DBE Needs Assessment Survey For DBE Firms In Highway Construction
In order to achieve the goals of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services Program (DBE/SS), the Ohio
Department of Transportation, Division of Equal Opportunity must determine what services would increase the participation of
DBE firms in Federal-Aid Highway (FHWA) contracts. The answers from this Needs Assessment Survey will become the basis for
developing the annual DBE/SS Program that will help DBE firms participate, grow, diversify, and build capacity to successfully
compete in the highway industry as consultants, contractors, service providers and suppliers. Feel free to add additional pag es if
necessary. DBE firm’s home office must be located in Ohio.
It is imperative that you complete this survey/assessment. This is the initial step in the process for acquiring approval for
reimbursements. Failure to complete and return the survey/assessment may result in your firm being denied reimbursement for
services.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
DBE firm must perform work with:


ODOT highway construction or consultant services whether prequalified or non-prequalified, Local Public Assistance (LPA)
work, Other Governmental construction/consultant work
DBEs that perform highway construction services or professional services for other firms as a subcontractor or
subconsultant
This survey is voluntary; however, your input is vital and greatly appreciated.
Business Name:
Owner:
State:
Address:
Fax:
City:
Zip:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
Have you participated in any of ODOT’s DBE Supportive Services programs?
If yes, please check all that apply:
Yes
No
One-on-One Supportive Services Consulting
Training/Technical Assistance Reimbursement
Software Reimbursement
Prequalification Audit/review Reimbursement
Mentor/Protégé Program
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Business Work Categories
Identify the type(s) of work you generally perform. Please check all categories that apply:
Asphalt
Concrete Paving & Incidentals
Earthwork, Base & Subbase
Fencing
Hauling
Lighting & Signal Maint.
Landscaping
Major Structures
Minor Struct./ Misc. Concrete
Painting & Striping
Rest Areas (Construction)
Traffic Control Devices
Guardrail Repair
Debris Clearing/Removal
Mowing
Litter Pickup & Disposal
Cleaning & Sweep. Hwys.
Building Construction
Rest/Picnic Area Maint.
Hazardous Material
Pavement Markers
Engineering
Wholesale Material Supply
Surveying
Other
Legal and Compliance Assessment
Buy/sell agreement or succession agreement available & appropriate
Yes
No
Not Sure
Legal representation available
Yes
No
Not Sure
Work contract agreements available & appropriate
Yes
No
Not Sure
Federal & state compliance met
Yes
No
Not Sure
Contractor agreements available
Yes
No
Not Sure
Legal formation developed & appropriate
Unsure / Unknown
Yes
No
Identify
S Corporation
Partnership
Corporation
Sole Proprietor
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Market Evaluation
Marketing brochure
Yes
No
Website
Yes
No
Adequate marketing plan available
Yes
No
Industry market assessment completed
Yes
No
Demographic / competitive influences identified
Yes
No
Target market identified (ODOT primes)
Yes
No
Adequate networking / professional memberships
Yes
No
Do you participate in Minority Contractor's Associations?
Yes
No
Business communication materials
Yes
No
Appropriate accounting method
Yes
No
Accounting system in place and up to date
Yes
No
Computerized accounting system
Yes
No
Professional accountant
Yes
No
Financial statements regularly reviewed and analyzed
Yes
No
Customer credit polices and procedures in place
Yes
No
Adequacy of Accounting Records
Financial Condition
Outstanding federal/state tax or other financial obligations
Yes
No
Current credit report available
Yes
No
Adequate credit score
Yes
No
Current credit accounts
Yes
No
Adequate capital resources
Yes
No
Cash flow issues?
