The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) engaged Keen Independent Research to help prepare a three-year DBE goal for the participation of disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) in its contracts funded by the Federal Highway Administration. Setting overall DBE goals is a requirement of receiving FHWA funds.

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The study team contacted businesses by phone in the spring 2025 to collect information about their availability for different types, locations and sizes of ODOT and local agency projects.

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ODOT Proposed FFY 2026–FFY 2028 FHWA DBE Goal

ODOT proposes an 18.90 percent overall annual DBE goal for FHWA-funded contracts for the three federal fiscal years starting October 1, 2025. ODOT projects to achieve its overall goal through:

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• Neutral means (6.82%); and
• Race- and gender-conscious means (12.08%), such as DBE contract goals.

The new DBE goal updates its current goal of 23.43 percent.

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Study Team

Keen Independent Research is a national economic consulting firm. David Keen led this assignment. He has performed about 200 availability and disparity studies, including the 2022 ODOT Disparity Study, the 2019 Disparity Study Update and the 2016 Disparity Study.

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How to Get Involved

ODOT will hold two virtual public meetings to discuss and collect or get verbal comments about the 2025 Disparity Study Update and proposed FHWA DBE goal. Click the links below to register:

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• From 12 to 1 p.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025; and
• From 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

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In addition, ODOT requests written comments be submitted through the following means:

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• At the virtual public meetings; and
• Via email at ocrprograms@odot.oregon.gov

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_{Published on June 4, 2025.}