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PRIORITY ACTION # 2
ALL DBEs/MWSBEs MUST CALL ADOT TO PUSH GOALS BACK INTO PLACE

DBEs & MWSBEs WE NEED YOUR HELP GETTING ADOT GOALS BACK IN PLACE.
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BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY
FNF CEO UPDATE November 13, 2009

One of our major goals as revealed on October 28th at the DBN meeting was to secure more
contracts for DBEs & MWSBEs over the next couple of years.  Although many of you have little
faith in the system, we believe that speaking directly to the decision makers is the beginning of
building that bridge. With or without DBE/MWSBE/SDB goals in place, the environment has
changed.  Therefore business strategies must change. We need to ensure that large primes
and large corporations see small businesses, DBEs & MWSBEs as viable enterprises.  

On Friday, November 13, 2009, I personally spoke with Matt Gulley, President & CEO of FNF
Construction, one of the largest builders in the southwest. Many of you are familiar with this
company because at least 50 of you stated that you had not received a contract this year or
last from FNF Construction or any other large AZDOT primes.  I informed Mr. Gulley that out of
51 DBEs/MWSBEs surveyed only 2 DBEs had received a contract with a prime in 2008 &
2009.  

Mr. Gulley informed me that their bid notification process has not changed. They continue to
send out email notifications to DBEs expecting return responses.  FNF respects, appreciates
and invites DBEs/MWSBEs to bid and pursue contracts with FNF Construction. He wanted me
to recognize that FNF does care about having relationships with DBEs/MWSBEs and welcomes
the opportunity.  FNF has assisted in the growth and development of quite a few smaller
companies within the last year.  

On a more important note, we had the discussion of addressing the following:

The methods utilized by FNF to notify DBEs/MWSBEs on bid opportunities- since their    
process has not changed, we need to determined if notifications are reaching DBEs.

As discussed at the DBN event, how many DBEs are actually bidding on FNF projects,
how often and what is the DBE's/MWSBE's follow-up process?

How qualified is the DBE/MWSBE, do they have everything in place to effectively and
efficiently complete the job? FNF has some added some additional requirements.

As discussed at the DBN meeting, can the GC work with the smaller company and not
worry about liability? Is the company bonded or capitalized to ensure project completion?

How solid is the management team? What is the DBEs strategy to grow the company?

I assured Mr. Gulley that many of the DBEs/MWSBEs are prepared with positive responses to the questions outlined above.  For those that are not quite ready, it is up to company's like
EDG to prepare the DBE/MWSBE to take the necessary steps in preparation for working with
the larger primes.

In summary, Mr. Gulley appears to be willing to do what it takes by allowing his team to work
directly with us to help DBEs secure more contracts.  This is just the beginning, EDG will work
with FNF & other GCs to represent it's clients through the contracting process with primes &
corporations.  Our involvement will also determine what's needed on both sides to help the
process work better to benefit all.

Click here to interview and present your company/bid to FNF on Thursday, Nov. 19th.