Bottom line: P3s offer multiple opportunities for DBE involvement in large, important projects that are managed by sophisticated companies who have the funding and long-term commitment to train small businesses and local workers. There can be hundreds of companies and subcontractors working on the engineering, design, program management, construction, financing, and operation and maintenance of a single project over 30-plus years. Many represent an opportunity for DBE hiring and training.

“The P3 model is the best way to achieve diversity goals,” says Steve Dewitt, who had a long career in the public sector, and is now Senior Vice President Business Development of ACS Infrastructure Development, Inc.