster bar chart that shows federal funds available for the Highway Construction Workforce Development Program for the 21-23 biennium and 23-25 biennium vs federal funds expended. 21-23 shows that 2.17 million of 2.2 milions was explended and partial data from 23-25 biennium shows that 1.72 million of 3.6 million has been expended.


           Data source: 2024 Biannual ORS 184.866 Legislative Report

Access to Economic Opportunities

The Office of Engagement and Civil Rights ensures compliance, outreach, and fair access to contracting services by administering several federal and state programs including; Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Emerging Small Business, Tribal Ordinance (TERO) and Small Business Development Program (SBDP). 

The Small Business Development Program provides a dedicated pathway for small firms to compete as prime contractors on ODOT transportation projects, building both economic capacity and statewide competition.

  • As of October 31, 2025, 38 firms qualified to participate
  • Qualified firms represent a diverse range of construction specialities, with many prequalified to perform work across multiple classes. 

Two SBDP projects from the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) were bid and awarded to firms participating in the program. 




Firms participating in the Small Business Development Program represent a range of smaller business sizes, as measured by both number of employees and annual revenue. 

  • Most firms (nearly 80%) employ fewer than 50 people.
  • There are 33 firms with under $20 million in gross receipts participating.

A Pie Chart that displays Firm size by employee count.

A Pie Chart that displays Firm size by annual revenue.

               Data source: 2025 Small Business Development Program Annual Report



Engagement

We have expanded our outreach and engagement efforts in accordance with Executive Order 22-15, which directed agencies to create a five-year action plan to imbed equity into procurement processes and diversify the public works project workforce. Year three in the implementation of EO 22-15 focused on interagency collaborations, outreach and engagement of supplier communities, and language access resources. 

  • Our telephonic interpretation service for customer language access has been launched. 
  • OECR participated in or sponsored 44 outreach events across Oregon.
  • We are hosting "Doing Business with ODOT" virtual events.


Internal Workforce

Delivering fair access for all communities while meeting federal requirements depends on a skilled, capable internal workforce. To ensure we can sustain this work, we must begin building and tracking workforce capacity and capability metrics, so we can identify gaps, support growth, and measure progress over time.


Our goal is to begin tracking internal capacity performance metrics, starting with a baseline assessment and continued ongoing reporting by the end of 2026.



Visit our Engagement and Civil Rights websites to learn more 

Civil Rights Link Button - click to visitEngagement Link Button - click to visit


To submit a question or comment:

Ask ODOT button - Click to visit the Ask ODOT form 
 

Strategic Action Plan Progress Report

Improve Equitable Outcomes

2024-2028 Strategic Actions
Under Revision






Current Efforts 

  • Development of ODOT's Right to Acces Plan
  • Development of ODOT's Affirmative Action Plan
  • Implementation of Executive Order 22-15 Five Year Plan
  • Establishing a stewide, race- and gender-neutral program to expand access to contracting opportunities for small businesses participating in transportation projects and services.