Workforce and Business Opportunities

Past workforce and business opportunity activities

Information for Contractors

Oregon Department of Transportation is committed to working with our industry partners. The project team is currently hosting constructability review meetings and contractor briefings to provide information to interested contractors and gather feedback on design, specifications and potential risks.

We are applying to Federal Highway Administration to utilize a pilot program that allows for a local hiring preference. FHWA is offering the program to help states, local communities and the construction industry by providing contracting agencies with the flexibility to use hiring preferences and/or innovative contracting approaches not otherwise authorized by law.

View a PowerPoint about our application »

Pilot program information: Federal Register—Enhancing Highway Workforce Development Opportunities Contracting Initiative »

Past meeting materials, including meeting summaries and Q&A, are listed below. Links to future meetings will be provided as they are available.

Disadvantage Business Enterprise /Workforce Development Approach

Oregon Department of Transportation encourages Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Disadvantage Business Enterprises) to participate in contracts through the Civil Rights Program. Oregon Department of Transportation is implementing numerous strategies to position Disadvantage Business Enterprises for success and build a pipeline for future minority workers on the I-205 Improvements Project. Oregon Department of Transportation is hosting “Meet the Primes” matchmaking Disadvantage Business Enterprise events. In addition, to further Disadvantage Business Enterprise program goals, we will ask the project contractor to provide small business capacity strengthening, technical assistance and performance metrics.

Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity-certified Disadvantage Business Enterprises include small businesses that are at least 51% owned by:

• People who identify as Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian-Pacific Islander or Subcontinental Asian
• Women and other individuals on a case-by-case basis

Visit Oregon Department of Transportation’s Office of Civil Rights Disadvantage Business Enterprise webpage for more information.

Potential Disadvantage Business Enterprise Construction Opportunities

Oregon Department of Transportation has identified over 100 potential Disadvantage Business Enterprise and small business construction opportunities as part of the project.

Potential Opportunities »

Read about the project’s Disadvantage Business Enterprise approach and workforce opportunities »

Meetings and Materials

Past Meetings

Pre-Bid Virtual Networking Event: Friday, January 7, 2022, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. 

We are hosting a mandatory pre-bid meeting for all prime contractors and subcontractors to learn more about the first phase of the I-205 Improvements project.  

There will also be an opportunity for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Disadvantage Business Enterprises) and workforce providers to network with the potential prime contractors. 

• Meeting Agenda  »  

• Meeting Flyer »

• Meeting Roster »

One-on-One Final Phase 1A Meetings: November 18, 2021, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The project team presented an overview of the changes and design elements that have progressed since the previous one-on-one constructability review meetings conducted in July 2021.

• Notice for Contractors »
• Meeting Flyer »
• Presentation »

Meet the Primes Virtual Meeting #2: October 21, 2021, 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

We hosted a networking session for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Disadvantage Business Enterprises) and workforce providers who met with the potential prime contractors and learned about upcoming Oregon Department of Transportation construction opportunities and the I-205 Improvements Project.

• Meeting Flyer »
• Meeting Agenda »
• Presentation »
• Contact Roster »
• Meeting Q&A »

Meet the Primes Virtual Meeting: July 22, 2021, 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

We hosted a networking session for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Disadvantage Business Enterprises) and workforce providers to meet prime contractors, and learn more about upcoming Oregon Department of Transportation construction opportunities, and the project.

• Meeting Flyer »
• Meeting Agenda »
• Presentation »
• Meeting Q&A »
• Contact Roster »

Phase 1A Constructability Review and One-on-One Meetings: July 12–13, 2021

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the constructability of Phase 1A, which includes the Abernethy Bridge and OR 99E and OR 43 Interchanges. The project is now out for bid with bid award in March 2022.

Meeting Flyer »

Phase 1A Fact Sheet for Contractors »

Phase 1A Constructability Review Presentation  »

Phase 1A Constructability Review Materials

• Phase 1A Check Print
• Phase 1A Estimate (quantities only)
• Phase 1A Construction Schedule Overview
• Abernethy Bridge Draft Geotechnical Engineering Report
• Phase 1A DRAFT Specifications
• Questions for 1-on-1 Contractor Meetings
• Summary of Discussions from 1:1 Sessions with Contractors
• Notice to Contractors

Minority Contractors Task Force Meeting, July 9, 2021

• Workforce and Business Opportunities Fact Sheet 

Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors Constructability Review: May 21, 2021, 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the contracting and construction of the drilled shaft foundations for the Abernethy Bridge, as part of the I-205 Improvements project. Participants provided feedback on shaft construction; work bridge and access; sequence and schedule; and qualifications and contracting.

• Meeting Flyer »
• Presentation »
• Plan Sets »
• As-Builts »
• Meeting Summary »

Constructability Review – April 2, 2021

The project team hosted a Constructability Review Meeting with participation from construction industry partners to receive input on proposed design, specifications, and potential risks. The intent of the meeting was to provide information to interested contractors and subcontractors, communicate Tribal Employment Rights Office program requirements and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Disadvantage Business Enterprise) participation goals, and solicit input from industry on the project.  This input most notably resulted in Phase 1 being broken out into smaller bid packages.

• Meeting Flyer »
• Presentation »
• Plan Sets »
• Meeting Summary »