534-27 DBE Certification

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Division of Small Business and External Workforce Development, is soliciting proposals for professional services to support the Office of Small Business Services. The selected vendor will assist in the administration of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE), and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) programs to ensure compliance with USDOT regulations under 49 CFR parts 23 and 26. Key responsibilities include conducting desk and on-site certification reviews, performing triennial reviews, processing NAICS code additions, drafting program standard operating procedures, conducting investigations, and performing quality assurance reviews of ODOT staff. The contract is anticipated to run through June 30, 2027, with potential extensions. Qualified proposers must provide key personnel with at least five years of experience in DBE/ACDBE certification and investigations. The Technical Lead must have three to five years of experience with NAICS codes, six months of experience drafting program manuals or SOPs, and must be located in Central Ohio during the onboarding process. The award will be based on the lowest cost per quality point, following a phased evaluation that first verifies mandatory requirements and then assesses technical scores. Proposals must be submitted via OhioBuys and include an implementation plan, a staffing plan, and a separate cost proposal in Excel format. Payment is processed via electronic funds transfer, typically within 30 calendar days of receiving a proper invoice.