Project Information

Bid Title

Small Business One to One Technical Assistance

Issuing Agency

State Government of Minnesota

Location

Minnesota

Published Date

Jun 25, 2026

Closing Date

Jul 2, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Small Business One to One Technical Assistance

Brief Description: The State needs professional and technical assistance to provide services that will enhance the growth and development of at least 80 certified small businesses that pursue MnDOT work. Certified small business: – a certified small business means any business certified under the federal disadvantaged business enterprise program or a small business enterprise program approved under 49 CFR 26 or 49 CFR 23. Certified small business also includes firms who are targeted group/veteran owned/economically disadvantaged certified by the Minnesota Department of Administration.

Date posted: 06/11/2026
Due date: 07/02/2026

• RFP Part A
• RPF Part B
• Scope of Work
• Questions
• DBE Special Provisions

Attachment Preview

Small Business One-on-One Technical Assistance

Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

The State needs professional and technical assistance to provide services that will enhance the growth and development

of at least 80 certified small businesses that pursue MnDOT work.

Certified small business: – a certified small business means any business certified under the federal disadvantaged

business enterprise program or a small business enterprise program approved under 49 CFR 26 or 49 CFR 23.

Certified small business also includes firms who are targeted group/veteran owned/economically disadvantaged

certified by the Minnesota Department of Administration.

The goals of this project are to:

1. Ensure that certified small businesses have necessary expertise, assistance, and planning to take on projects and

compete as prime contractors.

2. Enhance certified small businesses’ understanding of State Specifications and Bidding requirements and develop

opportunities for them to bid on State projects as a prime contractor.

3. Increase the pool of certified small businesses by providing certification support.

4. Build the capacity of certified small businesses in a greater variety of State work types and improve their ability to

perform on MnDOT projects by providing scope-specific technical assistance and training.

5. Reduce the risk to the State, prime contractors, and certified small businesses through the services provided in this

contract.

PROJECT SCOPE

1. Project Kick-off Meeting – Successful Responder will participate in a project kick-off meeting

2. One-to-One Technical Assistance – Successful Responder will provide technical assistance and coaching to improve the

overall business operations of certified small businesses seeking work on MnDOT projects. Focus areas of this service

will include, but are not limited to:

A. Job Costing

B. Bidding and Estimating

C. Reading plans and specifications

D. Use of AASHTOWare and Bid Express

E. Change Orders and other MnDOT Documentation

F. Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling

G. Payroll Submission

H. Business Finances and Accounting Software

I. Implementing a Safety Program

3. Specialized Support for Plan Reading, Bidding, and Estimating – Successful Responder will assist certified small

businesses in understanding MnDOT bid packages and scopes of work.

A. Plan Reading

B. Bidding and Estimating for Specific Scopes of Work

4. Specialized Support for Small Business Certification – Successful Responder will support small businesses seeking

certification through the MnUCP application/certification process, and small businesses pursuing DBE reevaluation

1

Small Business One-on-One Technical Assistance

Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

following the Interim Final Rule (IFR) published on October 3, 2025 by the USDOT changing the Federal regulations

governing the DBE program.

A. Personal Narrative

B. Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement

C. Certification application requirements

5. Mock-bid workshops and webinars – Successful responder will deliver at least three in-person “Mock Bid” interactive

workshops to provide certified small businesses hands-on experience with specification and plan reading, estimating,

and bidding on an example highway heavy construction project (content may be the same for each workshop).

5.1. In preparation for the workshop, deliver up to 5 training courses for certified small businesses that will assist

participants in participating in the mock-bid exercise, along with competing for and performing on MnDOT

projects. Training will be delivered as e-learning or pre-recorded webinars.

6. Marketing and Outreach – Successful responder will provide information/descriptions to develop marketing materials

describing the services being provided and promote programs.

7. Reporting – Successful responder will provide monthly invoices, quarterly and final reports.

TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

The Successful Responder and/or its Subcontractors, who are not State employees, will perform the following tasks:

1.0 Project Kick-off Meeting

1.1. Schedule and facilitate a project kick-off meeting (virtual) with the MnDOT Project Manager (PM) and other team

members to discuss project objectives, expectations, and communication channels for the project. During this

meeting the project contract, work plan, budget, deliverables, and timeline will be discussed.

