CITY OF AUSTIN

… a publication for the City of Austin Small & Minority Business Resources Department 

 

Every Week Construction Contractors, Subcontractors & Suppliers Will Receive — Notices About City Construction Projects — News About Other Upcoming Projects & Events — Information About Bid Results & Awards (when available) — Plus Free Use Of The Plans & Computer Center

Invitations For Bids For The Week Of October 5 - 9, 2020 fyi: City of Austin Bid Notices Are Posted On The City of Austin Purchasing Office

~ Website: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/purchasing ~

BIDDING ON CITY OF AUSTIN SOLICITATIONS? BIDDERS MUST ATTEND MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCES AND ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND ANY NON-MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCES TO ENSUSRE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF OWNER’S BIDDING AND CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS, PARTICULARY MBE/WBE PROCUREMENT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. IF THE PRE-BID CONFERENCE IS MANADATORY THE BIDDER MUST ARRIVE AND SIGN-IN WITHIN FIFTEEN 15) MINUTES OF THE SCHEDULED START TIME OF THE MEETING. OTHERWISE THE BIDDER WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A BID FOR THE PROJECT. The City of Austin Online Vendor Registration and Solicitation Advertising website has changed. On October 1, 2011, the City installed the Vendor Connection, a replacement for the exist-ing registration and solicitation advertising websites. This new site may be accessed at http://www.austintexas.gov/financeonline/finance/index.cfm and select Vendor Connection. Solicitation details and document packages are available at this website. Bidders / Proposers are required to document efforts to solicit MBE/WBE or DBEs in the Compliance Plan. The Goals for each project and the instructions and forms for the Compliance Plan are included in the MBE/WBE or DBE Program Packet included in the solicitation. For construction contracts, the MBE/WBE or DBE Program Packet is a separately bound volume of the Project Manual.

City of Austin Project Name: DECKER DAM SLOUGH REPAIRS(CIP) Solicitation No.: IFB 6100 CLMC812 Estimated Value: $1,500,000 For info: Richard Duane, 512-482-5435 Vendor Conf: will be held at Teleconfernce at 11:00A on 9/16/20. Offers Due: prior to 2:00P on 10/8/20 Offers will be opened on 10/8/20 at 3:00P SMBR Contact: Oberembt, Jessica MBE/WBE Goals: African American 1.88% Hispanic 7.14% Asian/Native American 0.20.% WBE 1.82%

TRADES SUMMARY Grout Sealer Fuel Oil, Diesel Irrigation Systems, Supplies, Parts, And Accessori Borrow And Soil (See Class 790 For Top Soil) Grass Seed Sod, Grass Top Soil And Fill Dirt (For Mulch See Class 335) Signs, Construction Project Identification Signs Excavation, Borrow. Consists Of Excavating, Transp Back Fill, Porous Granular Material Back Fill Back Fill, Trench.(Furnish, Transport Fine Aggregate) Embankments, Construction Of. This Work Photography, Construction Hauling Services Survey (Not Aerial Or Research Storage Space Rental Garbage/Refuse Equipment (Dumpsters, Etc.) Rental Toilets, Portable, Rental Or Lease Fence Installation And Repair Hydromulching Services

Get City - MBE/WBE/DBE Certified!

Key Voting dates and deadlines Election day is Nov. 3

Registration deadlines By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 5 In person: Oct. 5

Absentee ballot deadlines Request: Oct. 23 Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.

Early voting Oct. 13 - Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live

Source: Travis County

Project Name: ELECTRIFICATION INFRASTRUCTURE PHASE 3 IDIQ Estimated Value: $500,000 Solicitation No: CLMC818 Download bid docs from the City of Austin Vendor Connection website at https:// www.austintexas.gov/financeonline/vendor_connection/index.cfm . No Deposit re-quired. Virtual Pre-Bid Conference will be held 9/22/20, 10:00 am (see Section 00020, Item 11, for link and instructions on attending the virtual Pre-bid Meeting). Offers due prior to 2:00 pm on 10/8/20. For info: Laurie Thering, Project Manager, 512-974-7035 or laurie.thering@austintexas.gov . MBE/WBE Goals: African American 1.46% Hispanic 4.11% Native/Asian 1.10% WBE 1.74%

TRADES SUMMARY Underground Cables And Wires, Solid And Stranded, Fencing, Temporary (For Construction And Barricades, Traffic, Portable Steel, Reinforcing, Bars And Rods

