Move Illinois The Illinois Tollway s 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, will improve mobility, relieve congestion, reduce pollution, create as many as 120,000 jobs and link economies across the Midwest region. The program is the largest in the agency s history. Move Illinois will address the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system; rebuild and widen the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) as a state-of-the-art 21st century corridor; construct a new interchange to connect the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57; build a new, all-electronic Elgin O Hare Western Access and fund planning studies for emerging projects. In 2011, the Illinois Tollway created the Department of Diversity and Strategic Development to increase access to economic opportunities for disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms, veteran-owned businesses (VOSBs), small businesses as well as underemployed individuals. The Tollway remains focused on promoting, assisting and ensuring diverse participation in the Move Illinois Program and all aspects of its operations, including contracting, consulting and the supply of goods and services. 2
Diversity and Strategic Development Department Objectives The Department of Diversity and Strategic Development works to: Increase access to contract opportunities for certified disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms, as well as veteran-owned and small businesses (VOSBs) through diversity outreach efforts Effectively communicate the Tollway s diversity programs and initiatives Level the playing field for all businesses through growing competition Help to diversify skilled and construction trades Monitor Tollway contracts to maximize economic benefit and ensure prompt payment and diversity compliance Diversity Programs The Illinois Tollway provides opportunities for D/M/WBEs, VOSBs, small businesses and underemployed individuals through the following programs: Goal Programs ydisadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program ybusiness Enterprise Program (BEP) ysmall Business Set-Aside Program (SBSP) yveterans Business Program Professional Services Assistance ymentor/protégé Program Construction Assistance ytechnical Assistance Programs Construction Business Development Center (CBDC) Construction Coaching for Growth (CC4G) Small Contractor Bridge Program Enhanced Technical Assistance ysmall Business Initiative yearned Credit Program (ECP) Workforce Development yequal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program yearned Credit Program (ECP) yhighway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP) ytransportation Construction Apprenticeship Readiness Training Program (TCART) 3
Goal Programs Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program The Illinois Tollway extends its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program to include disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms on both construction and professional services contracts generated by the Tollway s Engineering Department. The Department of Diversity and Strategic Development Establishes specific contract goals for participation of D/M/WBE certified firms on construction contracts and professional services contracts (architectural, engineering, design, construction management and inspection) Reviews and approves contractor utilization plans, including certification verification Provides information on reporting requirements during pre-construction meetings Reviews data submitted by prime contractors regarding payments made to D/M/WBE subcontractors Performs periodic construction site visits for monitoring of contract compliance Tracks and compiles data to show actual D/M/WBE participation based on payment dollars Assesses viability of mentor/protégé partnerships on professional service contracts The Tollway s DBE Program accepts certifications from the following agencies: Illinois Unified Certification Program (ILUCP) DBE Certifications (includes Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace and city of Chicago) City of Chicago Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification Cook County MBE/WBE Certification Small Business Administration SBA 8(a) Certification For more information, email diversity@getipass.com. 4
Business Enterprise Program Illinois Department of Central Management Services The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) promotes the economic development of diverse businesses those owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities. To participate, businesses must meet the following criteria: Certified with the CMS BEP program at time of bid 51 percent owned and controlled by a minority, woman or disabled person Owner must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien Annual gross sales must be less than $75 million For more information about the BEP, visit www2.illinois.gov/cms/business/sell2/ bep/pages vendor_registration.aspx. Small Business Set-Aside Program Chief Procurement Office The Small Business Set-Aside Program promotes contracting with small Illinois companies (revenues less than $8 million for retail or service business and less than $13 million for wholesale or manufacturing companies and less than $14 million for construction companies)*. This program has specific benefits for providers of goods and services: 673 supply/service classifications Awards less than $50,000 are set aside for registered small businesses Race- and gender-neutral, ensuring that businesses of all types and sizes have the opportunity to participate To be eligible, businesses must be registered in the state s Small Business Set-Aside Program. For more information, email the Small Business Set-Aside Program at eec.smallbusiness@illinois.gov or visit http://www.illinois.gov/cpo/general/pages/sell2illinois.aspx. *Subject to change. 5
