WSDOT DBE Supportive Services Program

 
Washington State Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services

This program is funded by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to assist small, women, and minority businesses in the State of Washington obtain the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification, and assist those firms who are DBE certified seek and bid on transportation projects.  This program has been developed to increase DBE participation in WSDOT projects funded by the federal government.

The DBE Supportive Services program provides many outstanding resources, individual business counseling sessions, and group trainings intended to help companies excel.  This program offers guidance through the certification application process for companies that have not yet been certified.  Companies that are already DBE certified are also encouraged to participate in the variety of services and resources available to facilitate the firm’s development into businesses capable of competing for and performing on federally funded projects.

About Community Capital Development, Contractor

Community Capital Development (CCD) was hired by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) as a contractor on the Federal Disadvantage Business Enterprise Certification Supportive Services program.  WSDOT awarded the contract to CCD to assist small, women, and minority businesses in the State of Washington obtain the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification, and assist those firms who are DBE certified seek and bid on transportation projects.  This program has been developed to increase DBE participation in WSDOT projects funded by the federal government.

Community Capital Development (CCD) is a consortium of non-profit community development organizations.  The organization includes a community development corporation that provides training, counseling and membership.  

CCD also includes a certified community development financial institution that provides access to capital and business assistance to small businesses, with special emphasis on low-income, women and minority entrepreneurs and small businesses in distressed and underserved communities in Washington State. CCD's approach to economic development and alleviating poverty is through self-sufficiency achieved through entrepreneurialism. 

CCD, comprehensive assistance programs include:

  • Technical Assistance - trained counselors that help small businesses with all aspects of starting and running a small business, including marketing, management, finance and strategic planning.  CCD also assists clients with their business plans, cash flow projections and loan applications.
  • Training - training programs designed specifically for entrepreneurs.
  • Loans - offers financing to qualified small businesses and start-ups through our small business loan program.

The primary purpose of the DBE Supportive Services is to provide training and one on one consulting sessions on both construction specific and general business practices.  Group trainings will be held throughout the State of Washington in communities such as Spokane, Vancouver, Bellingham, Tri Cities, Yakama, and other surrounding areas. 

Sample program training offerings include the following classes:

  • Guidance through the Federal DBE certification process
  • Understanding WSDOT Project
  • Bidding and Estimating
  • Understanding Liens
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Scheduling
  • Project Management
  • Bonding and Insurance
  • DBE Responsibilities and Requirements
  • Documentation and Record Keeping

CCD Staff Person: Erika Mascorro, Business Assistance Officer

Erika Mascorro, is the main contact at CCD for the WSDOT DBE Supportive Services program. 

Erika has extensive experience on seeking, going after, and winning transportation projects.  Prior to working for CCD, she was the Business Development Manager for a civil engineering firm in the State of Texas that provides transportation planning, engineering, traffic engineering, and public involvement services to government agencies, municipalities, and private organizations. 

She skilled at seeking project pursuits, conducting and participating in field reconnaissance and information gathering to prepare for project pursuits, putting teams together, and writing statements of qualifications. 

She is personable and has an ability to communicate across socio-economic boundaries building partnerships and relationships between governmental entities, consultants, and stakeholders.  Erika is certified by the Federal Highway Administration to conduct public involvement projects under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) of 1969. 

She brings 12 years experience in facilitation, public affairs, public relations, and public participation. Erika has consistently and successfully demonstrated the ability to develop stakeholder participation projects involving issues such as transportation planning, water management, urban revitalization and environmental justice.

Resources:

List of resources and partners:
Agency
Website
Washington State Department of Transportation
 Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises
 Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Center
 Small Business Development Center
 U.S. Small Business Administration
 SCORE
 Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce
 Yakima Valley
 Rural Community Development Resources
 Tri City Regional Chamber of Commerce

 

WSDOT DBE Supportive Services Program Contact Information

For more information on WSDOT DBE Supportive Services Business Assistance program please contact:
 
Erika Mascorro
WDOT DBE Supportive Services Business Assistance Officer
Community Capital Development
1437 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA  98144

Office: 206.324.4330 x 141

erikam@seattleccd.com