Bridge Building Blocks Series
April 24 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bridge Building Blocks 2025 Series – Registration Now Open!
The Bridge Building Blocks 2025 Series is a unique training program designed to prepare local DBE, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses for opportunities on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project. Hosted by WA APEX at CREDC and featuring the IBR, NAMC, and SBA, this free, in-person series provides intermediate to advanced training, a free comprehensive financial review session, and access to mentorship connections upon completion.
Multi-session Course
Accounting/Budget, Government Contracting, Managing a Business, Matchmaking, Outreach/ Networking, Pre-Award, Public Works
Series Details:
- In-Person Workshops
- Location: IBR Offices, 500 Broadway St., 3rd Floor, Vancouver, WA.
- Cost: FREE
- Workshops:
- March 26: Bonding/Insurance (10 AM – 12 PM)
- Featuring Don Shanklin of Propel Insurance, learn everything you need to know to prepare for bonding and insurance on this specific project.
- April 24: BOLI & L&I Training (10 AM – 12 PM)
- Featuring both OR and WA Labor and Industries representatives, learn all about responsible bidder criteria, public works requirements, proper classifying and federal resources and Davis Bacon requirements.
- May 21: Proposal Writing & Blueprint Reading (10 AM – 12 PM)
- Learn from the experts at NAMC University on how to review job site documents, write a winning proposal, what to consider with cost estimating, etc.
- June 12: Joint Ventures/Teaming & SBA Loan Programs (10 AM – 12 PM)
- Learn from representatives of Skanska and Hoffman about Joint Ventus and teaming on a large project and hear all about the SBA’s loan programs.
- March 26: Bonding/Insurance (10 AM – 12 PM)
Participants will also receive:
Mentorship *Connection:
Upon completing all four workshops, participants will be connected to potential mentors from our partner organizations.
*Please note: This is a one-time connection opportunity, not ongoing case management, and will require you to complete our mentorship request form.
Financial Review:
Participants will receive one free discovery session with “Tried and True Consulting,” featuring a comprehensive financial review of your individual business, a detailed financial health score report, and tailored recommendations for next steps.
Participant Requirements and qualifications for acceptance:
- Must be either:
- Minority Owned
- DBE certified (either WA or OR)
- Women Owned
- Veteran Owned
- Classified as a small business according to the SBA’s small business classification system.
- Must be current on all taxes
- Must be current on all licenses (if applicable)
- Must not be ineligible or debarred from public works by BOLI or L&I
- Must not be under litigation
- Must Commit to attending all four workshops.
- Limited to 60 participants.
