 The AUCP recently lost our long time certification analyst Ann Pham as she has taken another position in the Alaska DOT&PF. Ann will be greatly missed and the AUCP certification team will continue her good work. Thank you Ann!
 The AUCP recently lost our long time certification analyst Tim Moses as he has retired from the work force. Tim will be greatly missed and the AUCP certification team will continue his good work. Thank you Tim!
 Join me in welcoming our new DBE's!
- Carlos Estimating, LLC
- Celestial Freight Solutions, Inc.
- Connico, LLC
- Crux Diving, Inc.
- SRL Enterprises, LLC
- The W Group Consulting Firm, LLC
- Tideline Construction, LLC
- Lead at Any Level, LLC
- Everpark Inc.
 Mini Grant Funding Support Program
Anchorage girls high school hockey receives $100K grant and new gear from Dick’s Sporting Goods
Broadway Alaska to bring ‘The Lion King’ to Anchorage in 2025
Glass recycling coming to Mat-Su next year
Alaska Air Group lays out plans for dramatic global expansion over 5 years
Biden administration sets Jan. 9 lease sale for potential drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
From mittens to groceries: Meet the woman helping kids thrive at Anchorage’s Russian Jack Elementary
UAF salmon productivity study looks to local experts as guides
2 Alaska seafood processors to pay $2.1M in wage lawsuit settlement
 To assist new DBE/ACDBEs in familiarizing themselves with the program, its requirements, and to learn more about the Civil Rights Office, we are pleased to announce monthly 'New DBE Orientations.' In collaboration with Alaska APEX Accelerators, these sessions aim to educate new DBE/ACDBEs on the purpose of the Civil Rights Office, compliance requirements, available support services, training opportunities, federal contracting opportunities, and more! Virtual orientations are scheduled to occur on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 10:30 AM via Zoom. Check out our website for more information: https://dot.alaska.gov/cvlrts/dbeorientation.shtml
 Attention small businesses! Is your small business interested in working in the federal contracting arena? Not sure how to write your capability statement? Unsure of what a capability statement is? Then look no further then Alaska APEX Accelerators! Alaska APEX is putting on trainings in January 2025 about federal contracting and capability statements. Make sure to check out their website for more info: https://apexalaska.org/events-services/schedule/
Training #1 Creating Capability Statements (2025 Update):
"Your business Capability Statement is a crucial tool in your marketing toolbox. It is a key document for marketing to government agencies; especially since can you can now attach your Capability Statement to your Dynamic Small Business profile! This webinar is designed to help you review your existing capability statement or to give you the directions needed to create one from scratch."
Training #2 Chasing Small Business Certifications (2025 Update):
"Although entering the federal contracting arena can be challenging, there is opportunity for small businesses. Solicitations under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) threshold are set-aside for small businesses reducing the competitive pool. But how do you know if your business qualifies as “small”? To add to the confusion, there are additional sub-categories under the small business umbrella: 8(a) Business Development Program, HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB or SDVOSB."
 A big thank you to AGC for the opportunity to attend AGC's Annual Conference! It is Alaska's premier networking event for the construction industry, featuring multiple days of professional development sessions, a vendor trade show, evening networking receptions, AGC's Excellence in Construction & Excellence in Safety awards luncheons, agency updates from DOT & DOD, and so much more! We had a fantastic time networking with business professionals, answering questions about our office, and participating in the buffet table! We hope to see you at the 2025 conference!
 Mat-Su Transportation Fair: January 30th 2025
10th Annual Alaska Black Business Expo & Summit: February 1st 2025
Bettye Davis African American Summit: February 8th 2025
Alaska Rural Small Business Conference: February 11th-13th 2025
University of Alaska Southeast Career Fair: February 25th 2025
 Each quarter, the Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights BDO Office will offer DBE and ACDBE firms valuable training opportunities to deepen their understanding of various topics. These sessions will be recorded and made available on the website for convenient access.
Quarter 2 Training: Topic TBD
Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Register here!
Quarter 3 Training: Topic TBD
Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Register here!
Quarter 4 Training: Topic TBD
Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Register here!
Quarter 4 Training: Topic TBD
Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Register here!
 The 50% DBE Reimbursement Program is designed to empower and support DBE firms in fostering the growth of their businesses and enhancing competitiveness in the marketplace. This initiative approves reimbursement of 50% of the costs incurred for work-related expenses. The financial assistance is targeted at aiding DBEs in covering expenses associated with bidding or completing work on current projects.
Who qualifies? DBE firms (including employees, owners, or on-site representatives) actively bidding on DOT Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) funded projects or registered on the Bidders Registration are eligible. Only certified DBEs with Alaska as their home base certification can participate in the 50% Reimbursement Program. DBEs certified in states other than Alaska are not eligible, though they can avail of other services provided by the DBE program.
Reimbursement Period for FFY2025: The reimbursement period spans from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Reimbursement submissions after the Federal Fiscal Year period closure (unless otherwise approved) will not be accepted.
Reimbursement Limit: The maximum reimbursement per qualifying DBE firm per benefit year is $2,500.00. An additional $2,500.00 may be submitted at the end of the Federal Fiscal Year (September 1-30) if funds are available, but this is not guaranteed.
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 In 2024 the AUCP has certified 11 Alaska DBEs and 27 Interstate DBEs!