Yes
No
Account write off procedures in place
Yes
No
Appropriate accounts receivable procedures
Yes
No
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Financial records available
Yes
No
Monthly adjusting entries (i.e., depreciation, amortization, interest)
being made timely and in the proper amounts and in the proper places
Yes
No
Risk Management
Employee security issues addressed
Yes
No
Company safety requirements meet
Yes
No
Appropriate insurance coverage
Yes
No
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
Yes
No
Safety and Flagging
Yes
No
Hazardous Communication
Yes
No
Work Zone Safety
Yes
No
Has your company had the following safety training:
Workforce Analysis
Number of Employees:
1-10
11-25
25-50
Appropriate number of employees
Yes
No
Personnel manual available and adequate
Yes
No
Turnover issues identified
Yes
No
Employee training needs meet
Yes
No
Adequate employee pay scales and benefits
Yes
No
Bid preparation procedures
Yes
No
Appropriate and competitive bid estimates
Yes
No
Bid follow up procedures
Yes
No
Have you bid as prime on ODOT projects in the last 2 years?
Yes
No
Have you bid as subcontractor on ODOT projects in the last 2 years?
Yes
No
Are you currently working on ODOT projects?
Yes
No
Bidding & Estimating
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over 50
Please list:
Project No.
Project No.
Project No.
Bidding: Please indicate the largest contract you have bid on in the last 2 years.
Under $100,000
$100,000 - $200,000
$201,000 - $300,000
$301,000 - $500,000
Over $500,000
Construction Business Analysis
ODOT Pre-Qualified Bidder
Yes
No
Appropriate Construction Work Categories
Yes
No
Bonded
Yes
No
Bonding Capacity Range: Please check one category.
Under $100,000
$100,000 - $200,000
$201,000 - $300,000
$301,000 - $500,000
Over $500,000
Knowledgeable of ODOT Inspection Procedures
Knowledgeable of Project Scheduling Procedures
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Yes
No
Yes
No
Knowledgeable of ODOT DBE Program Requirements
Submitted Significant Number of Bids
Knowledgeable of Work Zone Safety Requirements
Knowledgeable of Environmental Document Requirements
Appropriate Equipment Resources
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
List available equipment:
1.
Own
Lease
2.
Own
Lease
3.
Own
Lease
4.
Own
Lease
6
Need Assistance Areas:
Accounting
Overhead Audit
Accounting Software
Analysis
Job Cost Control
Preparing Budget
Cost Reports
Management
Business Planning
Time Management
Business Law
EEO/Affirmative Action
Workers Comp
Fed/State Compliance
Financial
Cash Flow
Financing
Working Capital
Loan Packaging
Bond Packaging
Construction
Davis-Bacon
Estimating/Bidding
Lien Law
Marketing
Market Strategy
Market Plan
ODOT Introduction
Sales
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Legal
Contracts
Schedule/Planning
Pre-Bid Conference
Plans Specs
Project Schedule
Labor Bar Chart
Delay Costs
Material Delivery
Computer Training
Software
Hardware
ODOT Website
When bidding or working on federally-funded highway contracts either as a contractor or a consultant, do you feel that minorityowned and/or women-owned businesses encounter more barriers than the standard business?
Yes
No
Not Sure
If yes, why?
What do you feel are the biggest barriers to bidding or working on federally-funded highway contracts either as a contractor or a
consultant?
Are you encountering these barriers?
Yes
No
Not Sure
If yes, what do you think is the cause?
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Do you feel you need improvement in any areas of business or project management?
Yes
No
Not Sure
If yes, please list those areas.
What types of training or assistance do you believe would help in the area(s) listed above?
Are you interested in growing your business and bidding on highway contracts as a prime contractor?
Yes
No
Not Sure
If yes, what types of training or assistance do you feel would be beneficial in attaining that goal?
Type of training or assistance
How would it help?
Are you interested in expanding your business beyond your current work category(ies)?
Yes
No
Not Sure
If yes, what types of training or assistance do you feel would help?
Type of training or assistance
How would it help?
Would you be willing to mentor other DBEs in helping them bid successfully and perform better on federally-funded highway
contracts?
Yes
No
Not Sure
If yes, what types of technical assistance would you be willing and able to provide?
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