Project Name: ELECTRIFICATION INFRASTRUCTURE PHASE 3 IDIQ Estimated Value: $125,000 Solicitation No: CLMC811 Scope of Work: The Work generally consists of Deployment of L2 Charging Stations in Austin Energy’s service territory. Download bid docs from the City of Austin Vendor Connection website at https://www.austintexas.gov/financeonline/vendor_connection/index.cfm . No Deposit required. For info: Laurie Thering, Project Manager, 512-974-7035 or laurie.thering@austintexas.gov . Virtual Pre-Bid Conference will be held 9/22/20, 10:00 am (see Section 00020, Item 11, for link and instructions on attending the virtual Pre-bid Meeting). Offers due prior to 2:00 pm on 10/8/20. Compliance plans due prior to 2:00 PM on 10/8/20

TRADES SUMMARY Coatings, Paint, Structural, Bridge, Meeting Dept. Spec. D-9 Repair Services, Concrete, Including Removal And Replace Structures, Steel (Furnish, Fabricate, Transport, Erect)

Project Name: ZILKER METRO PARK - MAINTENANCE BARN RE PLACEMENT Estimated Value: $2,100,000 Solicitation No: IFB 6100 CLMC821 Non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference: 09/28/2020 at 1:30 P.M. (Austin time), via webinar. Bids/Compliance Plans due prior to 2:00 PM on 10/22/2020. . Download bid docs from the City of Austin Vendor Connection website at https://www. austintexas.gov/financeonline/vendor_connection/index.cfm . No Deposit required. For info: Kalpana Sutaria, Project Manager, 512-974-7225 or alpana.sutaria@austintexas.gov. MBE/WBE Goals: African American 2.72% Hispanic 4.87%, Native/Asian 0.71% WBE 2.38%

TRADES SUMMARY Tile, Floor And Wall, Ceramic, Glazed Millwork: Counters/ Custom-Made Cabinets/Shelves, Inlets, Storm Drain, Precast Lighting Fixtures, Outdoor: Floodlights, Spotlight Sheetrock/Accesss Cement/Corners/ Trees, Ornamental And Shade Pipe, Concrete, Reinforced Pipe, Water, Ductile Iron Pipe, Pvc, Sewer Irrigation Systems, Supplies, Parts, And Accessori Asphalt, Ac (Asphalt/Cement) Manholes, Manhole Covers, Frames, Grates, Ring Bldg Construct/Non-Resid (Ofc Bldg) Doors And Windows Finishes: Flooring, Wall And Ceiling, Construction, Pipeline Construction, Sewer And Storm Drain Maintenance And Repair, Highway And Road Concrete Electrical Heating, Ventilating Air Condit(Hvac) Insulation Masonry Plumbing Structural And Reinforcement Steel Trade Services, Construction, (Not Otherwise Classifi Photography, Construction Signs, Message Centers, Scoreboards, Etc. (Includi Lab/ Field Testing Sics (Not Otherwi Hauling Services Traffic Ctrl Device Placement/Remv Svc Toilets, Portable, Rental Or Lease Erosion Control Services Landscaping (Including Design, Fertilizing, Planting Hauling Services Survey (Not Aerial Or Research Telephone (Utility, Light) Pole Install Tree And Shrub Removal Services Toilets, Portable, Rental Or Lease Erosion Control Services Landscape Inclu Design/Fertilizing Plant Landscaping, Tree And Plant Protection During

People Who Violate Austin Mask Rules Could Be Fined Up To $2,000. Austin will now enforce laws that require people to wear facial coverings in public and penalize busi-nesses for not following measures that aim to re-duce the spread of COVID-19.

Travis County released an accompanying order Thursday that requires facial coverings and bans gatherings of more than 10 people. People found to be in violation of the rule on gatherings could face a fine of up to $1,000; the penalty for not wearing a mask is up to $250.

