Business Learning and Development

Business Development Training Academy

The nine-week BDTA seeks to support small businesses during the lifecycle of its interaction at DEN by providing training at all transitional points of the industry.

The BDTA helps these firms have a systematic approach to entering DEN as a subcontractor in the areas of Construction, Professional Services, Goods/Services and Concessions. The three primary goals of the BDTA are to create, educate and cultivate an environment where they can grow and connect with other companies and industry groups.

The BDTA helps build a pipeline for certified firms, from learning about opportunities to graduating from Division of Small Business Opportunity (DSBO) certified program. As a result of these trainings, DEN will be able to increase the pool of certified firms ready, willing and able to do work and be successful at DEN.

Learn More about BDTA View the BDTA Graduate Directory and Read What Graduates Learned

Mentor Protégé Program

This program is managed by the City’s Division of Small Business Opportunity (DSBO) and supports the City’s commitment to expanding the capacity of minority/women-owned businesses (M/WBEs).

In support of that commitment, the Citywide Mentor-Protégé program matches larger firms with M/WBEs to assist small firms in developing the necessary skills to scale their businesses and gain educational and networking opportunities directly from participating City departments and agencies.

The Commerce Hub team sets up introductions to various team members in other DEN divisions throughout the season that can assist the teams with their goals. Currently the focus is on construction, design, engineering and professional service teams. The Commerce Hub team is working on expanding the program for concessions in the 2023 season.

Visit the Citywide Mentor-Protégé Program to Apply

Past Business Education Courses

Basics for Required Computer Programs – Afternoon 1:
Presentation
Oct. 11, 2017 Revit, BIM 360 Glue, BIM 360 Field, Model Stream. This session provided an overview of these programs and the requirements for consultants and contractors.

Basics for Required Computer Programs – Afternoon 2:
Presentation
Oct. 18, 2017 Textura, Unifier, LCP Tracker, B2G. This session provided an overview of these programs and the requirements for consultants and contractors.

Review of the “Yellow Book” and the Project Closeout Process:
Presentation
Nov. 2, 2017 DEN managers discussed misconceptions and assumptions surrounding the “Yellow Book,” and the project closeout process.

Upcoming AIM Infrastructure Projects:
Presentation
Nov. 14, 2017 The DEN AIM Civil Infrastructure team reviewed 2018 design and construction projects.

Nov. 15, 2017: AIM and USDOT Contractor Best Practices:
Partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation, this class addressed estimating and bidding; how to best resolve disputes and claims; and how to best manage growth of a Small Business Enterprise. This class will be offered twice: once on Nov 15, 2017, and again Feb. 28, 2018.

Collaboration, Project Delivery Methods, and Contract Procurement:
Presentation
Dec. 6, 2017 DEN managers discussed the importance of collaboration, BIM 360 Glue, and contract procurement process.

New AIM Processes and How They Relate to Strategic Objectives:
Presentation
Jan. 10, 2018 DEN staff discussed the Capital Planning Committee, Design Review Committee, Technical Review Committee, Capital Plan Life Cycle, Project Plan Life Cycle, and the Permit Process.

Upcoming AIM Facility Projects:
Presentation
Jan. 24, 2018 The Director and Supervisors who manage AIM Facility projects reviewed 2018 design and construction projects.

AIM and USDOT Contractor Best Practice: Feb. 28, 2018
Dinner provided by the Commerce HubPartnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation and RTD, this class addressed estimating and bidding; how to best resolve disputes and claims; and how to best manage growth of a Small Business Enterprise. This class has been offered twice: once on Nov. 15, 2017, and again on Feb. 28, 2018.

Basics for Required Computer Programs – Afternoon 1:
Presentation
Textura, Unifier, LCP Tracker, B2G – This session provided an overview of these programs and the requirements for consultants and contractors.

Basics for Required Computer Programs – Afternoon 2:
Presentation
Revit, BIM 360 Glue, BIM 360 Field, Model Stream – This session provided an overview of these programs and the requirements for consultants and contractors.

Upcoming AIM Infrastructure Projects
Presentation
The director and supervisors who manage AIM civil infrastructure projects reviewed 2017 design and construction projects.

AIM and USDOT Contractor Best Practices
Partnered with the US Department of Transportation and RTD, this class addressed estimating and bidding with a guest speaker from Saunders Construction; how to best resolve disputes and claims with a member of the Denver City Attorney’s staff; and how to best manage growth of a Small Business Enterprise.

Collaboration and Project Delivery Methods with AIM
Presentation
A discussion was led by the director of Facility Services on the importance of collaboration between owner, consultants and contractors. Also, a discussion of the future of our collaboration with BIM 360 Glue.

New AIM Processes and How They Relate to Strategic Objectives
Presentation
The discussion included an overview of the Capital Planning Committee (CPC), Design Review Committee (DRC), Technical Review Committee (TRC), Capital Plan Life Cycle, Project Plan Life Cycle, and the Permit Process.

Upcoming AIM Facility Projects
Presentation
The director and supervisors who manage AIM facility projects reviewed 2017 design and construction projects.

AIM Development – Project Close-Out Process
Presentation
AIM Development contract administrators and project managers guided the class through the DEN project close-out process.

AIM and USDOT Contractor Best Practices
Partnering with the US Department of Transportation and RTD for a repeat performance, this class addressed estimating and bidding with a guest speaker from Saunders Construction; how to best resolve disputes and claims with a member of the Denver City Attorney’s staff; and how to best manage growth of a Small Business Enterprise.

Partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide Day 1 of a two-day program.
Day 1 consisted of three classes that focused on the Bonding Education Program, making a business plan, developing a business team and marketing basics, construction accounting, banking relationships, bonding, insurance and meeting with local surety agents.

DAY 2 – AIM SBE Bonding Program
Day 2 of the SBE Bonding Education Program included: estimating and bidding with a guest speaker from Saunders Construction; how to best resolve disputes and claims with a member of the Denver City Attorney’s staff; and how to best manage growth of a Small Business Enterprise.

Upcoming AIM Infrastructure Projects:
Presentation
The director and supervisors who manage AIM civil infrastructure projects reviewed upcoming 2016 design and construction projects.

Upcoming AIM Facility Projects:
Presentation
The director and supervisors who manage AIM facility projects reviewed upcoming 2016 design and construction projects.

Basics for Required Computer Programs – Unifer, LCP Tracker, B2G
Presentation
An overview of each program was given, and DEN staff discussed what will be required of consultants and contractors for specific projects.

Basics for Required Computer Programs – Revit, BIM 360 Glue, BIM 360 Field
Presentation
An overview of each program was given and DEN staff discussed what will be required of consultants and contractors for specific projects.

Project Closeout Process
Presentation
AIM Development contract administrators and project managers guided the class through the project closeout process.

Collaboration and Project Delivery Methods with AIM
Presentation
Guest speaker – Gretchen Gagel – “Innovations in Collaboration”Guest from LCI – Susan Pratt – “Innovation in Project Delivery” A discussion was led by the director of Facility Services on the importance of collaboration between owner, consultants and contractors. Also discussed was the future of our collaboration with BIM 360 Glue and PMO.

New AIM Processes and How They Relate to DEN Strategic Objectives
Presentation
DEN staff reviewed new AIM processes and how they relates to the Strategic Objectives. Discussion included a basic overview of the Capital Planning Committee (CPC), Design Review Committee (DRC) and Technical Review Committee (TRC)

Business Development Training Academy

The business learning and development portfolio focuses on supporting certified firms and advancing the City and County of Denver’s priority of small business equity, sustainability and growth.

Mentor Protégé Program

Past Business Education Courses

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