The April 9th Final Rule impacted certification and we saw an increase in Interstate certifications. We also implemented the Small Business Element Concession (SBEC) program, last week we certified our first SBEC in Alaska and they are working at the Fairbanks airport!
Dani joins us at the new Compliance Specialist II focusing on our Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program.
"Hello, I'm Dani Sprague, and I'm a Midwest transplant who has called Alaska home for the past 10 years. My family and I love it here! My husband and I have raised five kiddos - one daughter and four sons, now aged 22-31 - and this year, we were thrilled to become grandparents for the first time.
With degrees in experimental and research psychology, I've had the privilege of working across a variety of industries. My career has included teaching social science and statistic courses as full time faculty at several Midwest colleges, as well as holding behavioral and mental health positions in Alaska. At organizations like Akeela, Cook Inlet Tribal Council and the Alaska Job Corps Center, I've contributed in roles spanning counseling, education, treatment, leadership, training, compliance, data analysis and quality assurance.
I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the Civil Rights Office in Anchorage and am excited to collaborate with my new team!"
 The Alaska DOT&PF CRO has received news of an upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) that may be of interest to DBE contractors. The City of Pelican, Alaska, is requesting proposals for a contractor to perform septic tank sludge removal and dewatering services. The RFP will be advertised on or about December 30, 2024, and will be available for download at the following link: https://www.cityofpelican.com/projects-pDF2h/bids-rfp.
 The Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office was excited to participate in the Alaska Works Partnership, Inc. National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) events in Anchorage and Fairbanks. NAW is a nationwide celebration that highlights the impact and value of Registered Apprenticeship programs in building a skilled workforce to meet industry demands, creating career pathways into quality jobs, and promoting racial and gender equity. These events provided a platform for employers, educational institutions, government agencies, and community-based organizations to showcase their apprenticeship programs, facilities, and apprentices, fostering collaboration across the ApprenticeshipUSA ecosystem. Through this involvement, the Civil Rights Office aimed to emphasize the importance of partnerships in advancing workforce development and increasing opportunities for all Alaskans.
We had a really good amount of student attend the 2024 Apprenticeship Expo put on by AWP in both Anchorage and Fairbanks. Students were eager to learn more about what jobs are available in the trade industry and they asked lots of questions! Our office was able to act as a resource to direct students to the proper apprenticeship program they were interested in, and explain some of the services our office offers, like our 50% reimbursement program for OJT apprentices/trainees. The Civil Rights Office is looking forward to being part of the 2025 Apprenticeship Expo!
 Join us for the 22nd Annual Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Conference, a pivotal event dedicated to supporting and empowering DBE, ACDBE firms and stakeholders. Since 2004, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Civil Rights Office has organized this annual conference, specifically designed for DBE and ACDBE firms, subcontractors, prime contractors, and other stakeholders in the construction and concession industries. The event delves into a wide range of topics, featuring expert speakers from Alaska and focuses on fostering an understanding of the complexities involved in doing business with local, state, and federal agencies. The conference offers a unique platform for participants to enhance their knowledge and skills through hands-on workshops, interactive panels, and in-depth discussions with industry leaders. Networking sessions provide valuable opportunities for DBEs and ACDBEs to connect with prime contractors, government representatives, and subject matter experts, facilitating partnerships and growth. Whether you're seeking to expand your business, stay informed about regulatory changes, or explore new contracting opportunities, this conference serves as a comprehensive resource. Best of all, the event is open to all participants free of charge, making it accessible to those looking to grow and thrive in the competitive marketplace.You can register for this event by scanning the QR code above or clicking HERE.
 The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has published a guide combating harassment in the construction industry.
The guide can be found here by clicking HERE.
Proving this guide along with the Company’s EEO policy to employees during a meeting would satisfy the EEO meeting requirements from the Form 25D-55H (Form FHWA-1273) (10/23) II.3(e): The contractor's EEO policy and the procedures to implement such policy will be brought to the attention of employees by means of meetings, employee handbooks, or other appropriate means.
 All firms are required to submit a Bidder’s Registration form before an Alaska DOT&PF project can be awarded. The Bidder Registration form must be submitted to the Civil Rights Office (CRO) on an annual basis beginning January 1 and is valid thru December 31.
Submit forms to dot.cro.forms@alaska.gov.
Beginning in 2025 Bidders List information including a listing of all Bidders, Vendor IDs, and applicable NAICS codes will be required to be submitted at the time of bid or negotiated procurement. More information to come!!
 The Civil Rights Office wants to hear from DBEs on their participation in the program! We're dedicated to empowering DBE firms to thrive and compete successfully in federally funded highway projects. This is your chance to share valuable feedback to shape the future of our programs and services. Your insights will help us enhance training, resources, and support designed specifically for your success. Take part in building a stronger, more supportive community for DBE firms. Share your thoughts through the DBE Participation Survey!
 This form is intended for individuals or representatives of entities who believe the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (Alaska DOT&PF), as a recipient of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) assistance, has not fulfilled its obligations under the requirements of 49 CFR Part 26. Submitting this form initiates the Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office (CRO) DBE Program Complaint process, which addresses allegations of noncompliance with responsibilities outlined in 49 CFR Part 26, including procedural deficiencies, compliance determinations, or other activities believed to violate these federal regulations. Complaints must be submitted in writing within 180 days of the alleged violation, and assistance is available for individuals who need help completing the form, including those with disabilities or Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Translation and interpretation services will be provided at no cost.
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