Consultant Services updates
Travel (Mileage) Reimbursement (January 2023)
Starting January 1, 2023, the standard IRS mileage rate for business use of a personal vehicle is increasing to .655 (cents) per mile. This new rate should be used for all contracts and consultant billing from January 1, 2023.
MnDOT Safe Harbor Program (June 2022)
In 2019, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the use of the Safe Harbor Overhead Rate Program for the consultant overhead rate calculation with a cap of 110%. The purpose of this program is to allow time for engineering consulting firms to satisfy the requirements of Part 31 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation for Overhead Calculations.
In 2022, MnDOT established a Safe Harbor Program for use with consultant contracts. Consulting firms that provide engineering and design-related services on fixed hourly rate contracts may be eligible to enroll in MnDOT’s Safe Harbor Program. This program allows a consulting firm to use MnDOT’s established Safe Harbor Overhead Rate of 110.00% of direct labor for the first two years that it is under contract to work with MnDOT.
To participate in the Safe Harbor Program, consultants must certify their intent and commitment to actively work with an accountant or bookkeeper to establish an accounting system, using QuickBooks or similar software.
- Additional information on how to participate: Safe Harbor Program Quick Look (PDF)
Solicitation Language for Contracting with Community-Based Organizations (February 2022)
MnDOT has developed recommended language that could be used in lieu of (or in addition) to the existing solicitation language when interested in contracting or sub-contracting with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) for engagement/communications work activities.
- View the language recommendations: Solicitation Language Recommendations for Contracting with Community Based Organizations (Word)