DBE Supportive Services

Did you know that Caltrans often hosts events that give you, the DBE Certified Firm, an opportunity to meet, interact, and possibly get business from not only Caltrans but other public agencies? Well, one of Southern California's biggest Caltrans events is just a month away! The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the San Diego Public Agency Consortium (PAC) are proud to announce the 15th Annual Procurement and Resource Fair!... At this event, you will have the opportunity to network with over 30 public agencies, including all of the PAC agencies, purchasers from District 11 Caltrans Divisions, Construction and A&E prime contractors, and resource agencies that can assist you with the certification process, small business loans, and other areas that are challenging for small businesses. Current agencies set to attend this popular event include: Caltrans, SANDAG, North County Transit District, San Diego County Water Authority, Port of San Diego, San Diego Housing Commission, Metropolitan Transit System, University of California San Diego, San Diego International Airport, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, San Diego Unified School District, NAVFAC Southwest, Small Business Development Center, City of San Diego, County of San Diego, Metropolitan Water District, City of Carlsbad, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Fallbrook Public Utility District, Employment Development Department, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, California Highway Patrol, City of Santee, Flatiron, Skanska, Stacy, and Witbeck, Governor's Office of Business and Economic Opportunity, Granite Construction, Helix, Jacobs, MCTC, Robertson Working Capital, Sundt, Swinerton, U.S. Small Business Administration. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet purchasers and industry professionals face-to-face, network, and expand your business knowledge! Event Details: When: Wednesday, October 30, 2019 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PDT Where: Balboa Park Club Ballroom 2150 Pan American Road West San Diego, CA 92101 Cost: FREE! Register Today at https://tinyurl.com/2019caltrans

Did you know that Caltrans will often host pre-bid meetings as an opportunity for you, the DBE Certified firm, to interact and engage with the prime contractors? Did you also know that MOST DBE Certified firms do not show up! Well, here is your chance!... District 12 (Orange County) is hosting a mandatory pre-bid for the upcoming to add one lane in each direction between SR-73 and Oso Pkwy, Reconstruct Avery Pkwy IC and add Aux lane where needed. Mandatory MEANS that any prime contractor that wishes to bid on this project MUST attend or they are not eligible to bid. This project is estimated to have a spend of about $120,000,000 with a 17% DBE Goal. For those of you who, like me, have a hard time with math; this project's DBE goal equates to over $20 million! DAY: Monday DATE: September 16, 2019 TIME: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (BE EARLY, AS LATE ARRIVALS MAY NOT BE PERMITTED) LOCATION: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans); 1750 East 4th Street, Suite 100; Room 104; Santa Ana, CA 92705 YOU MUST PREREGISTER: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg

Did you know that you can advertise your business FOR FREE on the Caltrans Website? In doing so, you can expose your company to all the other companies viewing the opportunities AND expose your company to Prime Contractors, FOR FREE: http://ppmoe.dot.ca.gov//oe/weekly-ads/all-adv-projects.php. On each announcement, you will see an "Opt In." Don't worry too much about the opportunity itself but rather focus on just getting your name out there. Part of marketing is name recogn...ition and you have to be consistent! Here's what you do: 1. Create an "Opt In" template that is simple and easy to decipher. For example: ABC Company is a B licensed general contractor specializing in concrete. Most recently we completed a curb and sidewalk project for Caltrans as a subcontractor to XYZ Corporation. We have a bonding capacity of $500,000. Certifications: SB(Micro) #29381 DBE #9262 (if you have the capability to create a url link to your capabilities statement, you can include the link in your "Opt In." You want to be sure you include what you do, a reference to what you have done, and your certifications with numbers; keeping your "Opt In" short, sweet, and to the point. 2. Place your "Opt In" on every possible "Opt In" that makes sense for you, for example, if you are restricted by location then only place your "Opt In" with those opportunities within your districts. In case you didn't know, the first two numbers on the announcements designates the district. Thanks and have a great rest of your week!

Did you know you can identify potential prime contractors by going to the Caltrans Website: http://ppmoe.dot.ca.gov//oe/weekly-ads/all-adv-projects.php? Most advertised bids have a section titled "prime contractors looking for help" complete with contact information. Now, although these prime contractors may not offer you an opportunity right away, as you build rapport and trust through consistent communication and marketing; an opportunity might come up that is perfect for... you. These prime contractors can't subcontract to you if they don't know you exist! Need help? Email us at [email protected]

Had a GREAT time in San Bernardino, District 8, presenting "I'm Certified, Now What!" with about 40 attendees! Thank you, District 8 for having us!