DBE or TGB/VET: how MnDOT's Nov. 18 projects split by goal type and funding

Every project on the Minnesota Department of Transportation's advertisement page lists a goal type and three goal columns: DBE, TGB and VET. A look at the nine projects on the Nov. 18, 2026 letting shows a clean split.

The split

DBE goal type (6 projects):

• 260134, Highway 61, White Bear Lake: 10.40%
• 260138, Highway 95 at County Road 22, Cottage Grove: 6.70%
• 260133, Highway 210, Pillager: 5.50%
• 260132, Highway 169, Mankato: 5.20%
• 260145, Highways 59 and 167, Lyon and Yellow Medicine counties: N/A
• 260151, I-694 signing, Hennepin County: N/A

TGB/VET goal type (3 projects):

• 260130, Highway 169 noise wall, Hennepin County: TGB 4.10%, VET 0
• 260149, Bridge No. 4190 over the Minnesota River: TGB 0, VET 0
• 260152, District 7 signing: TGB 0, VET 0

Funding lines up with goal type

All three TGB/VET projects say "STATE FUNDS" in their job descriptions. All six DBE projects list federal-aid program codes such as NHPP, STBG or HSIP. That matches how the programs work: the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program applies to federally assisted contracts, while targeted group (TGB) and veteran-owned (VET) small business goals are Minnesota programs that MnDOT lists on state-funded work.

What the "N/A" means

Two DBE-type projects list "N/A" in the DBE column: the 20.489-mile ultra-thin bonded wearing course job in Lyon and Yellow Medicine counties, and the 8.037-mile I-694 signing project. The advertisement does not explain the N/A. Bidders should check each proposal for the actual contract requirements rather than relying on the summary table.

Where the goals are highest

The four projects with DBE percentages are all corridor or intersection jobs that combine paving with signals, lighting, roundabouts or structures. Those projects offer the most room for subcontracted scopes, such as electrical, concrete flatwork, landscaping, erosion control and trucking, which is where certified firms often participate.

For small and certified firms

• DBEs: DBE certification in Minnesota is handled through the Minnesota Unified Certification Program. Watch federally funded MnDOT projects with DBE percentages.
• Targeted group and veteran-owned businesses: the state-funded projects are where TGB and VET goals appear. On this letting, only the Highway 169 noise wall in Hennepin County has a goal above zero.

Primes and subs can find each other through this site's Sub Finder and county hubs.

Elsewhere on the schedule

MnDOT's advertisement page also lists lettings on Nov. 4, Nov. 10 and Dec. 2. The Nov. 10 letting includes a Dakota County project (contract 260704) for grading, concrete and bituminous pavement, retaining and noise walls, signal systems and lighting.

Size of the jobs

The advertisement lists a length for eight of the nine projects:

• 260145, Lyon and Yellow Medicine: 20.489 miles
• 260133, Cass: 8.679 miles
• 260151, Hennepin (I-694 signing): 8.037 miles
• 260132, Blue Earth and Nicollet: 2.769 miles
• 260130, Hennepin (Highway 169 noise wall): 0.817 miles
• 260149, Bridge No. 4190: 0.778 miles
• 260134, Ramsey: 0.665 miles
• 260138, Washington: 0.643 miles

Length is a poor guide to cost. The shortest projects on the list include a bridge and two corridor rebuilds, while the longest is a thin resurfacing.

How to bid MnDOT work

MnDOT's advertisement page lists each project by letting date, with its S.P. number, contract ID, district, county, goal type and goal percentages, and a link to view the project's items. Bidders should read each project's proposal for requirements. MnDOT's bid letting site links to Bid Express for electronic bidding. Public work contracts in Minnesota require performance and payment bonds under Minn. Stat. § 574.26, except for contracts below the threshold in § 471.345 and other listed exceptions. This site's MnDOT bidding guide has more.

Every MnDOT project, with its goal type, is on our bids page.