Goal Programs Veterans Business Program State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services Veterans Business Program The Illinois Tollway supports veterans and service-disabled veterans by assisting them when competing for Tollway contracts. To that end, the Tollway evaluates all agency solicitations for applicability of veteran-owned small business (VOSB) or servicedisabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) goals. Criteria to participate in the Veterans Business Program include: Currently certified with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services as a VOSB or SDVOSB. 51 percent owned and controlled by a qualified veteran living in Illinois Compliance with the Veterans Small Business Verification Act For more information about the Veterans Business Program, visit http://www2.illinois.gov/cms/business/sell2/pages/ VeteranownedBusinesses.aspx. 6
Professional Services Assistance Mentor/Protégé Program The Illinois Tollway s Mentor/Protégé Program encourages professional services consultants (mentors) to assist disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms and, effective June 2015, veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) in remaining self-sufficient, competitive and profitable businesses. The Mentor/Protégé Program for DBE and VOSB firms provides a way for prime consultants to receive credit toward advertised goals for serving as a mentor and providing meaningful instruction, technical assistance and beneficial resources to a DBE and/or VOSB protégé, including: Overall guidance and oversight of project work Assistance with the development of a comprehensive project management plan Assistance with the development of a quality assurance/quality control plan Instruction on applicable laws, regulations and rules Other forms of technical assistance may include: Training in business operations such as invoicing, accounts receivable, marketing, business forecasting and budgeting, human resource and information technology development, selection techniques for insurance and banking relationships Assistance in preparation of change orders, claim filing, dispute resolution and project scheduling Assistance in the preparation of contract documents, proposals and statements of interest Assistance in developing and implementing procedures in accounting for daily actual cost of labor, production and overhead Benefits Under this program, the protégé will perform an agreed-upon amount of the contract work as though the business was the prime consultant on the job, assuming full responsibility for and supervision of that portion of the work. Once the Mentor/Protégé Program criteria is satisfied, the mentor earns credit toward the contractual DBE or VOSB goal equal to the contract value paid to the protégé. 7
Professional Services Assistance Mentor/Protégé Program There is no minimum participation level required for a DBE firm to be eligible as a protégé. The Tollway offers mentors: A 3 percent bonus credit toward the mentor s contractual DBE goal for selecting a DBE protégé firm not previously mentored on a Tollway or Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project. A one-quarter percent bonus credit toward the mentor s contractual VOSB goal for selecting a VOSB protégé firm not previously mentored on a Tollway or IDOT project. For program guidelines and a list of previous mentors, visit http://www. illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-programs/mentor-protegepartnership-program. 8
Construction Assistance Technical Assistance Programs Construction Business Development Center The Construction Business Development Center (CBDC) administered by the Illinois Community College Board is focused on developing flexible, customized training and technical assistance to provide small, minority- and women-owned firms in the construction industry with the skills and knowledge to help them grow and succeed. The CBDC provides one-on-one support to help businesses compete for and win opportunities to participate as prime contractors and subcontractors on Illinois Tollway construction projects. How It Works Work directly with a construction business specialist who will help create a business profile and action plan Create an individualized technical assistance plan: youtline technical assistance components ymap individual progress ysubmit bid packets to the Tollway Technical assistance may include: yfinance and accounting yhow to be successful as a subcontractor yinsurance ybonding yestimating and bidding ydoing business with the Illinois Tollway ytools for technology yproject management ysafety and field operations ybusiness and marketing plan development Provide customized technical assistance via one or a combination of: ypersonalized assistance typically done with a consultant or other entity that has a particular expertise yseminars/workshops could be individual or group offering with both classroom and online availability yaccess to entities with particular expertise For more information, visit http://prairiestate.edu/assets/global/personal-professional/cbdc/ CBDCbrochure.pdf. 9
Construction Assistance Technical Assistance Programs Construction Coaching for Growth The Illinois Tollway implemented its Construction Coaching for Growth (CC4G) Program for small business owners specializing in heavy highway construction. This program is designed to provide established small and diverse construction businesses targeted training and direct, strategic business counseling in an effort to support and promote business growth and participation in Tollway contract opportunities. Participants will receive a total of approximately 38 hours of counseling and instruction that will include strategic coaching tailored to each company s specific needs, as well as group training: Four one-on-one 90-minute coaching sessions coaching sessions are framed by the starting level of the participating firm as identified by the program. Two full days of group conferences topics include prequalification, strategy building, bid preparation, team readiness, planning and analysis, bonding and mentor-protégé relationships with primes and other small business owners. Peer-to-peer coaching mentoring and feedback from other program participants and fellow small business owners. LaunchPad participants will prepare a six-minute presentation on their company s strategic growth plan that will be delivered to primes, other subcontractors and procurement officials as the final event of the program. Pre-qualification counseling participants may schedule meetings with the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) to review and discuss pre-qualification with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Capital Development Board, as well as assistance with capability statements. For more information on CC4G eligibility requirements, visit http://www.ihccbusiness.net/cc4g/. 10
