SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) PARTICIPATION

Submittal of DBE Utilization Plan (SBE 2026) and/or Good Faith Effort, and DBE Participation Statement (SBE 2025)

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Utilization Plans, including any documented Good Faith Efforts (GFE), and the DBE Participation Statement must be submitted at the time of bid in accordance with the DBE Special Provision and pursuant to federal requirements.

• DBE Utilization Plan (SBE 2026) and/or Good Faith Effort, and the DBE Participation Statement (SBE 2025) must be uploaded at the time of bid as a single .PDF document in the iCX application on the "AR - DBE Utilization Plan and Good Faith Effort" certification screen. (Refer to the "EBids User Guide" for instructions on uploading the file)
  
  
• It is the responsibility of all bidders to review the DBE special provisions accessible via the Transportation Bulletin website to ensure they are aware of contract specific DBE goal(s). In the event a discrepancy exists between the special provision(s) and the iCX application, the bidder is instructed to contact the IDOT Contracts Office at (217) 782-7806 or email DOT.DE-Contracts@Illinois.gov immediately.
  
  
• Warning! Failure to upload the correct .PDF document may result in bid being declared “not-responsive.” Use care in selecting appropriate file for upload.

After a post letting review, bids initially identified as outside the awardable range may be awarded. In the event the bid is declared non-responsive due to failure to submit a Utilization Plan or failure to otherwise comply with the bidding procedures, the Department may elect to cause forfeiture of the penal sum of the bidder’s proposal guaranty. Further, authorization to bid will not be granted on the project when advertised on a future letting.

1. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Utilization Plan For proposals that contain a Special Provision for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Participation it is the responsibility of the bidder to submit a DBE Utilization Plan (Form SBE 2026 and Form SBE 2025) as required by the Special Provision. Forms for the submittal of the Plan are available on the IDOT Web Site, in each district’s Bureau of Construction office or by calling IDOT’s Bureau of Small Business Enterprises at (217) 782-5490.
   
   DBE Plan submittal - As detailed in the Special Provision entitled "DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTICIPATION (BDE)"; bidders must submit Form SBE 2026 and Form SBE 2025 in accordance with the DBE special provision.
   
   SEE THE SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR SPECIFIC DBE GOAL PERCENTAGES
   
   
2. Illinois Unified Certification Program DBE Directory Pursuant to the requirements of the federal regulations, all state transportation agencies that receive federal-aid funds are required to implement a “one-stop” certification process for DBEs. As a result of this requirement, IDOT, together with the City of Chicago, CTA, Metra and Pace, has established the Illinois Unified Certification Program (IL UCP).
   
   The IL UCP maintains a DBE Directory to provide a reference source to assist bidders/proposers in meeting DBE contract goals. The DBE Directory lists the DBE-certified firms in alphabetical order with their address, contact information and specialty of work. It is the responsibility of the prime contractor/consultant to make his/her own determination regarding the capability of a DBE firm. Only those firms certified as of the letting date/bid opening may be utilized in meeting a DBE contract goal.
   
   
3. Supportive Services Consultants IDOT’s Office of Business and Workforce Diversity’s Bureau of Small Business Enterprises administers the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. The goal of IDOT’s DBE Supportive Services program is to provide assistance that fosters opportunities for DBE firms to participate in IDOT’s transportation-related contracts.
   
   IDOT contracts with outside consultants to provide its DBE firms with management and technical supportive services assistance. This assistance is provided at no cost to IDOT’s DBE firms, to those firms seeking IDOT DBE program certification, to IL UCP DBE-certified firms who hold (or are bidding on) IDOT contracts, and to prime contractors doing business with IDOT.
   
   Technical/Supportive assistance includes help with estimating and bidding, project site inspections, and prequalification assistance. Equipment and other resources are also available to IDOT DBEs and DBE firms certified in the IL UCP working on IDOT projects.
   
   Management assistance includes help with bonding, financing, financial planning, credit restoration, accounting systems, and business plans.
   
   An Intake Interview must be completed prior to being approved for one-on-one assistance. Please contact the Bureau of Small Business Enterprises at 217-782-5490 to find out more information.
   
   
4. FDIC Definition of Minority Depository Institution (Institutions in Illinois)
   Section 308 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA") requires the Secretary of the Treasury to consult with the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Chairperson of the FDIC Board of Directors to determine the best methods for preserving and encouraging minority ownership of depository institutions. Section 308 of FIRREA defines the term "minority depository institution" as any depository institution where 51 percent or more of the stock is owned by one or more "socially and economically disadvantaged individuals."
   
   Given the ambiguous nature of the phrase "socially and economically disadvantaged individuals," the FDIC's Policy Statement defines "minority depository institution" as any Federally insured depository institution where 51 percent or more of the voting stock is owned by minority individuals. "Minority" as defined by Section 308 of FIRREA means any "Black American, Asian American, Hispanic American, or Native American." The voting stock must be held by U.S. citizens or permanent legal U.S. residents to be counted in determining minority ownership.
   
   In addition to institutions that meet the ownership test, institutions will be considered minority depository institutions if a majority of the Board of Directors is minority and the community that the institution serves is predominantly minority. Institutions that are not already identified as minority depository institutions can request to be designated as such by certifying that they meet the above definition. Institutions interested in self-certification should contact the National Coordinator of the FDIC's Minority Depository Institutions Program.