The Small Business Development Program (SBDP) is an innovative race- and gender-neutral program that empowers small, underutilized construction businesses to compete for ODOT contracts and gain valuable experience as prime contractors.
Purpose
The purpose of ODOT's Small Business Development Program (SBDP) is to identify public improvement projects that are suitable for qualified small businesses to undertake as prime contractors and aid participating businesses in competing for public improvement contracts that ODOT procures. Through this program, we will increase the ability, capacity, experience, and number of construction contractors doing business with ODOT.
Benefits
The Small Business Development Program:
- Establishes a race- and gender-neutral small business program for prime contracts.
- Awards up to $25 Million of construction contracts to qualified small businesses annually.
- Identifies public improvement contracts that are suitable for small construction businesses to undertake as prime contractor.
- Provides a repository of resources to assist qualified small businesses in preparing competitive bids that meet specifications.
- Designates staff who are familiar with the challenges that small businesses face in competing for public improvement contracts to provide support and assistance.
Background
ODOT spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually on projects and programs to improve the transportation system. These projects benefit the state’s construction, engineering, and supplier industries.
While state and federal programs encourage equitable distribution of economic opportunities, there are gaps in the funding types or contract amounts in those programs. This means small businesses have limited opportunities to gain experience and capacity working on prime contracts with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
ODOT is committed to prioritizing equity and inclusion to ensure all Oregonians benefit from transportation investments. Through this program, we will increase the ability, capacity, experience, and number of construction contractors doing business with ODOT.