Small and diverse businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. They form the heart of our communities, offer local employment, and contribute to the well being of all Pennsylvanians.
With nearly 40,000 miles of roadway and 25,000 bridges maintained by PennDOT, the department works with a variety of stakeholders – including the private sector – to maintain the state’s transportation network and keep people and goods moving. Across the state, 1,576 projects are underway or expected to start or go out for bid in 2022, with a total value of $7.9 billion.
PennDOT understands the vital role that small, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) play as private sector partners and is here to ensure there is a level playing field on which small and diverse businesses operating throughout the Commonwealth can compete fairly for contracts.
To that end, PennDOT will host a one-day conference, Pathways to PennDOT on October 18 to connect DBEs to the resources and opportunities at PennDOT that can help their firms grow.
“Small and diverse businesses are central to our communities, and our economy,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “I'm thrilled to host this conference and to help facilitate connecting these critical businesses to opportunities with PennDOT.”
The conference is open to DBE firms, primes, contractors and industry leaders, and will cover such topics as DBE certification, the PennDOT prequalification process, branding strategies, and a panel discussion on best practices from current DBE’s, among other sessions. Additionally, firms can learn how to participate in PennDOT’s Mentor-Protégé program, which connects DBEs with prime contractors to gain and expand experience in the industry.
Register today to participate.