WSDOT and the City of Seattle are committed to increasing participation of disadvantaged business enterprises and women and minority business enterprises (DBE/WMBE) in contracts for the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program.
Join our mailing list and read our equal opportunities in construction brochure (pdf 406 kb) to stay updated on contracting opportunities.
Bored tunnel contracting news
We held a three-day construction strategies workshop in March, bringing together several national and international experts on tunneling to get their feedback on the proposed SR 99 bored tunnel. Tunnel experts from Italy, Germany and the United States were invited to Seattle to weigh in on recommended bored tunnel delivery strategies, contracting methods and technological considerations. We are reviewing the panel's recommendations (pdf 444 kb) and determining how to incorporate them into the bored tunnel project.
Our June 2009 bored tunnel contracting presentation (pdf 712 kb) outlines the expected contract packages and the preliminary design and construction schedule for the bored tunnel.
This spring we held two contracting forums to discuss upcoming work for the bored tunnel. A list of company representatives that attended the forums and expressed an interest in working on this project is available here (pdf 87 kb).
Upcoming contracts
| Project |
Construction budget
(estimated) |
Status |
| AWV Replacement - S Holgate Street to King Street |
Stage 2:
$300 million |
Stage 2 ad - Fall 2009 |
| Add intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to SR 99 |
$8 million |
North ITS ad - Fall 2009
South ITS ad - Fall 2009 |
| Repair the Battery Street Tunnel |
$2-3 million |
TBD |
Meeting equal opportunity goals
On WSDOT projects with federal funding, a certain percentage of participation by DBE/WMBE-certified firms is required.
For projects without federal funding, the state requests contractors meet these goals voluntarily and document the process to demonstrate a goodfaith effort. For more information, refer to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Participation Plan.
To find firms that are certified as DBE/WMBEs, contractors may use the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises directory. It is updated daily and is available to contractors, proposal holders and bidders to help identify DBE’s with capabilities relevant to highway construction.
Apprenticeship requirements
Contracts with an estimated cost of $3 million or more in state funds require that 12 percent of the minimum labor hours be performed by apprentices (These requirements will change July 1, 2009). WSDOT provides on-the-job training and supportive services to assist contractors with recruitment and placement of minorities and women, as well as to provide advocacy and support for individual apprentices/trainees participating in the program.
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