2023 Transporter Newsletter Quarter 2

New Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Firms:

We need your input for the following public comment notices: 

⫸ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal Methodology FFY 2023-2025. This public comment period is open from March 17, 2023 until April 17, 2023 at 5:00 PM AKDT.

⫸ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Goal Methodology FFY 2021-2023. This public comment period is open from April 3rd, 2023 until April 24th, 2023 at 5:00 PM AKDT. 

Read more information here. 

What is a QAR? The purpose of the Quality Assurance Reviews is to collect and track data on all hired On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program Apprentices/Trainees. Direct interviews with OJT employees assists the Civil Rights Office ensure compliance on federally-funded FHWA projects. The data gathered during a Quality Assurance Review (QAR) will help improve the integrity of the OJT program and will ensure the OJT employees are treated with respect in regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age and disability. 

What is a CCR? The Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) requirements of a contract are enforced through Contract Compliance Reviews (CCR) and conducted by the Contract Compliance Office in Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights section. In agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) ADOT&PF is required to perform a designated number of CCRs annually. Read more here. 

Why we do this work! Here is a great example of why we travel all over Alaska to speak to the elders and community members about upcoming projects.  In February, our team member Angelo Tutaan hosted a Post-Award Conference for an upcoming airport construction project in New Stuyahok. Once Angelo, Project Manager and ASRC Engineer landed they were greeted by the city’s administrator, Jerry Walcott. Over the radio, Jerry broadcasted to the community, the start of the New Stuyahok Airport Resurfacing Project PAC. Within minutes, community members arrived.

The meeting started with a brief introduction and covered a few technical aspects of the project. Later, they discussed economic impacts, and job opportunities. The New Stuyahok community expressed concerns of losing these jobs to neighboring villages. Russel (ASRC Civil) assured the community that the jobs they are hiring for are for the community of New Stuyahok, and that they are already in the process of reviewing credentials of community members for hire, for the first leg of the project. This project is estimated to be completed around September 2023. Images provided by Angelo Tutaan, Civil Rights & Compliance Specialist

Construction Projects in Alaska and where to find them! It's officially Spring in Alaska and you know that means -  construction on every corner. But exactly on which corner? DOT is excited to introduce the Alaska Project Exchange Mapper (APEX).  This interactive map shows all of the construction projects in the state and you can even search using your address to see what's happening in your neighborhood. Check it out here.

Thank you!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who joined us this March for our annual Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Subcontractor Conference!

This year we wanted to focus on going back to the basics of the DBE program, highlighting helpful resources, updates on regional projects and so much more! View agendas, recordings and helpful material here. 

Submit a 50% DBE Reimbursement Today!

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:
• 50% Reimbursement Program Instructions
• 2022 DBE 50% Reimbursement Program Application

Reminder: Application approval is at the sole discretion of Alaska DOT&PF CRO DBE Business Development Office. 

Change in DBE and ACDBE Size Standards

New! Funding & future funding projects!

⫸ Anchorage Fairview neighborhood to receive $537K in federal grant to ‘reconnect’ community. 

⫸ Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska is going to receive $4.4 million. The project will increases North Terminal capacity by installing common use equipment and upgrading the baggage handling system.

⫸ The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities is receiving six grants from the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, nearly $286 million, will improve the condition and quality of the Alaska Marine Highway System, which runs 3,500 miles and serves 35 communities.