Diversity Webinar Series
The Illinois Tollway hosts a series of webinars to highlight opportunities for new firms to do business with the Tollway. The Department of Diversity and Strategic Development helps small firms, specifically minority- and veteran-owned businesses, gain access to Illinois Tollway work through several different programs and initiatives. This webinar series is designed to help these firms learn about what is offered: from business technical and prequalification assistance to workforce development initiatives and more. By expanding the pool of potential firms, the Illinois Tollway not only creates opportunities for these businesses but also serves its customers by ensuring varied and competitive bids. The Building for Success webinar series takes place every Monday at 3 p.m.
Upcoming
Workforce Development Initiatives
Earned Credit Program and ConstructionWorks Program
Presented by Julia Garibay, DBE Program Manager, Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway Building for Success Webinar Series is highlighting key Illinois Tollway programs and initiatives. Next up, is a presentation on the Earned Credit Program and ConstructionWorks Program offering contractors the opportunity to earn contract bid credits in return for supporting the Tollway's efforts to increase diversity within the heavy highway construction industry.
Contractors from any size firm can earn Tollway bid credits when they hire and retain qualified trained workers from a pool of eligible job candidates, including historically underrepresented individuals. Bid credits give contractors a bidding advantage on Tollway construction contracts in a highly competitive industry.
This presentation provides an overview of how each program works and information for contractors interested in participating with the Tollway to create a pipeline of diverse men and women for construction industry careers.
Workforce Development Initiatives
Monday, September 28, 2020
3 - 3:30 p.m.
- Earned Credit Program
- ConstructionWorks Program
- Resources
Previous
Small Business Set-Aside Program
Presented by Andrew Schackelford, Small Business Specialist with the Chief Procurement Office
One of the ways the Tollway demonstrates its commitment to small business is supporting the State's Small Business Set-Aside Program (SBSP) as part of its Small Business Initiative. The Initiative puts small businesses in a position to succeed and grow by identifying select construction contracts, generally with values of approximately $1 million, specifically for small businesses to perform as prime contractors. The Tollway establishes small business goals for select construction contracts on a project-by-project basis.
Download a PDF of the Presentation here.
BEP Certification and FastTrack Application
Presented by Irma Lopez, Outreach Manager, Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS)
One of the ways the Tollway demonstrates its commitment is partnering with sister agencies like Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). The CMS BEP fosters an inclusive and competitive business environment for diverse firms — those owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities.
To participate as a BEP vendor on Illinois Tollway goods and services contracts or Job Order Contracting (JOC) Program contracts, businesses must have current BEP certification with CMS at time of bid. Register to learn more about the BEP certification process and requirements.
Download a PDF of the presentation here.
IDOT Consultant Engineering Prequalification
Presented by Jack Elston and Jenni LeSeure, Bureau of Design and Environment, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
This session detailed the consultant engineering prequalification process in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Topics Covered:
- Prequalification requirements
- Latest updates to prequalification
- The SEFC application
- Resources
Marketing Your Business in Times of COVID-19
Presented by Suzanne Stantley, Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program Provider, Griggs Mitchell and Alma
One of the ways the Tollway demonstrates its commitment is by encouraging contractors to connect with its technical assistance providers. The Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program is designed to prepare emerging and established transportation-related construction firms including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms, service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB), as well as small businesses to participate on highway and vertical construction contracts.
Download a PDF of the presentation here.
Estimating
Presented by Paul Murtagh, Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program Provider, Construction Business Development Center
One of the ways the Tollway demonstrates its commitment is by encouraging contractors to connect with its technical assistance providers. The Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program is designed to prepare emerging and established transportation-related construction firms including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms, service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB), as well as small businesses to participate on highway and vertical construction contracts.
Download a PDF of the presentation here.
Access to Capital
Presented by Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program Provider Deavay Tyler, Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce
One of the ways the Tollway demonstrates its commitment is by encouraging contractors to connect with its technical assistance providers. The Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program is designed to prepare emerging and established transportation-related construction firms including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms, service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) as well as small businesses to participate on highway and vertical construction contracts.
Download a PDF of the presentation here.
Partnering For Growth
The Building for Success Summer Webinar Series highlights key Illinois Tollway programs and initiatives, next up Partnering for Growth Construction Program. One of the ways the Tollway demonstrates its commitment is by encouraging contractors to assist disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise firms, as well as veteran and small businesses in remaining self-sufficient, competitive and profitable.
Download a PDF of the Presentation here.
Unbundling
This webinar series highlights key Illinois Tollway programs and initiatives, kicking off with contract unbundling. One of the ways the Tollway demonstrates its commitment to creating additional contracting opportunities for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms is by unbundling construction and professional engineering services contracts. This involves breaking down larger contracts into smaller jobs in amounts generally under $5 million.
Download a PDF of the Presentation here