March 2010

Procurement Resources for DBEs

As the Ohio River Bridges Project progresses, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds are distributed and the economy begins to recover, businesses must be prepared with a business development strategy to capitalize on any opportunities that become available.

Many certified DBEs have developed business growth strategies through Entrepreneurial Development Institute programs offered by the Ohio River Bridges Project. These programs assist business owners with the development of a strategic plan for their business to guide them through the toughest times and manage their business into a new growth phase.

Being aware of opportunities to consider and respond in a timely manner should be the top priority of any business owner. Below are some basic resources for monitoring contracting opportunities for certified DBEs.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Resources
Division of Construction Procurement - This site contains vital information relating to the procurement of highway construction, improvement, and maintenance projects including notices of PRE BID MEETINGS. You can link to Lettings by date, electronic plan rooms and a list of prequalified contractors. Revisions are made frequently, it is necessary check back periodically for updates.

Division of Professional Services - This page contains vital information relating to the procurement of professional engineering and engineering-related services. Revisions are made frequently; it is necessary to check periodically for updates. This page includes links to pre-construction prequalification and Procurement Bulletins.

Division of Purchases (Includes Bridges Project right-of-way bid information) - The Division of Purchases implements programs and practices for the purchase of supplies, equipment, materials, services to maintain roadways, buildings, right-of-ways, etc.

The Division of Purchases offers an online resource for vendors and contractors to connect with procurement opportunities with KYTC and other areas of government. eProcurement.ky.gov (The eMars Vendor Self Service system) allows extended access to Vendor Registration, Browsing Current Bidding Opportunities, Viewing Recent Awards and Online Bidding when permitted.

This site provides a great deal of information and guidance on how to do business with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is certainly worthwhile for any business developing connections to opportunities.

Assistance is provided by the Customer Resource Center by email at Finance.CRCGroup@ky.gov or phone (502-564-9641 or toll-free 877-973-HELP). The Help Desk is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. EST.

Please see the KY DBE eNewsletter article in this issue explaining in detail the eProcurement system.

Louisville Metro Government and Other Local Resources
Louisville Metro Government continues to apply for and receive grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Of the grants received, $13 million in road and sidewalk improvements are awaiting approval from the Federal Highway Administration. All projects that include ARRA funds must include an element of DBE participation. (Louisville Metro, through its Human Relations Commission also certifies firms for its diverse supplier procurement program but KY DBE certification is required for ARRA projects.)

To monitor how ARRA funds are being spent on Louisville Metro projects, check in often for updates at http://www.louisvilleky.gov/recovery/Business_opportunities/.

There are two online resources for bid solicitations for Louisville Metro Government projects. To receive notifications vendors must register their firms on each of these web sites: http://www.demandstar.com/ and http://www.cityoflouisvilleplanroom.com/. However, it is not mandatory to register or have an email address to view this information and/or download the information; only access to a computer is necessary.

All Louisville Metro projects are advertised with Onvia Demand Star, but only construction projects are advertised with the City of Louisville Plan Room, which is managed by Lynn Imaging.

For additional information, Onvia Demand Star can be reached at (800) 711-1712 and Lynn Imaging can be reached at 502-499-8400.