Project Name: ASBESTOS CEMENT WATER PIPE AND W W LINE REPLACEMENT (NE) Solicitation Cost Estimate: $3,514,787 Solicitation Number: IFB 6100 CLMC815 Scope of Work: This project includes the removal and replacement of approximately: - 1,900 LF of 6" asbestos cement water pipe on Carwill Drive with 8" PVC pipe - 1,500 LF of 6" asbestos cement water pipe on E. Meadow Bend Drive with 12" PVC pipe - 1,700 LF of 6" asbestos cement water pipe on Inspiration Drive with 8" PVC pipe - 400 LF of 6" asbestos cement water pipe on W. Village Court with 8" PVC pipe As well as the installation of approximately: - 1,700 LF of 8" PVC wastewater pipe on Inspiration Drive - 1,100 LF of 8" PVC water pipe on Deloney Street - 300 LF of 8" PVC water pipe on Commerce Street - 500 LF of 8" PVC wastewater pipe on 16th Street The project also includes pipe rehabilitation of approximately: - 350 LF of wastewater pipe on Deloney Street - 200 LF of wastewater pipe on Commerce Street New fire hydrants will also be installed at several locations, including (4) on Carwill Drive, (1) on E. Meadow Bend Drive, (2) on Inspiration Drive, and (1) on W. Village Court. General Information: Download bid docs from the City of Austin Vendor Connection website at https://www.austintexas.gov/financeonline/vendor_connection/index.cfm . No Deposit required. For info: Javi Gonzalez , Project Manager, 512-974-5635 or javi.gonzalez@austintexas.gov. A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on 09/23/2020 at 1:30 P.M. (Austin time), via webinar. All bids and compliance plans are due prior to (Austin time) 2:00 PM on 10/22/2020. MBE/WBE Goals: African American 1.86% Hispanic 5.23% Native/Asian 0.39% WBE 1.28%

Trades Summary Fencing, Temporary (For Construction Hydrants, Fire (Including Accessories, Parts) Pipe, Pvc, Water Pipe, Iron (Includes Ductile Iron Pipe) Pipe, Pvc, Sewer Asphalt, Ac (Asphalt/Cement) Manholes, Covers/Frames/Grates/Ring Asbestos Removal Services Excavation Services Construction Services, Heavy Construction, Pipeline Maintenance/Repair, Asphaltic Surfaces (Travel Lanes Photography, Construction Laboratory And Field Testing Services Boring For Road Crossing Hauling Services Plumbers, Personnel, Temporary Survey (Not Aerial Or Research Traffic Sign Installation Well Pointing Services (Dewatering) Toilets, Portable, Rental Or Lease Pumps And Accessory Rental Or Lease Traffic Control Equipment, Access Rental Erosion Control Services Fence Installation And Repair

Project Name: ASBESTOS CEMENT WATER PIPE and WW LINE REPLACEMENT (NE) Solicitation No. IFB 6100 CLMC815 Estimated Value: $3,514,787 Vendor Conf: will be held at Virtual at 1:30P on 9/23/20 Offers Due: prior to 2:00P on 10/22/20 Solicitation Requestor: Gonzalez, Javi SMBR Contact: Kalu, Kenneth MBE/WBE Goals: African American 1.86% Hispanic 5.23% Asian/Native American 0.39.% WBE 1.28%

TRADES SUMMARY Fencing, Temporary (For Construction And Other Ind Hydrants, Fire (Including Accessories And Parts) Pipe, Pvc, Water Pipe, Iron (Includes Ductile Iron Pipe) Pipe, Pvc, Sewer Asphalt, Ac (Asphalt/Cement) Manholes, Manhole Covers, Frames, Grates, Ring Asbestos Removal Services Excavation Services Construction Services, Heavy Construction, Pipeline Maint/Repair/Asphaltic Surfaces (Travel Lanes Photography, Construction Laboratory Field Testing Services (Not Otherwi Boring For Road Crossing Hauling Services Plumbers, Personnel, Temporary Survey (Not Aerial Or Research Traffic Sign Installation Well Pointing Services (Dewatering) Toilets, Portable, Rental Or Lease Pumps/Pump Access Rental Or Lease Traffic Ctrl Equipment/Access Rental O Erosion Control Services Fence Installation And Repair

