Metro Council seeks DBE participation in Central Corridor contract services

Council to issue RFP for Project Management Services on light rail project

Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651.602.1357

ST. PAUL—Nov. 2, 2006—Calling all DBEs! The Metropolitan Council is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Project Management Services on Central Corridor light rail transit and wants participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.

To promote networking between DBEs and potential proposers, the Council is hosting a “mixer” Nov. 7 in St. Paul.

“We really want DBE firms to be part of this exciting project,” said Wanda Kirkpatrick, Metropolitan Council Director of Diversity. “The mixer will give minority- and women-owned businesses an opportunity to learn about the scope of work in the RFP and a chance to hook up with potential design teams and project managers that may bid on the contract.”

The mixer is set for 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Rondo Outreach Library, 461 N. Dale Street in St. Paul. Anyone with questions is urged to contact Ms. Kirkpatrick at 651.602.1085 or Wanda.Kirkpatrick@metc.state.mn.us.

The Central Corridor LRT line will connect the two central cities along University Avenue, the U of M, Midway and Capitol area. The Metropolitan Council has submitted an application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requesting permission to begin Preliminary Engineering on the project, which is a two-year phase.

The Council will request federal funding for half the project cost. The federal government’s DBE program helps to increase participation by women and minority contractors in state and local procurements.

For more information on the Central Corridor project, see: http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/centralcorridor.htm

For more information on the DBE program, see:
http://www.metrocouncil.org/doing_business/dbeinfo.htm

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

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