Construction Assistance Small Contractor Bridge Program The Small Contractor Bridge Program provides working capital loans to small contractors, including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned businesses. SMALL CONTRACTOR BRIDGE The program helps small and diverse firms obtain surety bonding and get preapproved for loans to help them compete for public works projects, including work as prime contractors on Illinois Tollway construction projects. The Small Contractor Bridge Program is administered by the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) and the Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF). How the Small Contractor Bridge Program Works Contractors work with CCLF and a partnering surety bond underwriting firm to establish creditworthiness and project capacity according to the Small Contractor Bridge Program guidelines. Loans can be used to pay for surety bond premiums, suppliers, equipment leasing, employees and other direct project-related expenses. The 12-month loans have a simple interest rate of 6 to 8 percent and can be renewed. For more information, visit http://cclfchicago.org/about-us/news/chicago-community-loan-fundannounces-small-contractor-bridge-program. 11
Construction Assistance Technical Assistance Programs Enhanced Technical Assistance The Tollway has recently entered into partnerships with the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association and the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce to provide in-depth, long-term technical assistance over two or more years to small, diverse and veteran contractors. The goal is to provide technical assistance intervention in all areas of business development required to become effective heavy highway construction contractors. Examples of this hands-on assistance include: Long-term mentorship model Facilitating access to capital and guidance in financing and bonding assistance options IDOT prequalification submittal assistance for specialty firms Accounting system assistance, including certified payroll reports, change orders and project close-out Proactive community, government relations and construction industry outreach One-on-one counseling Please visit the Diversity section of the Illinois Tollway s website for periodic updates about these upcoming enhanced technical assistance programs, http://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-programs. 12
Construction Assistance Construction Assistance Small Business Initiative The Illinois Tollway s Small Business Initiative is intended to increase opportunities for small construction companies to participate in the agency s Move Illinois Program. The initiative provides small businesses the opportunity to build capacity as prime contractors by: Identifying select construction contracts, generally with values of approximately $1 million, that can be set aside specifically for small businesses Establishing small business goals for select construction contracts on a project-by-project basis To qualify for participation in the Small Business Initiative, firms must meet the following criteria: Gross revenues of $14 million or less annually Register in the state s Small Business Set-Aside Program at www.ipg.vendorreg.com The Small Business Initiative is race- and gender-neutral, consistent with the Tollway s goal to ensure that businesses of all types and sizes have the opportunity to participate in its construction projects. For more information on the Small Business Initiative, visit http://www.illinoistollway.com/doingbusiness/diversity-programs/small-business-initiative. 13
Construction Assistance Earned Credit Program* for Contractors How the Earned Credit Program Works Find Out if You re Eligible Any contractor or subcontractor that has had a previous Illinois Tollway construction contract, a current Tollway construction contract or that is seeking to bid on a future Tollway construction contract is eligible to participate in the Earned Credit Program (ECP). Hire ECP Workers Now Contractors and subcontractors can contact the Tollway to request applicants from a pool of candidates with construction experience who are participants of various training organization programs and meet state requirements. A list of qualified referrals will be provided by the Tollway for your consideration. New Hire Bonus Credit Contractors or subcontractors are eligible to receive a $5,000 bonus bid credit when the ECP worker is retained for 160 hours. Retain the ECP Worker and Continue to Accumulate Bid Credits Put the new apprentice to work on a construction project anywhere in the state of Illinois and start earning bid credits for up to five years from the first date of hire at the following rates. Bid credits can be applied to future bids on Tollway construction projects. Operating engineers and structural steel ironworkers: 50 cents for every dollar earned All other skilled trades and fabricators: 40 cents for every dollar earned Laborers: 30 cents for every dollar earned EARNED CREDIT PROGRAM Market Your Firm to a Bidding Contractor Subcontractor-earned credits can be added to a prime contractor s bid in order to increase the chances of winning the contract as the lowest qualified bidder. 14 *See definition on page 15.
