2022 Transporter Newsletter Quarter 1

Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities sent this bulletin at 12/22/2021 08:00 AM AKST

Please join us in welcoming Zhenia C. Peterson (she/her) to the State of Alaska, DOT&PF Civil Rights Office. Zhenia graduated from Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School in 2012 and got their bachelor’s degree in Social Work from University of Alaska Anchorage in 2016. Previously to joining CRO, Zhenia worked for Department of Public Health in various Administrative positions, including Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, the Alaska State Public Health Laboratory, and the COVID Admin Team. Prior to joining the state, Zhenia has over 7 years of experience as an organizer in the community in causes like reproductive rights and grassroots civil rights movements. With their administrative background and passion for civil justice and equity, Zhenia is a great addition to our team. They look forward to ensuring that transportation services are provided in a non-discriminatory manner and to Keep Alaska Moving!

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FFY 2021-2023 DBE Goal Methodology Update

As of the close of business Friday December 3rd, 2021, the Civil Rights Office concluded the public comment period for the proposed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FFY 2021-2023 DBE Goal Methodology. No public comments on the proposed methodology were offered by public comment prior to the end of the comment period.

The proposed DBE goal is 10.56% to be achieved through race-neutral means. The CRO has submitted the methodology to the FAA for review and concurrence. The CRO will work with the FAA Office of Civil Rights, on any recommended guidance. A copy of the Goal Methodology is available on the Civil Rights Office website.

Bidder Registration

Annually, all firms are required to submit a Bidder's Registration Form before an Alaska DOT&PF project can be awarded. Email completed form to: Taylor White at taylor.white@alaska.gov.

Plan Holders Self-Registration List

Don’t forget to self-register for the Plan Holder Self-Registration List! This list allows DBEs, SBEs, and non-DBE subcontractors and consultants to self-register as interested in bidding on a project. Click below to learn more:

Notification of Change Requirement for Currently Approved DBEs

All DBEs must inform CRO in writing of any change in circumstances affecting firm's ability to meet size, disadvantaged status, ownership, or control requirements of the DBE program or any material change in the information provided in your application form. Changes can include:

Firm's ownership and/or control
Firm is requesting additional NAICS codes
Other significant changes

You must attach supporting documentation describing in detail the nature of any changes and/or supporting the addition of your request for any new NAICS codes. You must provide the written notification within 45 days of the occurrence of the change.

Using the Annual No Change Declaration Form, email all changes to Sarah Starzec at sarah.starzec@alaska.gov. If your document is greater than 4MB, you can submit to State of Alaska Dropbox.

Annual Submission Requirement for Currently Approved DBEs

Annually, all certified DBEs are required to submit the following documents prior to their anniversary date:

Submit the Annual Submission Requirement via email to: Sarah Starzec at sarah.starzec@alaska.gov. If your document is greater than 4MB, you can submit to State of Alaska Dropbox.

We aspire to send all certified vendors an email reminder 30 days prior to your anniversary date. However, this is not always possible and should not be relied upon. We strongly recommend that your DBE anniversary date be added to your internal company calendar to keep track of the date by which your annual update is due. As a reminder, please keep your email address current with us.

Transition to AASHTOWare Project

As a reminder, the CRO has transitioned to using AASHTOWare Project for all our record keeping. All DBEs must be registered on the Alaska DOT&PF AASHTOWare Project Vendor List.

Galaxy Wire & Cable, Inc.
Coho Integrated Solutions, LLC
UrbanTrans Consultants, Inc.
4Transit, Inc.
Florida Cleaning Systems, Inc.
Grant Writers, LLC
RC Plowing & Trucking, LLC

We’re excited to announce that Civil Rights Office will be changing divisions to the Operate within Statewide Design & Engineering Services. This change won’t affect the way we serve our DBE firms, but it will help the CRO work more closely with our construction engineering counterparts on the DOT&PF team!

Title VI Nondiscrimination Program Plan

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Civil Rights Office (Alaska DOT&PF CRO) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by:

The Alaska DOT&PF has submitted the new FFY2022 Title VI Nondiscrimination Plan to The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Alaska Division Office, as required by 23 CFR § 200.9.

The Alaska DOT&PF will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its federally funded programs and activities and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin.

Check out our Alaska Construction Career Opportunities Promotional Video!

Alaska DOT&PF recently partnered with Alaska Works Partnership, Inc., AGC, Alaska Ironworkers 751, Alaska Construction Career Days, Alaska Apprenticeships & Training Coordinators Association and Alaska Public Media to create a promotional video for Alaska Construction Career Day!

The 19th Annual Alaska DBE & Contractor's Conference

Are you an Alaska small business who wants to learn how to fine-tune your business infrastructure for growth and to diverse your service? Then this conference is designed for you! As a participant, you will receive opportunities for business development through workshops, networking, prime contractor matchmaking session, and engage in dialogue with industry subject matter experts. Come meet the experts and influencers in the local transportation and construction industry. Gather information, network, and market to potential clients.

Date: March 2022
Location: TBD
Registration: Coming Soon!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: DBE Firms, Small Businesses, Large Prime and General Contractors, Construction Managers, Finance and Insurance Providers, Consultants and Small Business Advocates.

Interested or need more information? Reach out to Aaron Nickols at aaron.nickols@alaska.gov or call at 907-269-0850.

DBE Procurement Training

Interested in learning how procurements work from the DOT&PF procurement professionals? Look for the upcoming training from the Civil Rights Office and the Alaska DOT&PF Procurement teams. The training will include how to look for, view, and prepare for procurements your business might be missing out on.

DBE 50% Reimbursement Requirements & Application

As an Alaska DOT&PF certified DBE firm, the Supportive Services 50% Reimbursement is available. The DBE 50% Reimbursement Program Provides 50% of the cost you paid for work related expenses. Up to $2,500 can be reimbursed annually per DBE. Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis and are date stamped by the CRO. Applications are available via our website:

Approval of applications is contingent upon the following:

Funds available
Qualified DBE firm or On-Site Representative
Only certified DBEs, whose home base certification is the state of Alaska, are eligible to participate in the 50% Reimbursement Program (DBEs whose certifying home state is not Alaska will not be eligible for reimbursement).
Qualified training or assistance program(s)
Completed application with supporting documents

Reminder: Application approval is at the sole discretion of Alaska DOT&PF CRO DBE Business Development Office. Submit application to Aaron Nickols at aaron.nickols@alaska.gov.

Are you a newly certified DBE?

Maybe you’re looking to move your business in a different direction. Is your DBE firm an interstate certified firm and looking to expand operations into Alaska? The DBE Support Services team in the CRO is here to help. We can help you find the right resources to grow your business in Alaska.

Learn about our partners at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and the Alaska Small Business Administration (SBA).

The CRO Office is here to help your firm grow!

To do that, we need to know what your business needs. If you have questions, comments or concerns reach out to the Civil Rights Office team! Contact Us.

The DOT&PF operates Federal Programs without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Full Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy: dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml. To file a complaint go to: dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/titlevi.shtml

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

This service is provided to you at no charge by Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.