2.0 One-on-One Technical Assistance

2.1. Provide one-to-one technical assistance and support to certified small businesses that pursue MnDOT projects by

meeting with certified small business firm owners in a virtual or in-person format.

2.1.1. Successful Responder will prioritize providing technical assistance and support at a time that is

most convenient for the certified small business owners being served by this project.

2.1.2. Technical assistance and support should include, but is not limited to, the following topics:

2.1.2.1. Job Costing

2.1.2.2. Reading plans and specifications

2.1.2.3. Bidding and Estimating

2.1.2.4. Use of AASHTOWare and Bid Express

2.1.2.5. Change Orders and other MnDOT Documentation

2.1.2.6. Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling

2.1.2.7. Payroll Submission

2.1.2.8. Business Finances and Accounting Software

2.1.2.9. Implementing a Safety Program

2.1.2.10. Project Management & Field Operations

2.1.3. MnDOT will provide link to an exit survey that the Successful Responder will share with

participants who receive one-to-one technical assistance.

2

Small Business One-on-One Technical Assistance

Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

Deliverables

A. Provide one-to-one technical assistance and support to certified small businesses.

B. Track technical assistance provided and submit documentation to MnDOT PM that includes:

i. Name of firm

ii. Certification status of firm (DBE, TG/ED/VO, non-certified, etc.)

iii. Name and contact information of participant

iv. Assistance provided and/or topics covered

v. Delivery format utilized (virtual or in-person)

vi. Date of each technical assistance session

3.0 Plan Reading, Bidding, and Estimating

3.1 Develop and provide guidance pertaining to plan reading, bidding, and estimating that can be tailored to

individual certified small businesses and specific project requirements.

3.1.1 Develop guidance on how to read and understand blueprints, specifications and plans associated

with MnDOT projects.

3.1.2 Assist certified small businesses in understanding MnDOT bid packages and scopes of work.

3.1.3 For projects with an estimated cost of at least $1,000,000: Successful Responder will assist

certified small businesses in identifying the portions of the bid package that are relevant to their

scope of work and help reduce the intimidation factor to encourage participation on MnDOT

projects. This guidance will help certified small businesses identify what aspects of a plan/project

correlate to their area of work.

Deliverables

A. Provide a draft version of guidance materials (handouts, presentations, etc.) to the MnDOT PM for review.

B. Provide final versions of all materials to the MnDOT PM.

C. Deliver guidance and assistance to certified small businesses.

D. Track participation and submit documentation to MnDOT PM that includes:

i. Name of firm

ii. Certification status of firm (DBE, TG/ED/VO, non-certified, etc.)

iii. Name and contact information of participant

iv. Assistance provided and/or topics covered

v. Delivery format utilized (virtual or in-person)

vi. Date of each technical assistance session

4.0 Specialized Support for Small Business Certification

4.1 Provide support to non-certified small businesses seeking certification through the MnUCP application /

certification process. Assist non-certified small businesses through the process by providing answers and detailed

support with the application.

4.2 Provide support to small businesses pursuing DBE re-certification following the Interim Final Rule (IFR) published

on October 3, 2025 by the USDOT changing the Federal regulations governing the DBE program. Topics of

support will include:

4.2.1 Personal Narrative

4.2.2 Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement

3

4.2.3 Certification application requirements

Small Business One-on-One Technical Assistance

Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

Deliverables

A. Provide plan for one-to-one certification support to the MnDOT PM for review.

B. Deliver guidance and assistance to certified and non-certified small businesses.

C. Track participation and submit documentation to MnDOT PM that includes:

i. Name of firm

ii. Certification status of firm (DBE, TG/ED/VO, non-certified, etc.)

iii. Name and contact information of participant

iv. Assistance provided and/or topics covered

v. Delivery format utilized (virtual or in-person)

vi. Date of each technical assistance session

5.0 Mock-bid workshops and webinars

5.1 Deliver at least three in-person “Mock Bid” interactive workshops to provide certified small businesses hands-on

experience with plan reading, bidding, and estimating on a sample small highway construction project (same

project may be utilized for all workshops).