City of Austin Solicitations -CON’T

Companies, Colleges Retool to Produce Much-Needed Face Masks

Construction  companies  large  and  small and even individuals are  making  plastic face  shields  to  help augment  the  dwin‐dling  supplies  of personal  protective equipment  for health care workers.  Daniel  Lax,  a  2012 ENR  Newsmaker, has  converted production  at  his company,  Clear‐Vu  Lighting,  to make  PPE face  shields.  So  far,  the  company  has produced more  than 100,000  shields.    “A local  hospital  came  to  us  for  help,”  Lax says.  “One  of  our  business  customers  is NYC Transit, and they have 50 people who died  so  far.”  Because  Lax  and  his  team have  friends  and  family  who  have  died from  COVID‐19,  “It  hits  a  personal  vein,” he  says.  The  Clear‐Vu  face  shields  are  a two‐piece assembly with integrated foam. “For  our  business,  we  learned  a  new capability.”    Others  are  using  3D  printers and  laser  cutters  to make  the  shields.  In less  than  a  week,  Cornell’s  College  of Architecture, Art and Planning has turned its  entire  digital  fabrication  lab  into  a facility for face shields using a design that was  verified  by  Weill  Cornell  Medicine. Other  labs  across  campus  and  Cornell alumni  at  Handel  Associates,  KPF,  BIG, Grimshaw and Terreform have also joined the effort.  A request from two New Jersey hospitals was  the catalyst  for engineering students  and  faculty  at  Rowan University in  southern  New  Jersey  to  design  and distribute free 3D‐printed face masks.  The masks  are  the  brainchild  of  Ben  Saracco, 

research  and  digital  services  librarian  for Cooper  Medical  School  at  the  university, Shreekanth Mandayam,  on  the  faculty  of Rowan’s  electrical  and  computer  engi‐

neering  department and George Lecakes, a  Ph.D.  engineering student and director of  Rowan’s  Virtual Reality  Center.    The washable,  reusable masks were adapted last  month  from  a design shared online by  Billings  Clinic Foundation  in 

Montana  after  Lecakes'  initial  prototype didn’t  seal  well.  Rowan  modified  the Billings  design  to  be  a  cup‐shaped  mask printed  from  spools  of  plastic  and  fitted with  a  removable  filter.    Rowan’s  masks are  being  tested  at  Cooper  University Health Care and Inspira He Health systems hospitals in southern New Jersey, with the school  planning  to  manufacture  100  per day.    General  Electric  Co.  is  using  3D printing  to  produce  an  adapter  that  can quickly  convert  a  standard  hardhat  and visor  into  a  face  shield  to  protect  the masks worn by health professionals treat‐ing patients. “It fits onto almost any com‐bination  of  hat  and  shield,”  says  Josh Mook,  an  engineering  executive  at  GE’s 3D printing unit. He says it also allows the wearer to easily raise and lower the visor. Printing  the  adapter  takes  about  15 min‐utes,  he  says.    John  Deere,  working  with the United Auto Workers, started produc‐ing  face  shields  on  April  8  in Moline,  Ill., and  expects  to  produce  25,000  shields initially;  the  company  has  ordered  sup‐plies for up to 200,000 face shields. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN DEERE

City of Austin Solicitations -CON’T  

Ullrich WTP Low Service Pump Station Electrical Feed Renewal. CLMC822.

For info Robyn Haasch 512-974-2624. A Virtual Vendor Conf will be held on September

17, 2020 at 10:00 AM. Offers due prior to October 22, 2020 at 2:00 PM.

Offers will be opened on Oct 22, 2020 at 3:00 PM. This contract is contingent upon release of funds from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Any contract or contracts awarded under this Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Qualifica‐tions (RFQ) are expected to be funded in part by financial assis‐tance from the TWDB. Neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the State of Texas, nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees, are or will be a party to this IFB, RFQ, or any resulting contract.  

This contract is subject to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, which includes EPA‐approved fair share goals toward procurement of Minority and Women‐owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) busi‐nesses. EPA rules require that applicants and prime contractors make a good faith effort to award a fair share of contracts, subcon‐tracts, and procurements to M/WBEs through demonstration of the six affirmative steps. For more details of the DBE Program and the current, applicable fair share goals, please visit www.twdb.texas.gov/dbe.”   

All qualified Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the Department of Labor regulations at 41 CFR Part 60‐4, relating to Construction Contractors‐‐Affirmative Action Requirements, which include the President’s Executive Or‐der No. 11246, as amended by Executive Order No. 11375 and Ex‐ecutive Order No. 13672, in the award and administration of con‐tracts awarded under TWDB financial assistance agreements. Fail‐ure by the Contractor to carry out these requirements is a material breach, which may result in the termination of the awarded finan‐cial assistance.  

Any contract(s) awarded under this Invitation for Bids is/are subject to the American Iron and Steel (AIS) requirements of Section 608 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.”

Davis Bacon prevailing wage requirements apply to the construction.  

