Currently administering PennDOT: DBE, DB, OJT, and MPP Supportive Service Programs.

The mission of The Center is “to provide the training, technical assistance, and business development services that will enable DBEs to acquire the proficiency, expertise, and experience necessary to compete, on an equal basis, with non-DBEs for Federally-assisted PennDOT highway contracts and subcontracts.”

Helping women and minorities to successfully participate on DOT highway projects. Assisting organizations to effectively manage data and maximize efficiency. Using "Smart Ideas and Simple Solutions".Founders (Kyron Robinson & Wade West)

Assist PHFA to undertake an office expansion project in downtown Harrisburg and help PFHA seek opportunities in all aspects of the work for firms and entities which may be disadvantaged in bidding opportunities either because of lack of out-reach and notice or because of size, location or other factors. This includes firms that are minority-owned, women-owned veteran-owned, owned by persons with disabilities, or other recognized state and locally classified "disadvantaged small business organizations".• Develop and implement a direct outreach and marketing program providing notice to eligible MBE/WBE contractors of opportunities related to PHFA's office expansion.• Establish a database of contacts and information regarding bidding potential and it will use its systems and contacts to provide these outreach services in the Mid- State region, as it deems appropriate.• Ensure that adequate outreach and marketing occurs to provide notice and opportunity to interested contracting firms and entities capable of providing construction, technical and supply services to all aspects of the construction of the Agency's building expansion project.• Assist each of the Contract Manager, the designated representative of General Contractor, as applicable, and each selected subcontractor to provide information and outreach about any bidding and service opportunities.• Answer questions and provide technical assistance throughout the bidding process.• Provide monthly reports tracking MBE/WBE awards and progress related to completion of the MBE/WBE contracts.

Assisted DelDOT to refine their OJT Supportive Services (OJT/SS) Program plan, developed DelDOT OJT Supportive Service Website, convert OJT paper processes to digital online processes, and administered the DelDOT OJT Supportive Services Program. Activities conducted for the Delaware Department of Transportation in the execution of this project included but were not limited to the following:• OJT Program design • Reporting system design • Evaluation & monitoring design • OJT/SS budget & cost analysis • Refined OJT work plan • Designed OJT system wire-frame • Developed OJT tracking system • Developed the OJT needs assessment• Conducted end user system training • Monitored & tracked on-the-job trainee progress

A few of the services ProRank has rendered to the Harrisburg School District during the execution of the GESA contract include but are not limited to M/W/DBE Program Plan Development, Phase II ESCO Project M/W/DBE participation oversight and reporting. Review, report, and evaluate MBE/WBE participation and provide a framework for implementation into future procurement opportunities for Harrisburg School District (HSD) contracts. Activities conducted for this project include but are not limited to:• Provide monthly written reports to Business Administrator/CFO. • Conduct meetings with contractors. • Provide reports and analysis as requested by Board/Administration. • Attend scheduled meetings. • Reviewed prime contractor's M/W/DBE Participation Plan. • Developed M/W/DBE reporting procedures, forms, and policies.• Developed an M/W/DBE participation monitoring plan.• Developed an of the workforce diversity monitoring plan. • Developed HSD M/W/DBE reporting plan. • Developed M/W/DBE outreach plan for HSD contract bidders.

ProRank conducted research and provided recommendations concerning best practices to increase M/W/DBE participation in Allegheny County contracting, Improve tracking procedures and contractor reporting, as well as Improve the implementation of Allegheny County M/W/DBE program goals and policies. Activities conducted to develop recommendations for the County included but were not limited to the following:• Developed an online survey and interview questions for the County.• Collected all available M/W/DBE program reports and evaluations for the County M/W/DBE Program.• Collected contract award data for the County for past 3 yrs. • Conducted surveys and interviews with various program stakeholders.• Conducted Onsite reviews to evaluate the M/W/DBE tracking and reporting systems for The County.• Gathered M/W/DBE Program Best Practices from other counties and Compile and assess all quantitative and qualitative data for trends and best practices.• Provided written recommendations for the Allegheny County M/W/DBE program.

