 March/April 2025 | 37th Edition
Equity Line brings you the newest content relevant to your business. Whether you work in transportation-related fields, construction, or just drive Oregon’s roads and have an interest in what ODOT is doing for the Oregon economy, Equity Line is a newsletter you will want to read.
Save the Date! Doing Business with ODOT Virtual Work Session
Thursday, May 1, 2025, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PST
on Microsoft Teams
You are invited to learn about how your business can work with the Oregon Department of Transportation including opportunities for:
- Certifications
- Small and Disadvantaged Business Programs
- Upcoming projects
- Procurement training
- Meeting prime contractors
For questions and more information contact ocrprograms@odot.oregon.gov.
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ODOT launches 2025 Availability Study Update
We seek to ensure equitable outcomes for all our work across Oregon. As part of this commitment, we are working to increase the number of minority- and women-owned business receiving ODOT contracts and performing work in our communities.
ODOT has contracted Keen Independent Research to assist with the 2025 Availability Study Update and will assist in identifying businesses that are available to perform ODOT and local government contracts and subcontracts.
There will be virtual townhalls scheduled in spring 2025 to learn about this ongoing work. Please stay connected with us to learn the latest!
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 Small Business, Big Opportunities: A Quick Guide to ODOT’s Small Business Programs
ODOT's Emerging Small Business (ESB) and Small Business Development Program (SBDP) are both race- and-gender-neutral programs that offer unique opportunities for small construction firms. This guide provides a side-by-side comparison how the programs differ and contact information for program managers.
 Rules changing for the DBE Program
Th US Department of Transportation announced several revisions to the rules for administering the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, effective May 9, 2024. The rule changes are an effort to significantly modernize DBE programs across the country. Notable changes include: updates to personal net worth, thresholds for inflation, new rules for counting of material suppliers, and updated certification provisions that allow flexibility when determining eligibility.
As we learn about how these rules will impact doing business with ODOT, we will continue to update our contracting community on how to get certified and to bid on our projects. USDOT is maintaining a webpage with the current guidance on these rule changes.
Reach out with questions to ODOT’s DBE Program Manager Diponker Mukherjee
by email or at 971-283-4636.
AASHTOWare Project and ODOT
ODOT is now using AASHTOWare™ Project (AWP) modules to improve project management. AWP enables the management of information throughout the entire lifecycle of a construction contract – from cost estimation, proposal preparation, bid letting, construction and material management, and civil rights and labor data collection.
AWP modules are used to perform these functions:
- Create engineer's estimates
- Manage bid letting and award processes
- Meet requirements for civil rights and labor
- Administer construction contracts
- Enter material reports and data
If you contract with ODOT and would like to learn more about AWP and how it improves project management these additional resources are for you!
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Looking for ODOT Contract Opportunities? These resources are for you!
Schedule of Upcoming Projects Current Bid Opportunities in OregonBuys
Bid Express Alternative Contracting
 ODOT brought the latest apprenticeship and small business programs news to the AGC Annual Conference in February. Cye Fink presented ODOT’s apprenticeship program and Ailsa Kellam on the recently launched Small Business Development Program.
If you’re in the Portland area, be sure to meet up with Small Business Navigator Joe Hanseling at monthly meetings of Portland Business Development Group (PBDG), National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC), and Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME).
Small Business Navigator Omar Alvarado can be found at Salem area events with industry partners Latino Business Alliance (LBA) and Salem Capitol Connections.
Is there a business event you want Small Businesses Programs Navigator you want to attend? Please email us with more details!
Learn more about ODOT’s programs and event outreach here.
Business Diversity Institute (BDI) empowers economic growth and fosters inclusion for small and diverse businesses in Oregon. In 2023, BDI reported 179 businesses served, more than 210 diversity practitioners engaged, and 4250 hours of training provided. Learn more about this ODOT partner here: Non-Profit 501(C)(3) - BDI - Business Diversity Institute Portland, Oregon
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Business Expo West by BESThq, April 10, 2025, Beaverton, OR
OAME 37th Annual Trade Show, May 8, 2025, Oregon Convention Center
Learn more
BDI Leadership Recharge Conference, April 23 - 25, 2025, Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, OR
ACEC-ODOT Conference, May 13, 2025, Salem Convention Center
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