Commodity Codes: Category                 Code           Description         Category                 Code           Description Goods                               13508                Brick, Common     Goods                               13552                Stone Products, Fabricated Goods                               1502512            Doors, Steel       Goods                               1502937            Downspouts, Gutter Goods                               15034                Handrails, All Types       Goods                               15055                Overhead Doors: Garage, Etc. (Class 450  Ha Goods                               1509288            Windows, Aluminum       Goods                               28554                Lighting Fixtures, Indoor: All Kinds And Parts (In Goods                               2858455            Transformer Parts And Accessories     Goods                               33013                Fencing, Chain Link (Including Fabric, Gates, Pane Goods                               33055                Fencing, Temporary (For Construction And Other Ind Goods                               5404187            Timber, Landscape, Wolmanized, Kiln Dried Goods                               5507818            Barricades, Traffic, Portable     Goods                               5706842            Gratings, Walkway, Fabricated Steel Goods                               5707674            Steel, Reinforcing, Concrete     Goods                               57079                Steel Siding Goods                               63009                Coatings, Masonry (For Brick, Cinder Block, Concre‐Goods                               6584640            Pipe, Ductile Iron, Centrifugally Cast, Mech. Join Goods                               67060                Septic Tanks And Cesspools (Other Than Concrete)Goods                               75030                Concrete, Precast Goods                               75070                Ready‐Mix Concrete       Goods                               77041                Flashing, Eave Strips, Gravel Guards, Ridge Rolls, Goods                               80198                Signs, Construction Project Identification Signs (   Construction                   90937                Doors And Windows Construction                   90945                Finishes: Flooring, Wall And Ceiling, Etc.   Construction                   90976                Site Work Construction                   90984                Thermal And Moisture Protection Services   Non‐Professional           91051                Masonry, Concrete, Stucco, Maintenance, Finishing  Non‐Professional           91075                Wall And Ceiling Repair Replacement (Incl Drywalling) Construction                   91240                Demolition Services Construction                   91244                Excavation Services       Construction                   91336                Construction, Parking Lot And Alley Construction                   9133917            Back Fill, Porous Granular Material For Back Filli   

Construction                   9133918            Back Fill, Sand Furnish, Transport, Pl Sand Trenches Construction                   9133919            Back Fill, Trench.(Furnish, Transport Fine Aggregate)Construction                   9134565            Sewers, Storm (Type 1) With Fill Height Of 3 Ft. O Construction                   9135020            Base Course, Aggregate.      Construction                   91427                Carpentry Construction                   91430                Concrete         Construction                   91438                Electrical Construction                   91450                Heating, Ventilating And Air Conditioning (Hvac)   Construction                   91453                Insulation Construction                   91455                Masonry         Construction                   91458                Metal Work Construction                   91461                Painting         Construction                   91468                Plumbing Construction                   91473                Roofing         Construction                   91479                Structural And Reinforcement Steel Construction                   91488                Wood         Professional                    92557                Instrumentation/Engineering Non‐Professional           96239                Hauling Services       Non‐Professional           96877                Survey (Not Aerial Or Research Non‐Professional           96884                Traffic Control Device Placement And Removal Ser‐viceNon‐Professional   96893                Well Pointing Services (Dewatering) Non‐Professional           97108                Building, Fabricated, Rental Or Lease     Non‐Professional           97773                Toilets, Portable, Rental Or Lease Non‐Professional           98814                Erosion Control Services       Non‐Professional           98815                Fence Installation And Repair Non‐Professional           98852                Landscaping (Including Design, Fertilizing, Planting   Non‐Professional           9885299            Landscaping, Tree And Plant Protection During Cons Non‐Professional           99046                Guard And Security Services (Including Traffic Control) 

 

2020. . . Keep Your MBE/WBE/DBE Certifications

Current with the City of Austin Small & Minority Business Resources

Department (SMBR) Certification Division For more information call

512-974-7645

    

UPCOMING AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT  PROJECTS 

Project Name:           Roofing Repairs at Martin Middle School Solicitation No:           21CSP034 Virtual Pre‐Proposal Conf: 10:00 AM CST, October 13, 2020, Join Zoom Meeting                                                                https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81383668170?                                                  pwd=ek9uQm9lSUF4UUoxQ1NMaE1XdTFodz09                                                  Meeting ID:  813 8366 8170 Passcode:  12345 Virtual Bid Opening:            02:00 PM CST, November 3, 2020, Join Zoom Meeti‐             ng  Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/                                                   j/89769479812?                                                    pwd=UDJDYWNYQzNvc0lRa3RCaW8vY0huUT09               Meeting ID:  897 6947 9812       Passcode:  12345               Due to COVID‐19 precautions, to prevent the spread                                                     of COVID‐19, and in an effort to provide ongoing                                                    support and services, Austin ISD will accept proposals                                                    via email to morgan.wright@austinisd.org no later                                                     than November 3, 2020 at 2:00PM CST.  For Further Instructions:      https://ww.austinisd.org/cp/bids                                                     Morgan Wright (morgan.wright@austinisd.org)                                                      AISD Contract & Procurement Svcs HUB Goals:                               Minority Business Enterprise (MBE):  11.7%                                                        Women Business Enterprise (WBE):  10.2% 