U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights Virtual Symposium, “Speaking with One Voice: Accelerating Access to Opportunity.” (Track 1:Accelerating Application of External Civil Rights Principles -- Connecting Primes to DBEs: Effective Supplier Diversity Policies and Procedures)Contract Equity Professionals discuss the interaction of personal dispositions with behavioral and environmental factors. They describe analysis of innovative DBE Supportive Service programs and the important contributions they make to economic development and entrepreneurship.Webinar Recording Available Below: https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/p78xhwyu181/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

Conduct program evaluations for both the On the Job Training (OJT) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Supportive Service Programs for the Delaware Department of Transportation. Review program activities conducted between 2009-2012 for both the OJT and DBE Supportive Services Programs. Provide written recommendations to improve both programs. The four (4) primary objectives of this project included: (1) Identify positive impacts and challenges to trainees participating in the DelDOT OJT programs; (2) Identify improvements and changes in DBE business profiles for firms that have participated in DelDOT DBE Supportive Service activities; (3) perform comprehensive program evaluations of the DelDOT OJT and DBE Supportive Services Programs; (4) provide recommendations to DelDOT to improve program implementation. The activities set forth in these evaluations were designed to comply with The Office of Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) employment standards as well as the following federal regulations:a. 23 CFR 200b. 23 CFR 230, Subparts A,C and Dc. 23 CFR 633 Subpart Ad. 41 CFR Part 60-1e. 49 CFR Part 60-4f. 49 CFR 26g. FHWA Order 4710.8ProRank Business Solutions conducted quantitative and qualitative research to make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of DelDOT DBE and OJT Supportive Services activities that included, but was not limited to, the research listed below: • Evaluation of DelDOT’s OJT and DBE Supportive Service programs to recommend process Improvements and to determine the effectiveness of both programs for the given review period. • Evaluation of feedback from DBEs and OJT participants to gauge satisfaction and perceived program effectiveness.• Evaluating the DelDOT DBE and OJT Program’s performance and effectiveness. • Prepare and submit a separate, detailed and comprehensive final report for the OJT Supportive Services and the DBE Supportive Services programs respectively.

Develop and deliver the BCDSS Work Activity Data Management & Reconciliation Tracker (WADMART) tool. Phase II WADMART BCDSS tool updates and customization. The WADMART was designed to assist Case Managers and Data/QA Reps in the following manners: (specific to BETP regulations and TANF program as administered in the State of Maryland)• Provided a single location to collect and analyze real-time information from multiple sources & systems (CWDS, CAP, CIS, KRONOS, KidSmart) for purposes of reconciliation.• Tracked all client participation levels or hours of participation.• Assisted Case Management & Data QA Reps by providing better tools for tracking client services, client lifecycle.• Provided programmed built-in logic based off of current contract guidelines that prompt the end-user to take action in various scenarios related to the movement of any customer throughout the lifecycle of their participation in the program.• Provided an offline internal tracking system that allowed a proper accurate reconciliation prior to official data entry into State and Federal systems.• Tracked all applicable administrative metrics as required by the EARN program contract.• Provided technical support, system maintenance, and system customization as needed.

ProRank provided strategic planning and subject matter expertise to assist The Enterprise Center (TEC) in preparing its initial grant to become the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business (OSDBU) Mid- Atlantic Small Business Transportation Resource Center (MA-SBTRC). Upon Successful award of the MASBTRC Grant, ProRank assists TEC in the strategic planning and development of the MASBTRC web resource portal.• Help TEC establish working relationships and mass coordination with the state and local transportation agencies and technical assistance agencies throughout the Mid- Atlantic Region.• Provided subject matter expertise on DOT's Operating Administrations, its funding sources, and how funding is awarded to DOT grantees.• Identified potential partners to establish a Regional Planning Committee of representatives from the regional community and federal, state, and local agencies.• Identified sources to construct a database of regional small businesses. • Provided best practices for program metrics tracking and reporting program activities.• Provided best practices to consolidate regional opportunities and resources on the MASBTRC web portal.

PA DBE Supportive Services Center:Joint initiative between PA Department of Transportation and Cheyney University for the support of small, woman and minority owned firms certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).