Workforce Development Equal Employment Opportunity Program On construction contracts, the Illinois Tollway adheres to federal workforce requirements and works in conjunction with contractors to facilitate achievement of all workforce goals. Monitoring and reporting is a joint effort among contractors, construction managers and Tollway staff to ensure that: Workforce data in the form of weekly certified payroll reports submitted by contractors to construction managers is reviewed to confirm achievement of established EEO goals (19.6 percent minority/6.9 percent female) Periodic construction site visits are performed to confirm presence of workforce as reported Referrals of qualified workers are available to contractors seeking assistance in meeting their workforce goals For more information, visit http://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-programs/equalemployment-opportunity-program. Earned Credit Program (ECP) The ECP offers contractors and subcontractors a chance to earn bid credits toward future Tollway construction bids when they hire workers from a pool of qualified, pre-screened candidates that includes minorities, women, eligible offenders and exonerated individuals, veterans and other Workforce Investment Act eligible individuals. ECP training partners operate pre-apprenticeship construction training programs, pre-screen job seekers and then provide resumes to construction firms with current job opportunities. For information, call 630-241-6800 ext. 2349 or visit http://www.illinoistollway.com/doing- business/ diversity-programs/earned-credit-program. 15
Workforce Development Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP) HCCTP is a partnership between IDOT and 12 Illinois community colleges throughout the state providing intensive training in highway construction-related skills, such as mathematics for the trades, job-site readiness, carpentry, concrete flatwork, blueprint reading orientation, introduction to tools, forklift operation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10 certification. For information, call the Illinois Community College Board at 217-785-4611 or visit http://www.idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/employmentopportunities/specialized-training/highway-construction-careerstraining-program. Transportation Construction Apprenticeship Readiness Training Program (TCART) The Illinois Tollway and IDOT have joined with the Chicago Urban League to provide job-skills training. This program uses a communitybased approach to increase access to highway construction jobs, teaching people life skills and technical training at union training facilities such as the Chicagoland Laborers training facility in Chicago and the Local 150 Operating Engineers training school in Wilmington. For program graduates, the Chicago Urban League offers job referral and placement services. For information, call the Chicago Urban League at 773-624-8800 or visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org/page/580. 16
Resources Where to find current Tollway bid opportunities: Construction http://www.illinoistollwaybidding.com Professional Services Goods and Services http://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/construction-engineering professional-services-bulletin http://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/goods-services/bids Upcoming Tollway networking events: http://www.illinoistollway.com/doing-business/diversity-programs#diversityoutreach Directory of certified firms Business Enterprise Program ycentral Management Services directory: http://www.illinois.gov/cms/business/sell2/pages/vendorsearch.aspx Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program yillinois Unified Certification Program (IL-UCP) DBE Certifications (includes Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace and City of Chicago): http://apps.dot.illinois.gov/ucpsearch ycity of Chicago Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification: https://chicago.mwdbe.com/frontend/vendorsearchpublic.asp?tn=chicago&xid=8816 ycook County MBE/WBE Certification: https://cookcounty.diversitycompliance.com/frontend/vendorsearchpublic.asp?xid=686&tn =cookcounty ysmall Business Administration SBA 8(a) Certification: https://www.sba.gov/content/about-8a-business-development-program Small Business Initiative yillinois Procurement Gateway directory: https://ipg.vendorreg.com/frontend/vendorsearchregistry.asp?tn=ipg&xid=5943 Veteran Business Program ycentral Management Services directory: http://www.illinois.gov/cms/business/sell2/pages/vendorsearch.aspx 17
Resources Directory of agencies for construction-ready worker referrals Chicago Urban League Karen A. Coleman Manager of Employment Services Chicago Urban League 4510 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60653 kcoleman@thechicagourbanleague.org Phone: 773-285-5800 Phone: 773-451-3579 Fax: 773-285-7772 Chicago Women in Trades Linda Hannah Chicago Women in Trades Director of Programs 2444 W. 16th Street, 3E Chicago, IL 60608 Lhannah@cwit2.org Phone: 312-942-1444 ext. 109 Fax: 312-942-1599 Dawson Technical Institute of Kennedy King College HCCTP Program Coordinator City Colleges of Chicago 3901 S. State St. Chicago, IL 60609 Phone: 773-451-2150 Salute the Armed Forces Ed LeTourneau 8642 S. Wolf Road Burr Ridge, IL 60527 Ed@SaluteTheArmedForces.Org Phone: 708-204-8602 St. Paul Community Development Ministries Elder Kevin Anthony Ford Executive Director St. Paul Church of God in Christ Community Development Ministries, Inc. 4526 S. Wabash Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60653 Phone: 773-538-5120 Fax: 773-538-5125 YouthBuild Lake County Laurel Tustison 2100 Green Bay Rd. North Chicago, IL 60064 ltustison@youthbuildlakecounty.org Phone: 847-473-3483 Fax: 847-473-1023 YouthBuild Rockford Gwen Schuyler Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc. 917 South Main Street Rockford, IL 61101 gschuyler@youthbuildrockford.org Phone: 815-963-6236 Fax: 815-963-1002 18
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Illinois Tollway 2700 Ogden Avenue Downers Grove, Illinois 60515 630-241-6800 www.illinoistollway.com Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. October 2015. Qty: 200.