Project Trade Summary Dumpster Service  Waterproofing Membrane and Base Sheet Insulation Material                          Roofing                                Roofing Supplies                              Plumbing                                           Heating, Ventilating, Air/Con        Electrical 

Mac, Inc. is soliciting Subcontractors and /or Suppliers

for the following project: Project Name: DECKER DAM SLOUGH REPAIRS Solicitation Number: C.I.P. PROJECT NUMBER: N/A CLMC812 Bid Date: 2:00 PM, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020 Offers Due: 8:00 AM, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020

Plans are available at the Austin area plan rooms, One Texas Center, Suite 1045A, 505 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, Texas 78704, SMBR’S plan room at 811 Barton Springs Rd. Ste 805, or can be downloaded at: https://www.ci.austin.tx.us/financeonline/vendor_connection/index.cfm

Make sure you check the COA web site for any ADDENDA

Scope of Work: The work consists of the complete construction of approximately 27,000 cubic yards of embankment slough repair with associated topsoil and seed-ing, sealing of approximately 3,145 linear feet of concrete joints, replacing approximately 4,500 linear feet of toe drain, repair of irrigation system, re-moval of vegetation and debris from drainage ditches and rock riprap, aban-donment of an inclinometer, and replacing a cap on the gate hoist.

Please check for additional scopes of work on this project Fuel, diesel Dumpster rental Signs: Construction Project ID Portable toilets Irrigation systems Hauling Construction photography Fence installation and repair Grass sod & grass seed Fill dirt Hydromulching Grout sealer

Contact Brad Bechtol at 512-326-3920 for detailed information on the scopes of work being subcontracted

and the relevant terms and conditions of the contract. Fax your bids to 512-326-3120.

 

 

 

 

 

About COVID Services

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in responding to the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) that is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness worldwide.

Your doctor will help make the decision if you should get tested for COVID‐19. If you do not have health insurance, you can still get tested for COVID‐19 if your doctor or healthcare provider rec-ommends it. For information about testing, you just need to call your doctor and/or access care the way you usually do. If you need help finding a doctor or accessing medical care, call 2‐1‐1 and they can di-rect you to low- or no-cost providers in your area. People can get tested for COVID‐19 at public testing sites and drive‐thru locations in certain parts of Texas. Thingstoconsiderwhenlookingforpublicordrive‐thrutestingsite:Do I know the screening criteria for the public/drive-thru testing site? Do I know the operating hours for the public/drive-thru testing site? Do I know if I need a referral from my doctor before I visit the pub lic/drive-thru testing site? Do I know if the public/drive-thru testing site is covered by my insurance provider and/or how the billing process works? Do I know what type of test is offered at the public/drive-thru test ing site? Do I know how to get my testing results? Call ahead or visit the testing site website for information, as screening criteria and operating hours may change. For Questions or Assistance Contact: Hours: 24/7 Email: coronavirus@dshs.texas.gov Phone:*Dial 2‐1‐1

List your company for construction and construction related opportunities: MBE/WBE/DBE/HUB Certifications do not guarantee your company a contract from the city, county, state, federal governments or the private sector. You still have to market your com-pany to each individual entity you desire to do business with.

To help you market your company to these entities, contact the following certifying agencies and get on their bidder’s list.  City  of  Austin  MBE/WBE/DBE  Certification  Small  & Minority  Business Resources Dept. 4201 Ed Bluestein Blvd., Austin, TX 78721 Contact:  Certification Division  512‐974‐7645   ‐State of Texas ‐  Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts  Statewide HUB Program HUB Certification 1711 San  Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX Contact:  512‐475‐2414  

TXDot (Texas Department of Transportation) Diversity & Economic Opportunity Office 125 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Contact:  512‐486‐5501 

 

    

  Other Certifying Agencies that serves  the State of Texas  

North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency 624 Six Flags Drive, Ste 216,  Arlington, TX Contact:  817‐640‐0606  

South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency  301 So. Frio, Ste 310, San Antonio, TX   Contact:  210‐227‐4722   

Note: Travis County and the Lower Colorado River Authority accepts MBE/WBE Certifications from the City of Austin and HUB Certification from the Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts Statewide HUB Program. Capital Metropolitan Trans-portation Authority accepts DBE Certification from the City of Austin Small and Minority Business Re-sources Department.

