Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Civil Rights

Ensuring equal opportunity for all businesses and personnel on our projects

Equal opportunity and workforce programs

Post-letting (bid results)

Contractors’ responsibility to create equal employment opportunities does not end once the final bid results are posted. 

Specifically, all apparent low bidders (ALBs) on highway construction projects must be aware that the following contractual requirements may apply:

  • On-the-job training: Review Special Provisions, Division S, of the proposal to determine if the project has an on-the-job training goal;
  • Tribal employment: Review the Special Provisions Relating to Indian Employment in the proposal to determine if there are tribal employment requirements; and
  • Workforce plan: Submit a workforce plan if the apparent low bid is $5 million or more.

The OJT program assists in creating a diverse workforce through training people of color, women and disadvantaged people in highway construction trades.

If there is an OJT goal, the ALB must submit the OJT Program Proposal (PDF) within five business days of the letting date.

For questions, contact the OJT Coordinator.

MnDOT works collaboratively with tribal governments to ensure maximization of employment opportunities for the state’s American Indian population.

If there are tribal employment requirements, the ALB must work with the local Tribal Employment representative to ensure compliance. Find more information about working with Tribal governments.

For questions, contact the Contract Compliance Specialist assigned to the region.

Workforce plans help contractors reach workforce employment goals for women and people of color on highway construction projects. These goals, established by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, are intended to:

  • Reduce employment barriers
  • Respond to demographic shifts
  • Ready the state for a looming workforce shortage

If the apparent low bid is $5 million or more, the ALB must complete a Workforce Plan within five business days of the letting date. Watch how to complete a Workforce Plan (YouTube).

Since the workforce goals vary across the state, regional templates with the specific workforce goals are available below.

For questions or assistance with determining the county location of the project, please contact the Equal Employment/Contract Compliance Specialist assigned to the region.

Two-County Metro

Counties: Hennepin, Ramsey
Workforce employment goals - Women: 20%
Workforce employment goals - People of color: 32%

Five-County Metro

Counties: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, Washington
Workforce employment goals - Women: 15%
Workforce employment goals - People of color: 22%

Central

Counties: Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Renville, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright
Workforce employment goals - Women: 12%
Workforce employment goals - People of color: 15%

Southwest

Counties: Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Sibley, Swift, Waseca, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine
Workforce employment goals - Women: 9%
Workforce employment goals - People of color: 15%

Southeast

Counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmstead, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona
Workforce employment goals - Women: 9%
Workforce employment goals - People of color: 15%

Northwest

Counties: Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin
Workforce employment goals - Women: 9%
Workforce employment goals - People of color: 12%

Northeast

Counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis
Workforce employment goals - Women: 9%
Workforce employment goals - People of color: 12%

Notice to contractors

Federally funded contracts

For all lettings on or after Oct. 23, 2023, contractors must physically incorporate the revised FHWA Form-1273 in all Federal-aid subcontracts and lower-tier subcontracts.