Business Opportunities
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The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is committed to maintaining the
state’s transportation infrastructure through a partnership with construction and
consulting firms. IDOT is also committed to providing an array of services to assist
Illinois businesses succeed in pursuing transportation-related construction and
consulting opportunities. IDOT continually strives to ensure that contracts are
awarded to qualified businesses and recognizes the importance of maximizing contract
participation opportunities for socially and/or economically disadvantaged business
owners throughout the state.
Programs & Process
IDOT continually seeks qualified and diverse firms to support Illinois
transportation programs and offers a wide array of services for firms seeking
contract opportunities:
Subcontractor Registration: Firms seeking to provide construction services as
a subcontractor must complete an annual registration process. Note: Registered subcontractors
are not required to be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).
DBE Certification: The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is a
federally mandated program that provides minorities, women and other eligible small businesses
an opportunity to participate in highway, transit and airport contracts that are federal and state
funded. Firms seeking certification must meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 26, Subpart D: to
ensure that only firms that fully meet this part's eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs.
Construction/Consultant Prequalification: A rating process established by IDOT which requires
prospective bidders (firms) to obtain a certificate of eligibility prior to being considered for issuance of bidding
proposal forms and plans for contracts awarded by IDOT. Firms can be prequalified as a prime contractor, prime consultant,
and/or a subconsultant.