  ATTENTION: ESTIMATING  REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL:    Cepeda Library Renovation  PROJECT SUMMARY:  Renovation of the interior and exterior rejuvenation of an existing Library.  SCOPE OF WORK:   Scope of Work Includes but is not limited to: Grading for positive drainage away from building, demolition of concrete sidewalks, installation of new concrete side‐walks, pavers, landscape ( seeding, sod, trees, plants and new rain garden), re‐moval and replacement of cantera stone, EIFS, Waterproofing, metal framing, steel framing, interior demolition, painting, flooring, HVAC, HVAC‐ Controls, Plumbing and Electrical.   DRAWINGS:        Attached JOB SITE VISIT:    Available if Requested BID DATE:                                   10/06/2020 @ 5:00 PM      

INSURANCE AND BONDING REQUIREMENTS: 1. Workers’ Compensation:     Statutory 2. Employer’s Liability     $ 500,000.00 3. Comprehensive General Liability:   $1,000,000.00 each occurrence $1,000,000.00 in the aggregate 4. Comprehensive Automobile Liability (Any auto, hired auto, Non‐owned auto) a) Bodily Injury: $1,000,000.00 each person $1,000,000.00 each occurrence b) Property Damage: $1,000,000.00 each occurrence 5. Builder’s Risk:     full value of construction portion of contract  

Job site visit information and bidding documents will be provided  upon receipt of intent to bid. 

OUTREACH & RECRUITING AUSTIN AREA BLACK CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE SERVICES PROGRAM

The Austin Area Black Contractors Association, (ABCA) is currently recruiting African American Contractors who are City of Austin Certified Minority Construction Contrac-tors in need of services and assistance to help grow their businesses in the construc-tion industry. The following is a list of services and assistance are offered to the user at no cost: Construction Management and Administration • Provide a plans room to view & check-out plans & specs • Assist with reading & interpreting plans & specs • Advise on Cost Estimating Techniques • Advise on bid packaging requirements & documents • Disseminate Bid Tabulations

Business Law and Contracts • Review & advise on contracts & agreements • Advise on filing liens, bond claims & change orders

Marketing • Develop Company Profile Resumes • Assist with networking, pre bid conferences & referrals • Provide guidelines for user friendly marketing plans • Publish and disseminate weekly, Bid Briefs announcing upcoming construction bid opportunities

” Provide Interactive Group and On-line Training ” Provide One-On-One Technical Assistance

If you have any questions regarding the program’s services and enrollment process, please contact:

Carol S. Hadnot, Program Manager / Consultant Phone: 512-467-6894 ofc | E-mail: brc-pro@att.net

ABCA Website: abcatx.com

The Austin Area Black Contractors Association is reaching out to all

African American Construction Contractors located in the five county areas of

Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop and Caldwell

Product Snapshot: Work Gloves and Track Loader All four new ANSI/ISEA 105-2016-rated models of Sandy Nitrile gloves come with a 13-gauge, cut-resistant HPPE liner. The gloves’ Nitrile palm coating’s absorption abilities aid with grip in dry, wet and oily conditions. The GL609C and GL610C models also come with a reinforced thumb and TPR. The GL610C glove can be used with touchscreens.

2020. . . Keep Your MBE/WBE/DBE Certifications Current with the City of Austin

Small & Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) Certification Division

For more information call 512-974-7645

Download ABCA’s Website @ www.abcatx.com and click on the Con-tractor’s Tool Tip Guide Flip Pages and go

to pages 40-44 for more information on the Coronavirus Disease and long term affects on the US

Construction Industry.

Turner is currently accepting bids for the upcoming UT Bass Concert Hall project for  the  following  scopes  of  work:  Demolition,  Misc.  Metals,  Drywall,  Plaster, Flooring, Painting and Electrical. This project is located in Austin, TX. Bids will be due on Wednesday, October 14th at 11:00am. If you are interested in bidding on this  project,  please  contact  Fernando  Alcantara  at  falcantara@tcco.com.  For detailed information on each scope, please view the information below.  

