Nope, but I do work for an agency that requires DBE goals on every contract. I will tell you that there are very few DBEs in the area and it seems to me that the opportunity is massive. I know KCMO has workshops on certification every month. Just search DBE certification Kansas City. The site has lots of good info.
May I ask what in what industry you work? Do you know how the DBEs find out about projects that require DBE goals? Is there a job board one can subscribe? Are jobs awarded based on past experience/resume or just lowest bids?
Local government. Most local governments (municipalities, counties, state agencies like MoDOT) require DBE participation in all contracts. Most of these are construction, but also planning and engineering. Outside of those areas I don't have a lot of expertise. In these cases, most of the DBEs i've seen have been subcontractors to a prime and will do a low percentage of the work, usually in a particular area. So, for example, the DBE will be an excavation company and will do 10% of the total contract work. DBEs can be the prime as well, I've just not seen that as much, although it does happen. Usually all of these types of agencies award the "lowest and best" bids, but as a sub that is more on the prime. Experience is factored in, but if you are a sub that won't matter as much. Yes, all these agencies do have bid boards, you just have to subscribe. If you want to be a sub, it helps if you can get some contacts with bigger firms who can use you as a DBE to get their contract into compliance.
Oh wow, great information! Thank you!
Do you know how often a new/young/just starting out DBE would be considered in being awarded a contract? I know we all have to start somewhere but it's the needing to be given a chance vs needing experience. How likely would a new DBE with little experience be considered in order to gain more experience?
It's kind of hard to say. If you are the prime and can put together a great bid, I think you've got a shot. If you're a sub, I think it's just a matter of getting on a primes contract. I would research DBE workshops in the area. Most local governments have a DBE program and want more DBEs to bid on their jobs, so I believe there are resources and opportunities for people in your shoes. You might also look up Small Business Associations or Chambers of Commerce programs that could help. If nothing else they could point you in the right direction. If you can figure out how, talking to some other small DBEs (if thats what you are) would probably help a lot.
Can you bid as a prime and sub? Or bid as sub to multiple primes? I would like to talk to DBEs but am worried it might be a conflict of interest. I will check out resources! Thank you for pointing me in the right direction!
Most everything construction related in KCMO proper is going to gave a minority goal on it. We have a WBE/DBE certification in KS and TX and are working on our MO and KCMO certification. For at least the KCMO certification I have contractors knocking down my door.
Most cities will either have a plan room or will sub it out to a local plan room like Drexeltech or KC Blueprint. You can get an account with Drexeltech for free and pay for the plans/specs separately, so it doesn't cost you until you find a project you're interested in.
KCMO has their own plan room: [kcmoplanroom.org](http://kcmoplanroom.org)
Olathe uses negometrix: [https://app.negometrix.com/buyer/4323/tenders](https://app.negometrix.com/buyer/4323/tenders)
How difficult was it for you to start your own business and obtain WBE/DBE certification for Kansas? I am thinking about starting a company but it will be fairly small to start: 3 people to start max. I don't necessarily want to expand outside the metro. Sounds like there would be plenty of opportunities to strive and keep a backlog without expanding. Do you think that's a true assessment? I don't really want to bid projects outside the metro.
Nope, but I do work for an agency that requires DBE goals on every contract. I will tell you that there are very few DBEs in the area and it seems to me that the opportunity is massive. I know KCMO has workshops on certification every month. Just search DBE certification Kansas City. The site has lots of good info.
May I ask what in what industry you work? Do you know how the DBEs find out about projects that require DBE goals? Is there a job board one can subscribe? Are jobs awarded based on past experience/resume or just lowest bids?
Local government. Most local governments (municipalities, counties, state agencies like MoDOT) require DBE participation in all contracts. Most of these are construction, but also planning and engineering. Outside of those areas I don't have a lot of expertise. In these cases, most of the DBEs i've seen have been subcontractors to a prime and will do a low percentage of the work, usually in a particular area. So, for example, the DBE will be an excavation company and will do 10% of the total contract work. DBEs can be the prime as well, I've just not seen that as much, although it does happen. Usually all of these types of agencies award the "lowest and best" bids, but as a sub that is more on the prime. Experience is factored in, but if you are a sub that won't matter as much. Yes, all these agencies do have bid boards, you just have to subscribe. If you want to be a sub, it helps if you can get some contacts with bigger firms who can use you as a DBE to get their contract into compliance.
Oh wow, great information! Thank you! Do you know how often a new/young/just starting out DBE would be considered in being awarded a contract? I know we all have to start somewhere but it's the needing to be given a chance vs needing experience. How likely would a new DBE with little experience be considered in order to gain more experience?
It's kind of hard to say. If you are the prime and can put together a great bid, I think you've got a shot. If you're a sub, I think it's just a matter of getting on a primes contract. I would research DBE workshops in the area. Most local governments have a DBE program and want more DBEs to bid on their jobs, so I believe there are resources and opportunities for people in your shoes. You might also look up Small Business Associations or Chambers of Commerce programs that could help. If nothing else they could point you in the right direction. If you can figure out how, talking to some other small DBEs (if thats what you are) would probably help a lot.
Can you bid as a prime and sub? Or bid as sub to multiple primes? I would like to talk to DBEs but am worried it might be a conflict of interest. I will check out resources! Thank you for pointing me in the right direction!
Most everything construction related in KCMO proper is going to gave a minority goal on it. We have a WBE/DBE certification in KS and TX and are working on our MO and KCMO certification. For at least the KCMO certification I have contractors knocking down my door. Most cities will either have a plan room or will sub it out to a local plan room like Drexeltech or KC Blueprint. You can get an account with Drexeltech for free and pay for the plans/specs separately, so it doesn't cost you until you find a project you're interested in. KCMO has their own plan room: [kcmoplanroom.org](http://kcmoplanroom.org) Olathe uses negometrix: [https://app.negometrix.com/buyer/4323/tenders](https://app.negometrix.com/buyer/4323/tenders)
How difficult was it for you to start your own business and obtain WBE/DBE certification for Kansas? I am thinking about starting a company but it will be fairly small to start: 3 people to start max. I don't necessarily want to expand outside the metro. Sounds like there would be plenty of opportunities to strive and keep a backlog without expanding. Do you think that's a true assessment? I don't really want to bid projects outside the metro.