Feds, state help firms get road contracts

Funds provided by the Federal Highway Administration to the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Business Development Accelerator Program (BDAP) will help disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) land highway construction contracts, according to a press release.

The BDAP program is focused on helping firms remove the stumbling blocks to successful bids through a combination of specific training, techniques and tools to run a successful business.

The College of Southern Maryland will implement the program in partnership with other community colleges, small business development centers around Maryland and the State Highway Administration.

The program will include classroom and virtual training sessions, mentoring, access to subject matter experts and building critical relationships.

“CSM, along with its partners, will support SHA’s goal of promoting economic and business development in Maryland by working with DBE firms that have had limited success in obtaining work on highway construction projects,” said Daniel Mosser, CSM’s vice president of continuing education and workforce development.

The program’s goal is to assist 25 to 40 underutilized businesses that are currently certified in Maryland and involved in construction and related fields. Part of the program includes providing information on business prospects, available resources and how to position the business to win federal, state and local contracts.

The program provides free personalized consultation, customized training and technical assistance based on the needs of the owners of construction businesses.

For more information, call outreach coordinator Ann Frank at 301-539-4688.