Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities sent this bulletin at 04/01/2024 08:00 AM AKDT
Join us in welcoming the following new DBE's!
Brechan Construction, LLC
Ingco International
Project Management Controls Inc.
Automated Enterprises, LLC
Upcoming DBE Trainings
The Civil Rights Office will be hosting ‘New DBE Orientations’ monthly throughout 2024. The purpose of these orientations is to educate DBE’s who are new to the program on paperwork requirements, who to contact for help, and DBE tips and tricks. These orientations will be held on the 3rd Thursday of the Month at 11:00 AM and will be located on Zoom. Check out our website for more information:https://dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/.
Another Year, Another DBE Conference!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who joined us this March 5th and 6th for our annual Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Contractor Conference! We got to hear regional updates from the Northern, Central and Southcoast Regions, the lovely folks at Schwabe helped us further understand important updates to the DBE program from the legal perspective, and we got to hear Deborah Bonito speak about her experience with the ACDBE program. The Civil Rights Office would like to give a huge shout out to the fine folks at AGC who where one of our many partners in this conference, thank you AGC!
If you couldn't make it to this years conference, make sure to check out our website at: https://dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/dbealaska.shtml to watch the video recording of the conference. In addition, you will also find PDF's to all of the presentations and our pamphlet for the event.
If you haven't yet, make sure to fill out our post conference survey! This survey helps us perfect our DBE conference, we want to know what you liked about the conference, what you didn't like, and what you want to see next year! Want to know the best part about the survey? It only take 3 minutes! Let us know how you liked our conference by using the link: https://arcg.is/1PKqPC0, or scan the QR code above. We are excited to hear from you and we hope to see you next year!
Here at CRO, We Wear Many Hats!
Have you seen us around town? We have been to many events in the past few months and we plan to be at many more! Come see us at the:
And many more! Feel free to stop by and say "Hi" to us, we would love to hear from you!
Join us for Alaska Construction Career Day!
Alaska Construction Career Day (ACCD) is a day for high school students to explore the wide variety of construction and transportation careers. Labor unions, construction companies, University of Alaska, school districts, state agencies, trade and professional organizations collaborate to provide the students with an introduction to various aspects of construction. If you are or know a student who is interested, or if you would like to be a vendor at our event, check out our website: https://dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/accd.shtml
We hope to see you there!
What We're Reading
Check out some super cool articles that we have been loving recently:
Spring is here and everything is starting to wake up, including Alaska's bears. Respecting bears and learning proper behavior can help you avoid conflict and help you know how to react if you do see a bear. The Department of Fish and Game recommends the following tips when traveling in bear country:
"Born and raised in Anchorage Alaska. I graduated from Eagle River High School, where immediately after graduating I joined the painter and tappers union then transitioned into the labor’s union. After working in construction for a few short years, I retired my hardhat and moved to the Kenai Peninsula where I worked for an Airlines then in finance for 6 years.
My free time, I enjoy giving back to the community. In my early 20’s I started volunteering at a non-profit with their special events and serving Friday night dinners that focused on children and veterans of our community. At 27 I was elected President. I was the youngest president in the state of Alaska for the Benevolent and Protective Order of ELKS (the name of the non-profit). Simultaneously, I would also volunteer my weekends at our racetrack. Throughout the years I would inspect racecars, work the ticket gate and my last three years volunteering there, I was the voice of the racetrack, the announcer.
Currently, I am on the City of Kenai Committee Board, specializing in “beautification” assisting with keeping the charm to our small town. I love all that Alaska have to offer. From hiking, hunting to camping, my new recent hobby is I bought a motorcycle two summers ago where I can now smell and really feel the warm Alaskan summers as me and my boyfriend take long rides to Homer. I am so excited to be apart of the DOT team, to learn, grow and be a great contributor to the team. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming and helpful. This is truly such a wonderful department, and I am very honored to be here. Thank you for all for having me on board."
Favorites:
Favorite Drink: COFFEE, I usually drink it black. If I’m feeling fancy and want to buy a coffee, I’ll order a Vanilla macchiato.
Favorite Snack: I like mixed nuts, candy, and cheese balls.
Favorite Color: Dark Royal Blue
ADA in the Airport
The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing to strengthen its rule implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) to ensure passengers who use wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity.
The proposed rule would require that airlines do better in accommodating passengers with disabilities by setting new standards for prompt, safe, and dignified assistance, mandating enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs, and outlining actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged during transport.
The proposed rule also clarifies that damaging or delaying the return of a wheelchair is an automatic violation of the ACAA. For more information check out the U.S. Department of Transportation website at: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news
Did Someone Say "Training"?
Tha Alaska Safety Alliance hosts many valuable trainings that are vital to a safe and effective workplace. The Alaska Safety Alliance works with Alaska operator and contractor companies to provide Alaska-specific industry training that is comprehensive, relevant, and easily accessible for all workers, whether they live in a population center or a remote village. ASA also has a scholarship program.
The ASA Training Scholarship program was created to assist Alaskans who are interested in careers in oil & gas, mining, maritime, transportation, construction, or cross-industry. Scholarships are one way we can help ensure Alaskans have sufficient skills, training, and education for a successful career in Alaska.
Upcoming Training: What does your website say about you?
First impressions are everything, especially online. So, what is your website saying about your business to those first-time viewers?
Date: 4/25/2024 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (AKDT) Platform: Online Registration Deadline: 4/25/2024 8:00 AM (AKDT) Fee: No Fee Registration Link:akptac.ecenterdirect.com/events/6414
Join Jody King, Alaska APEX Contract Specialist, to take another look at what your website has to say about your business. The webinar will discuss how to ensure that website has the information needed to show agencies that your business is contract ready.
This is a free webinar and registration is required. Registration closes at 3:00pm one day prior to the scheduled webinar. Webinar instructions will be emailed the afternoon before the scheduled webinar. Webinar access will not be available if trying to register the morning of the webinar.
Know Before You Dig!
This spring, make sure to know before you dig by calling Alaska 811. Digging without knowing what's below you can cause serious problems for you and the people around you. Make sure to always check with the folks at Alaska 811 before you dig. For more information, check out their website at: https://www.811ak.com/.
Updates and Reminders from the Civil Rights Office
Job Site Posters
Spring is here and the construction season is just right around the corner. It’s time to review and update the notices and posters to stay incompliance with the construction regulations. Job site postings are important in order to make sure that all workers are aware of the legal protections available to them, and all employers are required to display many Federal and State posters on the job site for their employees.
Federal-aid construction contracts make this a requirement for contractors. On the Federal-aid funded construction projects, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires that the contractors display notices and posters at the site in areas readily accessible to employees. FHWA job site posting requirements can be found here: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/contracts/poster.cfm
DBE Size Standards
Effective March 1, 2024 the business size limit for applicant and certified DBEs seeking to participate in FHWA and FTA-assisted contracts is adjusted for inflation from $30.40 million to $30.72 million. A DBE firm must still meet the size standard(s) appropriate to the type(s) of work the firm seeks to perform in DOT-assisted contracts.
Don't forget to KNOW B4 U GO with the Alaska 511 map. This map updates in real time so you can see where the delays are. Before you plan your next summer road trip, make sure to check out 511 at https://511.alaska.gov/ to see where the road will take you!
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
