Program serves disadvantaged businesses
through workshops, training

Wherever Liz Healas goes in Idaho (and she is very well-traveled) she tends to draw an enthusiastic, inquisitive crowd. Participants come with questions and leave with answers.

Healas is the lone contact in Idaho for business owners who want to share a role in transportation projects as certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). Often they begin the process by attending one of the many free public workshops she organizes statewide, from Priest River to Preston, and many places in between.

In January and February she hosted workshops on “Marketing to the Construction Industry” in Garden City, Coeur d’Alene and Pocatello, This month she organized sessions on “Bidding and Estimating Strategies” for construction contractors and suppliers in the same three cities. Both workshops featured Steve “Kiwi” Hunt of Trico Construction as the instructor.

It’s all in a day’s work for Healas, coordinator for the DBE program at ITD. She collaborates with dozens of state and federal agencies that assist under-represented populations. DBEs are small, for-profit businesses that are at least 51 percent owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

“The U.S. Department of Transportation’s DBE Program is designed to foster equal opportunity for minority, female and disadvantaged business owners on federal-aid transportation projects, and for helping them improve their business efficiency and flexibility.”

You’ll find DBEs providing services or supplies in nearly every transportation function, from public involvement and outreach to planning, designing and construction.

ITD administers the federal program in Idaho, covering Healas’ salary and providing the office. The Federal Highway Administration is responsible for operational expenses.

All of the workshops and training sessions are provided free to help nurture DBEs and others interested in doing business with ITD.

Although her focus is on transportation, Healas also works with a cadre of other state and federal agencies to serve clients throughout Idaho and often in bordering states.

Among her partners are Small Business Administration offices in Boise and Seattle, the Idaho Department of Commerce, the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Mountain Home Air Force Base, the Women’s Business Center, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), the Idaho Small Business Development Centers, and colleges and universities – anyone with expertise in government programs or in business assistance and development.

Because she coordinates with such a broad range of service providers, Healas maintains a schedule of workshops and training – even for those not directly under her purview. She shares the comprehensive schedule with a large list of subscribers, including businesses, agencies and non-profit organizations. Healas also publishes a monthly newsletter that has national distribution.

Healas walked into the coordinator position cold in 1996, virtually learning the federal program from ground level. Since then, she has become recognized as the de facto expert for business owners who want to conduct business with state and federal government. Even if it’s not related to transportation projects, Healas serves as a resource for those who need direction. She is an educator, facilitator, counselor, trainer, coordinator, problem-solver and event planner.

And if you’re looking for dining recommendations in some of Idaho’s off-the-beaten-path restaurants, Healas no doubt could fill that role as well.

More formal advice centers on:

  • Doing Business with Government (10 to 17 workshops annually)
  • Contract Management and Performance
  • Marketing to the Construction Industry
  • Bidding and Estimating Strategies
  • Federal Wage and Hour Requirements
  • Construction Project Documentation, Key Contract Provisions & Claims

The EEO office is organized as part of the Human Resource Services Division and assists with delivery of the annual Safety Fest sessions and other outreach efforts.

In the past 16 years, the DBE program has provided 252 workshops with 2,629 attendees (Healas is a meticulous record keeper as well as scheduler).

Participants find DBE workshops invaluable

Liz Healas and ITD’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program provide workshops and training that are in high demand and have a positive impact on Idaho’s economy, which is one of the department’s Strategic Plan goals.

DBE services complement offerings of other state and federal agencies – filling a much-needed gap, Healas explains.

Workshop participants clearly attest to the quality and content of the DBE workshops:

  • “This workshop was very useful because most people working in the construction field are unaware of these guidelines.”

  • “There was a great deal of information to move through in a short time frame and she (special presenter Wendy Wendrowski of Boise State University) kept it concise and interesting from beginning to end. The important concepts she covered will be very valuable for us to continually consider as we move forward.”

  • “It was more than I expected and I am looking forward to the Bidding & Estimating Strategies.”

  • “Great presentation! A wealth of knowledge!”

  • “This needs to be marketed to all contractors.”

  • “I want to thank all of you for taking the time to come to the farm town, Burley.”

  • “I attended the Doing business with the Government workshop that your team hosted today in Driggs. I think it was very informative and pretty power-packed for only half a day. Well done.”

  • “I wanted to say thank you for spending your morning yesterday to teach me about how to do business with your organization.  I learned a great deal and look forward to doing business with ITD.”

  • “Excellent workshop. Each time I come with a new perspective and learn something new.”

  • “Homedale? Really?”

 

 

Published 3-1-13