00619252

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1991/1310/1310-009.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...dtke&publication_year=1991

An investigation was undertaken to enhance the communication between prime contractors and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) subcontractors participating on Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) projects. First, questionnaires were mailed to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to compare the implementation procedures among the various DBE programs and identify perceived communication difficulties and potential enhancements. Personal interviews were then conducted with 25 prime contractors and 20 DBE firms in Wisconsin to identify specific communication difficulties and possible alternatives. Difficulties that the prime contractors described include (a) lack of DBE response to contracts, (b) too much effort required to solicit DBE interest in projects, and (c) lack of available information on DBE capabilities. The DBE firms were found to have only minor difficulty obtaining information prior to the monthly bid letting. Their difficulties were related to project-specific issues, including job site scheduling and receipt of timely payments. Five alternatives to enhance the communicaiton process were identified and developed. The first alternative makes DBE project history and nonfinancial information more available to prime contractors when they contact the WisDOT DBE Support Service Office. The second alternative increases the availability and usefulness of the planholders list. The third alternative furnishes pre-bid information to contractors' personal computers. The fourth alternative identifies in the DBE directory which DBE contractors are actively pursuing state work. The fifth alternative identifies prime contractors' and DBE firms' interest in projects using a touch-tone computer system.

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1310, Construction Innovations 1991. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

01407141

p. 65-72

1991

Transportation Research Record

0309051193

Figures (4) ; References (3) ; Tables (5)

Alternatives analysis; Communication; Contractors; Data collection; Disadvantaged business enterprises; Interviewing; Problem identification; Problem solving; States; Subcontractors; Surveys

Administration and Management; Construction; Highways; I10: Economics and Administration; I50: Construction and Supervision of Construction

TRIS, TRB

Feb 29 1992 12:00AM

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