In a January 4, 2024, bulletin, the MITA membership was informed about the new DBE Good Faith Effort (GFE) requirements MDOT would be implementing beginning with the February 2, 2024, bid letting. Click here to view that January 4th bulletin.
One of the most significant GFE changes outlined in that bulletin was the requirement that all bidders (not just the 1st and 2nd low bidders) must submit their DBE attainment documentation (Form 2653 Contractor Good Faith Efforts, Form 2653D Commitment Confirmation for DBE Subcontractors with signatures) within 5 calendar days of the bid letting.
In evaluating a low bidder’s inability to attain the advertised DBE goal for a project in a recent bid letting, MDOT’s GFE Committee and GFE Reconsideration Committee both determined that the bidder’s DBE attainment efforts were insufficient. Procedurally, this conclusion allows MDOT to move on to the next subsequent low bidder for potential award of the contract. Unfortunately, none of the other bidders beyond the low bidder submitted their complete GFE documentation and thus they were all deemed to be ineligible for award of the contract. Having no bidders eligible for award of the contract, MDOT is put in the position of having to re-let the project.
Our purpose with this bulletin is that it serves as a reminder that all bidders must submit their DBE attainment documentation within 5 calendar days of the bid letting, even if you are a bidder other than the determined low bidder. A bidder who fails this submittal requirement will be deemed ineligible for award of the contract.
If you have any questions, please contact any member of the MITA engineering team:
Rachelle VanDeventer | rachellevandeventer@thinkmita.org
Glenn Bukoski | glennbukoski@thinkmita.org
Jeremiah Leyba | jeremiahleyba@thinkmita.org
They can also be reached by phone at the MITA office: 517-347-8336.