5.1.1 Workshop must be able to accommodate up to 20 participants.

5.1.2 Successful Responder will factor costs for the following: refreshments (note: meals are not an

allowable cost), supplies, printing and distribution of workshop materials, and other such

materials/services needed for conducting the workshop.

5.2 Provide instructors that are Subject Matter Experts (SME) in their field of instruction.

5.3 In preparation for the workshop, deliver up to 5 training courses for certified small businesses that will assist

participants in participating in the mock-bid exercise, along with competing for and performing on MnDOT

projects. Training will be delivered as e-learning, pre-recorded webinars, or both. The Successful Responder may

propose innovative platforms to deliver trainings to certified small businesses. Topics should be targeted to those

with limited experience in government contracting. Topics must include, but are not limited to, the following:

5.3.1 Finding projects, reading bid notices and understanding requirements

5.3.2 Reading plans and specifications

5.3.3 Estimating work

5.3.4 Preparing and Submitting a Bid

5.3.5 Post-bid follow up, negotiation, and job kickoff

5.4 Obtain approval from MnDOT’s PM on curriculum and materials including:

5.4.1 Proposed schedule including topics and format (pre-recorded webinar, etc.)

5.4.2 Draft training presentation materials and handouts

5.4.3 Draft evaluation form to assess the effectiveness of each training to be completed by participants

5.4.4 Proposed list of presenters and SMEs

5.5 Ensure that pre-recorded webinars and other eLearning materials comply with MnDOT standards for accessibility

(e.g. providing accurate closed captions for audio content).

5.6 Document participation in all trainings, including registration, attendance, and participant evaluations.

Deliverables

A. Provide proposed training plan to MnDOT PM for approval within 30 calendar days of contract execution.

4

Small Business One-on-One Technical Assistance

Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

B. Provide schedule and outline for trainings to MnDOT PM for approval at least 60 days prior to beginning of first

training.

C. Submit final curriculum and training materials to MnDOT PM for approval at least 60 days prior to beginning of

each training.

D. Submit training evaluation form to MnDOT PM for approval within two weeks of expected training date.

E. Track participation (registration and attendance) and submit documentation to MnDOT PM that includes:

i. Name of firm

ii. Certification status of firm (DBE, TG/ED/VO, SBE, non-certified, etc.)

iii. Name and contact information of participant

iv. Completed evaluation form for attending participants

6.0 Marketing and Outreach

6.1 Provide information/descriptions to develop marketing materials describing the services (developed in Tasks 2.0

through 5.0) being provided (template will be provided by state).

6.1.1 Marketing materials must comply with MnDOT standards for accessibility.

6.1.2 Draft versions of all marketing materials must be submitted to the MnDOT PM within 30 days of

contract execution for review and approval. All marketing materials must be reviewed and

approved before distribution.

6.2 Distribute marketing materials to certified small business stakeholder groups in coordination with MnDOT.

6.2.1 MnDOT will assist in promoting services through newsletters and stakeholder groups.

6.3 Present information about the program and services to certified small business stakeholder groups such as the

Collaborative, and coordinate presentation activities with MnDOT.

Deliverables

A. Provide information to develop marketing materials for the One-to-One Technical Assistance program and

services.

B. Distribute marketing materials to relevant stakeholders.

C. Provide presentation of information about this program to relevant stakeholder groups.

7.0 Reporting

7.1 Quarterly Reports

7.1.1 The MnDOT PM will provide the Successful Responder with the reporting template to be used.

7.1.2 Quarterly reports will be submitted within 15 calendar days after the end of each quarter.

7.1.3 Quarterly reports will include the following required information on each firm and participant that

used any of the services during the quarter:

7.1.3.1 Name of firm

7.1.3.2 Certification status of firm (DBE, TG/ED/VO, non-certified, etc.)

7.1.3.3 Contact information (email, phone, mailing address)

7.1.3.4 Name of individual participant and their role in the firm

7.1.3.5 Assistance provided and/or topics covered

7.1.3.6 Delivery format utilized (virtual or in-person)

7.1.3.7 Date of each technical assistance session

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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