July 19, 2006
TriMet open house offers rail project participation tips
DBE & small businesses invited to July 25th event
Disadvantaged and small business owners are invited to a TriMet open house on subcontracting opportunities for the I-205/Portland Mall MAX Light Rail and Washington County Commuter Rail projects.
Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprises Open House Tuesday, July 25
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs
4134 N Vancouver Ave in Portland
The prime contractors will discuss subcontracting opportunities and how to qualify. Participants will also have a chance to meet the prime contractors working on the projects. Essential information will be provided on:
- Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) requirements
- Support resources
- Upcoming bid dates
- Contracting opportunities
- Certification information
"TriMet has had success demonstrating that DBEs can successfully participate in large-scale construction projects and this open house will provide useful contacts and technical assistance for our upcoming projects," said Bruce Watts, TriMet senior director of diversity and transit equity.
Building on Interstate MAX success
TriMet became a national leader in promoting opportunities for DBE and other small firms during Interstate MAX construction by removing barriers that typically keep DBEs from successfully competing on large projects.
Local DBE firms successfully competed for the work, securing 19 percent or $35 million of the contract dollars; with North and Northeast Portland DBE firms receiving $8.1 million. Additionally, minorities and women completed 35 percent of the workforce hours. This diverse workforce helped deliver the project ahead of schedule and millions under budget, demonstrating that a commitment to diversity also makes good financial sense.