Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Servi

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking an Offeror to administer a comprehensive and effective Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Supportive Services (DBE/SS) and Mentor Protege Programs (MPP). The DBE/SS is to provide Commonwealth-wide services through a regional approach for firms participating in PennDOT’s Federal-aid highway program. The primary purpose of the DBE/SS program is to increase the total number of minority and women owned business enterprises participating in the Federal-aid highway program. This shall be achieved by providing training, services, and assistance for these businesses to grow, become self-sufficient, become more competitive in pursuing federally funded contract opportunities and move into non-traditional areas of work and compete in the marketplace beyond the DBE program. The DBE Supportive Services program is funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); therefore, the program is governed by the enacting legislation and is compliant with relevant Federal and Commonwealth policies and procedures.  The Mentor-Protégé Program is a part of the DBE program. The primary purpose of the MPP is to further the development of DBEs, including but not limited to assisting them to move into non-traditional areas of work and/or compete in the marketplace outside the DBE program. This shall be achieved via the provision of training and assistance from other firms for both consulting and construction services and by providing, services and assistance for disadvantaged and underprivileged small businesses to grow. The MPP Program was developed in response to the PennDOT 2018 Disparity Study.Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Participation.  The requirements of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program set forth in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26 apply since this contract involves the use of Federal highway, transit or aviation funds originating from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is committed to providing opportunities for DBE’s to compete for work.The percentage of DBE participation will not be specified for this project, but the Selected Offeror will still be required to make a good faith effort to identify, solicit and use subcontractors certified under the DBE program.  Only those organizations certified by the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP) before the response date of this RFP qualify as DBE's. Document 3523R15 - DBE SS - PA Certified DBE’s, subject to change, is located in the RFP Buyer Attachments to assist with your search, but other certified DBE’s may be available. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to confirm the DBE’s certification, via the PA UCP webpage, PAUCP - DBE Certification Management System (dbesystem.com), prior to identification in the DBE submittal (EO-385). Refer to RFP Questions Group 1.2: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program for additional information and the EO-385 form required to upload your DBE submittal.THIS SOLICITATION MUST BE VIEWED ON JAGGAER. PROPOSAL SUBMITTALS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH JAGGAER. All Offerors are required to create a user profile within our JAGGAER portal.  Please access the JAGGAER website at: https://solutions.sciquest.com/apps/Router/SupplierLogin?CustOrg=CommonwealthPATechnical support is available via JAGGAER at:https://www.jaggaer.com/service-support/supplier-support or +1 (555) 000-0000.Preproposal Conference. This Conference will be held on June 6, 2024, @ 1:00 PM via Microsoft Teams. An RSVP is due via email to Betsy Novelli, contact@example.gov, by June 3, 2024, @ 3:00 PM EST. The link to the Microsoft Teams call, or call-in phone# and code for those without Microsoft Teams access, will be provided after registration. Please see the 3523R15 DBE SS Presentation contained in the RFP Buyer Attachments in the event you will not be able to use the link to join the call and must use the call-in phone number and code.