Mn/DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Intensive Bidding and Estimating Program Questions
- What is the start date of this project?
The Intensive Bidding and Estimating program will start upon full execution of the contract. It is anticipated to start by May 2011.
- Is the duration of the project 1) market to and reach out to firms, develop curriculum, 2) one year of training; follow-up with participants 3) then up to one year of follow-ups with participants?
The duration of the project will be at minimum twoyears with a possibility to extend for an additional year. To clarify, follow-up assistance is provided to those DBE’s that have completed the training and might need additional assistance in preparing or submitting a bid via BidExpress or by paper. The program follow-up is for evaluation purposes to determine program success.
- What methods of identifying small minority and women-owned businesses have been used in the past? (referencing Scope # 1)
The methods used in the past include the DBE Directory, participation at various Mn/DOT Business Development workshops and direct communication from the DBE. In addition, Mn/DOT Business Development staff attends various small business outreach events and provide information about DBE certification and our supportive services.
- What methods of identifying small minority and women-owned businesses have worked and not worked in the past? (referencing Scope # 1)
Please see response to Question #3.
- Do you have a list of company names, email addresses and NAICS Codes for current DBEs and potentialDBEs? (referencing Scopes # 1 and #2)
We use the DBE Directory which has all DBE contact information and NAICS codes that the business is certified in. The Directory can be obtained by going the to the Office of Civil Rights website
- What methods of reaching out to small minority and women-owned businesses have been used in the past? (referencing Scope # 1)
Please see response to Question #3.
- Approximately how many current DBEs and potential DBEs do you anticipate we will market to? (referencing Scopes # 1 and #2)
We are expecting to provide services to at least 60-80 DBE’s. The number that the provider markets to will depend on the attendance at the events/workshops. It most likely will be approximately 150 or more.
- Where will the one-on-one training take place? (referencing Scope # 3)
Training will take place at locations determined by provider most likely in same location as full class training. One-on-one training might also take place at the DBE’s place of business or other convenient location.
- Do you want a curriculum developed for the one-on-one training? (referencing Scope # 3)
No, this would be technical assistance based on an established curriculum. One-on-one assistance is to provide individualized assistance for the DBE.
- When would firms receive one-on-one training and when would they attend the ILT course for which the vendor is developing a curriculum? (referencing Scope # 3)
Participation in one-on-one training would be based on the need of the DBE business and the established curriculum.
- Can you be more detailed on what you anticipate post training assistance will include (phone calls, on-site visits, emails)? (referencing Scope # 4)
Post training assistance will conclude answering questions about bidding and estimating via e-mail, telephone or one-on-one visits.
- Please define length of ‘life of the contract’. (referencing Scope # 4)
The ‘life of the contract’ is the full term of the contract until it expires.
- Are you asking for the vendor to establish working relationships with organizations that hire construction businesses or organizations that assist with bidding and estimating construction projects? (referencing Scope # 5)
Providers will establish relationships with community organizations that provide minority and women-owned businesses training and education. This provides a referral base for those DBE businesses that need bidding and estimating training.
- Approximately how many community based organizations do you feel the vendor will need to contact and establish working relationships with for this project? (referencing Scope # 5)
There are approximately 10-15 community based organizations.
- Does the State of MN have a database to access the community based organizations NAICS Codes, if applicable, or a way of easily accessing applicable organizations services or products? (referencing Scope #5)
Responders can research the Internet to determine appropriate community based organizations that provide business services to minority and women-owned businesses. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes can be found at
- Will Mn/DOT provide content and/or SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) to the vendor for developing a training curriculum for bidding and estimating construction projects? Or, is the vendor required to have the knowledge or obtain the knowledge to develop the curriculum? (referencing Scope # 6)
The Provider should have the requisite knowledge, skills and ability to develop a curriculum on bidding and estimating within the construction industry. Mn/DOT has Subject Matter Experts to assist in the understanding of BidExpress and Mn/DOT’s bidding process.
- Will Mn/DOT provide content and/or SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) to the vendor for developing a training curriculum for using BidExpress, online bidding program? Or, is the vendor required to have the knowledge or obtain the knowledge to develop the curriculum? (referencing Scope # 6)
See response to Question #16.
- Is the duration of the class 4 to 5 weeks? (referencing Scope # 7)
Yes. It is expected the class to be conducted between 6-8 times per year.
- How many hours of seat time is each class? (referencing Scope # 7)
This would depend on the curriculum. It would possibly range from 80-100 hours for the entire Bidding and Estimating program.
- Please be more specific on number of estimated stand-up training days per year and number of estimated participants per year. (referencing Scope # 7)
Based on a 4-5 week training program conducted 6-8 times a year with approximately 10 per class it is estimated there will between 60-80 DBE’s.
- Where will the classes be held? Will Mn/DOT provide a classroom or does the vendor need to provide training facilities? (referencing Scope # 7)
Training will take place at locations determined by provider. The provider would have access to Mn/DOT training locations or other community locations.
- How is the one-on-one training different than the 4 to 5 week course? (referencing Scope # 7)
One-on-one training is additional assistance needed after or during the Intensive Bidding and Estimating training course. It provides additional assistance to the DBE on something they might have not understood during the class.
- Will Mn/DOT provide access to BidExpress (non-production environment) for the learners during the class? (referencing Scope # 7)
Yes, this can be arranged.
- Will all BidExpress users be required to take the classroom courses and one-on-one training, or can they choose which training method they prefer? (referencing Scopes # 3 and # 7)
The DBE’s will be required to take the classroom training with one-on-one as additional support, as needed.
- Does the audience have internet access or is hardcopy communication for feedback more appropriate for this audience? (referencing Scope # 8)
Most DBE business owners have access to the Internet however some hardcopy communication might be necessary.
- How much detail do you want included on the various estimating tools (overview? pros, and cons of each? demonstration of each? Uses or purpose of each?) (referencing Scope # 9D)
Please provide the level of detail you deem appropriate to demonstrate your level of knowledge, skill and ability.
- Will a SME provide the estimating tools to include and content about each tool? (referencing Scope # 9D)
Mn/DOT has a ‘How to Bid’ Manual that the general public has access to. Mn/DOT has bidding and estimating staff that could be of assistance.
- How many tasks would be included in the training materials for Bid Express (how many tasks can be performed using Bid Express?)
This would depend on how the curriculum is developed and could change based on the level of experience with BidExpress in the class.
- Do you have any existing training or documentation to leverage from when developing the Intensive Bidding and Estimating Program training? (referencing Scope # 11)
See response to Question #27.
- Do you have dedicated SMEs to provide content and to review content? (referencing Scope # 11)
Mn/DOT has bidding and estimating staff that can assist in content review and provide feedback.
- You are judging vendor proposals on their “bidding and estimating curriculum.” Are you expecting a curriculum to be included in the proposal? If not, please provide more detail on what you mean by this factor.
It is expected that a course outline, syllabus and potential tasks/activities will be submitted in response to this Request for Proposal.
- Will Mn/Dot arrange printing of all hardcopy documents (i.e. trainer guides and participant guides for all stand-up training classes, all marketing materials and all communication) or will this be the vendor’s responsibility? (referencing all Scopes)
It is expected that provider will build appropriate costs into the program budget that will include providing documents and other training materials for each DBE. Mn/DOT will provide program marketing assistance.
- What do you anticipate the duration of the one-on-one training to be for a single firm?
The one-on-one trainings will be based on the specific need of the DBE business. At minimum, a DBE needing one-on-one assistance will receive at least one hour of training.