Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs)

TriMet encourages and supports Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in competing for contracts.

Workers on the Interstate MAX
Yellow Line construction project.

Existing and future construction projects

Over the next several years, TriMet will be constructing the I-205/Portland Mall MAX Light Rail Project and the Washington County Commuter Rail Project. These projects will expand TriMet’s existing service and create jobs and opportunities for small businesses.

I-205 Light Rail will bring high-capacity transit service to Clackamas County, Milwaukie and Southeast Portland via a MAX line along I-205 between Clackamas Town Center and Gateway Transit Center. Portland Mall Light Rail will revitalize 5th and 6th avenues downtown while adding MAX service between Union Station and Portland State University. Washington County Commuter Rail will connect to MAX Light Rail in Beaverton and serve Washington Square, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville.

Prime contracting teams

DBE Program

The program is designed to create opportunities and build the capacity of state-certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises as prime and subcontractors on TriMet’s rail projects. TriMet’s General Manager has committed that the program will continue community involvement by local DBE firms and staff will continue to implement the innovative approaches used for the Interstate MAX project to ensure a level playing field by all firms.

Ensuring an equitable playing field

TriMet staff will coordinate with prime contractors, subcontractors and other agencies to provide opportunities for DBEs and employ creative problem solving methods to build business capacity. Efforts will include working with the prime contractors to:

• break scopes of work into smaller bid packages to encourage small contractors to bid
• rotate contracting opportunities created within a division of work
• develop mentorship opportunities between smaller and larger firms
• achieve a 16 percent participation goal for DBEs on TriMet construction projects

Contracting opportunities

TriMet staff and the prime contractors will identify subcontracting areas with the best potential for DBE participation. Some of these include:

• Concrete
• Masonry
• Landscaping
• Paving
• Electrical
• Trucking
• Excavating
• Traffic controls
• Painting

Technical services for subcontractors

Marketing

TriMet is updating its online DBE Directory, which helps small firms to market themselves to prime contractors. The directory highlights each firm’s expertise, experience on similar projects, insurance and business philosophy. If you would like your firm to be included in this directory please contact dbe@trimet.org. The directory is provided to all contractors as they seek to bid on segments of the projects, and it is available online.

Networking & workshops

TriMet will host networking sessions throughout the year to provide DBEs and other small contractors with access to prime contractors and large subcontractors seeking smaller subcontractors. In addition, TriMet and other agencies will provide workshops on topics such as bonding, contracting, professional services contracts, etc.

Technical assistance

TriMet staff will work with prime contractors to provide technical and business assistance to DBEs and other small businesses to ensure they are able to perform contracted work. DBEs can get help with contract performance and bonding issues, DBE and EEO certification and OCIP forms.

DBE certification

For information about how to get certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, contact the OMWESB office at 503-947-7976 or obtain certification forms at www.oregon.gov/DCBS/OMWESB/.

Workforce Training & Hiring Program

In response to a nationwide trend of diminishing qualified trade craft workers in the construction industry, TriMet employs the Workforce Training and Hiring Program to maximize apprenticeship opportunities on TriMet projects for people of color, women and economically disadvantaged workers in the construction trades.

TriMet is committed to increasing the pool of workers for future public works projects. To that end, TriMet has the following workforce program goals:

• for contractors to provide workforce training opportunities
• to increase from 17 percent of workforce hours performed by apprentices to 20 percent
• for workforce diversity to reflect makeup of the Portland Metropolitan area

Find out about contracting opportunities

If you would like to be notified of future bidding opportunities that match your firm's capabilities, please register as a vendor in our online system.

TriMet DBE Program contacts