Small business program information
MnDOT Office of Civil Rights administers three programs designed to assist women, minority, and/or socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses in contracting opportunities on MnDOT projects. The project funding determines which programs and goals apply.
Federally funded contracts
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
MnDOT's DBE Program was established by the federal government to ensure women- and minority-owned businesses have the opportunity to participate in contracts financed in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
State-funded contracts
Targeted Group Business and Veteran-Owned Small Business Programs
MnDOT’s TGB and Vet Programs provide small businesses with increased access to state-funded contracting opportunities.
Good faith efforts toward meeting a DBE, TGB or Vet goal
Program regulations governing the DBE, TGB and Vet Programs require that a bidder must meet the project goal or make adequate good faith efforts toward meeting the goal. Bidders who fail to meet the requirements are deemed non-responsible. Program regulation allows the bidder the opportunity for an administrative reconsideration of the determination.
The administrative reconsideration is an informal hearing before a Reconsideration Panel which acts as the MnDOT official. The panel is comprised of independent MnDOT personnel who were not involved in the determination that the contractor was a non-responsible bidder. The Reconsideration Panel reviews the good faith efforts of the bidder.