Webinar tomorrow: Winning Over Prime Contractors
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Note From Angela
Hello, Kansas DBEs!
Reminder, our monthly virtual meeting is next Wednesday, May 7 at 12pm. If you haven’t received a calendar invite for this series of online events, please reach out.
During next week’s meeting, I’ll provide an overview of financial statements: how to read them and what to look out for. Please email us if you have a specific question you would like me to address. Depending on questions, we may have time for open discussion/Q&A on other topics.
Below, we have a selection of news items below about how tariffs are impacting the construction industry and businesses in Kansas. This is an ever-changing situation so we know it’s hard to keep up. We are working to bring someone in to lead a discussion and Q&A about tariffs during our monthly meeting. Please reach out if you have an urgent question about tariffs and we will try to find an answer for you.
Ubuntu!
Angela
Angela Motsinger
KDOT DBE Supportive Services
Dates & Deadlines
Wednesday, May 7
DBE Monthly Discussion
12-1:30pm, Teams
Please email if you don’t have this on your calendar already.
Topic: Financial Statements
May 21
KDOT Bid Letting
See proposals here.
Wednesday, June 4
DBE Monthly Discussion
12-1:30pm, Teams
Please email if you don’t have this on your calendar already.
Topic: TBA
News
Tariffs
Trump says China tariffs will ‘come down substantially,’ hinting at potential U-turn (April 23)
US President Donald Trump has signaled a potential U-turn on his trade war with China amid continued market volatility, saying the high tariffs on Chinese goods will “come down substantially, but it won’t be zero.”Trump’s remarks, made at a White House news event Tuesday, appear to mark a rhetorical climbdown after weeks of tough posturing and tit-for-tat retaliation that sent tariffs on China beyond a staggering 145%.“145% is very high and it won’t be that high,” Trump said in a question-and-answer session with reporters in the Oval Office. “It won’t be anywhere near that high. It’ll come down substantially. But it won’t be zero.”Your contract can mitigate tariff impacts, if you know where to look (April 21)
Two construction lawyers detail how cost-plus, guaranteed maximum price and lump sum agreements work in light of higher import duties.The construction industry, and the larger market itself, is facing uncertainty in light of the ever-evolving tariff landscape. This confusion is unsurprising given the institution, and reversal, of varied tariffs over the last several months.
The threat of increased prices has caused many contractors and subcontractors to begin increasing their prices by as much as 20%, while others are delaying potential contracts until the situation stabilizes. A contractor who entered into a contract on April 1 , 2025 may have done so on the basis of significantly different pricing than exists today.How Construction Contractors Can Mitigate the Impact of Tariffs (April 17)
If the past two months are any indication, the implementation of tariffs by the U.S. on Canada, Mexico, China and other countries will continue to be unpredictable. But the construction industry can’t wait to develop a strategy for managing the disruptions and cost increases that lie ahead in the coming months and years.General contractors and trade contractors face particularly steep challenges, especially as many have contracts in place for projects that require them to assume the risk of rising material costs. They’re under heavy pressure to adapt to high tariffs while accounting for shortages, higher prices and supply chain disruptions.
Trump’s tariffs could make Kansas highway and road construction much more expensive (April 2)
The Kansas Department of Transportation said that federal steel and aluminum tariffs, which are already in place, are going to make it more expensive to work. Another wave of tariffs are expected on April 2.
Federal tariffs could soon be propelling the costs of state construction projects higher in Kansas, officials are saying.
In February, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum. He did it because foreign countries are “flooding the United States market with cheap steel and aluminum, often subsidized by their governments.”
Calvin Reed, secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation, said those tariffs could have a huge impact on projects. He said the average cost for construction is already 40% higher when compared to projections from 2020.
Additional news
Governor Kelly announces over $14M for 47 aviation projects across Kansas (April 25)Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday $14.5 million for 47 aviation projects across the state through the Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP), which provides funding for planning, construction, and rehabilitation of public-use general aviation airports. “The Kansas aerospace industry is an essential part of our state’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Keeping our aviation infrastructure in optimal condition is a large part of that economic growth and job creation, allowing local businesses and communities to prosper.” The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation received 81 applications seeking a combined total project value of more than $42 million for this round of KAIP grants. Projects were selected from across the state and focused on pavement preservation, safety, and air ambulance accessibility to remote communities. Read more here.
Governor Kelly Announces Over $8.1M for Rural Road Safety Improvements (April 10)
11 rural roadway projects will receive a total of $8.1 million in federal funds through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program.“Made possible through the IKE Transportation Program, these projects address much needed upgrades of rural roadways,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By improving intersections, signage, and other critical roadway features, we are building momentum for a safer, stronger Kansas.”The HRRR program is federally funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program and is designed to improve the safety and efficiency of rural roads. An additional $1.6 million in local funds will be utilized for the selected projects. This year’s 11 HRRR projects were selected from 29 applications seeking $29.9 million in funds. Read more here.
IRS Reaches Deal To Share Data With Homeland Security (April 8)The Department of Homeland Security and the Internal Revenue Service finalized an agreement Monday to provide sensitive taxpayer data to federal immigration authorities as part of President Donald Trump’s deportation push, according to court filings.As part of the deal, the IRS agreed to turn over information about undocumented immigrants who DHS says are already facing deportation orders and are under federal criminal investigation, including for the crime of failing to leave the country, according to the filings. Read more here.
