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Diversity
Fair Employment Practices
ABOUT
The CDB’s Fair Employment Practices (FEP) unit is responsible for ensuring equal opportunity with state-funded construction projects. A team of compliance technicians, assistants, and specialists is responsible for the management of these programs. They perform project reviews as required by state regulations, assist prime contractors in locating diverse vendors to achieve established participation goals, and offer training for those vendors newly prequalified or interested in learning more about CDB projects and procedures.
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
CDB utilizes certified businesses to promote opportunities in the contracting process. The list of business enterprise certification categories is:
CDB actively promotes the economic development of minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities businesses in the construction field as participants on CDB projects. The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) promotes opportunities for minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with disabilities as stipulated by the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act (30 ILCS 575), and promotes opportunities for veteran-owned firms in accordance with Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500/45-57).
DESIGN
CDB, with the support of industry partners, applies a minimum 15% MBE/WBE/PBE goal and 3% VBE goal on design contracts for construction projects with an estimated basic services fee of $75,000 or more (projects valued at approximately $1,000,000 or greater).
CONSTRUCTION
Projects with a total estimated construction cost of $250,000 or greater are generally have goals for the utilization of MBE/WBE/VBE/PBE certified firms. Goals may vary depending on scope, dollar, and geographical region.
FEP ensures contract awards reflect and adhere to the Business Enterprise Program participation goals. Awarded contracts are reviewed and monitored by FEP. To take part in CDB projects as an MBE/WBE/PBE/VBE certified vendor, the business must be certified with the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion, Business Enterprise Program. CDB does not certify businesses.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS WORKFORCE PROGRAM
The Illinois Department of Human Rights Minority/Female Workforce Program offers equal employment opportunities to minority and female tradesperson in accordance with the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/7-105 (A)) and the Rules established by the Department of Human Rights (44 Ill. Adm. Code 750). Minority and female workforce employment goals are established for each county in the State.
FEP oversees and monitors workforce compliance on State-funded construction projects. For all construction work in given geographic areas, workforce goals are measured as a percentage of total hours of labor performed by the contractor's total workforce in each trade.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND FORMS
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
CDB offers training sessions for those firms newly prequalified or interested in learning more about CDB project procedures.
FEP compliance technicians are frequently available at CDB pre-bid and pre-construction meetings to aid in the clarification of the programs and procedures. They are also periodically available at the construction sites in conjunction with the FEP. For contact information, please refer to the FEP CT Areas map.
The FEP unit assists prime contractors in locating MBE/WBE/PBE/VBE firms to achieve established participation goals.
CERTIFIED BUSINESS DIRECTORY
BEP ACHIEVEMENTS
Capital Development Board BEP Annual Reports