USDOT to hold summit on opportunities for DBE, small businesses

Updated Oct 28, 2016

road-work-ahead-Better-RoadsThe U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is holding a summit for the disadvantage business enterprise (DBE) and small business community on October 26 at its headquarters to discuss DBE program updates, best practices and on-site prime contractor networking.

The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be divided into four main areas of concentration and will conclude with the networking session and one-on-one time with USDOT agency representatives.

Registration for the event is available here.

Discussion topics include:

USDOT DBE/Small Business Programs Updates

Moderator: Leslie M. Proll, Director, U.S. DOT Departmental Office of Civil Rights

Panelists:
Irene Rico, FHWA Acting Associate Administrator for Civil Rights; Torre J. Jessup, Director, U.S. DOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization;
Sheryl Williams, Executive Advisor, U.S. DOT Departmental Office of Civil Rights;
Wilbur Barham, Deputy Director National Policy and Compliance, FAA Office of Civil Rights; and
Kimberly Mason-Brown, Deputy Associate Administrator, FTA Office of Civil Rights

MAKING IT COUNT – PARTNERS IN EXCELLENCE

Best practices for running a successful DBE business and working with State DOTs
Panelists:
Prime Contractor: Mr. Wesley Stith, Clark Construction;

Prime Concessionaire: Mr. Ron Gomes, Vice President, Strategic Alliances, HMSHost;
State DOT: Tyra L Redus, Esq., Equity and Inclusion Officer, District Department of Transportation; and

DBE: Ms. Iberia Miles, Vice President, TreKnot Organization, LLC

EXPANDING THE POSSIBILITIES – TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SESSIONS
These workshops are designed to help you run your business well whether you’re just getting started or have been in business for a few years.

  • Obtaining and Retaining Your DBE Certification
    Tips for effectively navigating DBE certification process, maintaining certification, working in multiple states, and understanding joint venture and mentor-protégé arrangements that impact your certification.
    Panelists:
    Marc Pentino, Team Lead, DBE Division, U.S. DOT
    Departmental Office of Civil Rights;
    Sam Brooks, DBE Appeal Team Advisor, DBE Division, U.S. DOT Departmental Office of Civil Right; and
    Lakwame Anyane-Yeboa, Equal Opportunity Specialist, DBE Division, U.S. DOT Departmental Office of Civil Rights
  • Winning Contracts: Fundamentals
    Best practices for winning the bid to work with a prime contractor and public agencies.
    Panelists:
    U.S. DOT Procurement Specialist: (Invited);
    Small Business Administration: (Invited); and
    SBTRC: Craig Campbell, Mid-Atlantic Small Business Transportation Resource Center
  • Alaska Native Corporations
    New guidance pertaining to certification of Alaska Native Corporations.
    Panelists:
    Kenneth Martin, U.S. DOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tribal Affairs and
    Michael Harkins, U.S. DOT Deputy Assistant General Counsel for General Law
  • Ask the DOT DBE & Prime Contractor Networking
    One-on-one consulting sessions with FAA, FHWA and FTA DBE and Small Business Office representatives. Open networking between small businesses and prime contractors.

SMALL BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

Using Title VI to Protect Against Discrimination in Contracting

Panelists:

Leslie M. Proll, Director, U.S. DOT Departmental Office of Civil Rights;
Martha Kenley, FHWA National DBE Program Manager;
Wilbur Barham, Deputy Director National Policy and Compliance, FAA Office of Civil Rights; and

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

Representative from Minority Business Development Agency, Department of Commerce (Invited)

DOT Contractor Development Resources
How to leverage available DOT financial resources
Panelists:
SBTRC: Edward Timberlake, South-Atlantic Small Business Transportation Resource Center
Industrial Bank: Maria Randall (Invited)
SFAA: JoAnn Brooks (Invited)
SBA District Office: (Invited)
DBE Supportive Services: Supportive Services Group (Invited)

Emerging Issues in Certification

Panelists:
Marc Pentino, Sam Brooks, and Lakwame Anyane-Yeboa, DBE Division, U.S. DOT Departmental Office of Civil Rights