DEMOLITION 1.  Provide selective interior demolition including removal of 3" lightweight con‐

crete over high density styrofoam and steps, light gauge frame platform and steps, railings and inserts attached to the balcony edges, audience seating, floor finishes wall and wood caps and access panel 

2.  Dumpster or site haul off for debris generated by demolition scope   

MISC METALS            1. Provide Built‐up wall volume with steel angles at Level 6 balcony parapet inc‐   luding welding to existing steel frame and diagonal bracing attached to existing    concrete structure             2.  Provide new metal access panel to match existing.   

DRYWALL 1.  Provide audience seating platforms including cold form metal framing, (3) layers 

of 3/4" fire‐treated plywood at Balcony Seating Lower Levels  2.  Provide steps assemblies including cold form metal framing, (1) layer of 3/4" fire

‐treated plywood and (1) layer of concrete subfloor panels at Balcony Seating Lower Levels  

3.  Provide acoustic batt insulation in the underside of new seating platform and stairs assemblies  

4.  Provide acoustic batt insulation at extended parapet wall at Level 6  5.  Provide half wall at upper portion of Level 4 & 6 6.  Provide blocking between existing studs for new wall mounted handrail and 

restore drywall surface to original condition 7.  Signed and sealed drawings provided by Delegated Engineer for structural 

assemblies 

PLASTER 1.    Provide 3/4" furring channels spot weld to steel angle frame along Level 6 balcony parapet extension including metal lath and 3/4" plaster  

FLOORING            1.  Provide subfloor preparation at areas to receive new floor finishes            2.  Provide new carpet and linoleum flooring, at indicated areas             3.  Provide new rubber base to all areas scheduled to receive new floor finish            4.  Provide ADD ALTERNATE for floor protection 

 

PAINTING            1.         Painting of existing balcony plaster edge wall on Level 4 and edge parapet wall                                     on Level 6            2.          Painting of new half wall partitions            3.          Painting of new steps edges            4.          Stain new wood caps  

ELECTRICAL           1.  Remove existing seating and step lighting, salvaging existing circuits for recon  nection to new lighting           2.          Remove existing lighting fixture on existing handrail           3.          Remove existing wall mounted light fixture and salvage for reconnection to new   light fixture          4.           Remove branch circuits and all wiring and conduits associated with the Sound   Position on Level 4 (First Balcony Lower Seating)          5.          Furnish and install new seat and step light fixtures          6.          Provide light fixtures recessed in wall          7.  Furnish and install dimming driving and extend to seat light fixtures as indicated  

Warm Regards, Porschia 

Porschia Tolbert, LEED GA | South TX Community & Citizenship Coordinator Turner Construction Company | website

     

     

The New Normal:  8 Ways The Coronavirus Crisis  

Is Changing Construction    

1. Jobsites will be cleaner and safer   

2. Distancing will be the norm, via technology 

3. Projects will take longer 

4. Telework will become more common 

5. Union influence will grow 

6. Demand for project types will change 

7. Supply chains will recalibrate 

8. Modular adoption will increase 

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-vention (CDC) in responding to the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) that is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness worldwide. Flu & COVID-19 With both flu and COVID-19 circulating this season, getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever. Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones on the CDC website: FAQs: Flu and COVID-19 Getting a Flu Vaccine during the COVID-19 Pandemic Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19

Scams and Fraud Alert Criminals are impersonating Texas government agencies to scam people and organizations during the COVID-19 pan-demic. Currently, common scams include unsolicited purchase orders and requests, spoofed emails and phishing at-tempts, and government impersonation phone scams. Visit the Texas Comptroller Fraud Alerts website to know how to spot and report scams.

 

 

Austin Commercial, LP is soliciting City of Austin certified Minority and Women-Owned Businesses for the following project:

Project: Austin FC McKalla Place Improvements

General Contractor: Austin Commercial, LP

Project Description: McKalla Place Improvements con-sists of site utilities and pavement improvements serving the Austin FC Stadium at McKalla Place. The project en-compasses approximately 16,400 square feet.

RFI Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2020– 5:00 pm CST

Proposal Deadline: Friday, October 9, 2020-

2:00 pm CST

Specific Scopes Included in This Solicitation:

Grading and Earthwork SWPPP Landscaping Asphalt Paving Concrete Paving & Misc. Concrete Site Railing Pond Retaining Walls Site Utilities  

Bid documents can be viewed at: https://austin.egnyte.com/fl/f2o7Jb60xa/McKalla_Place_Improvements_Bid_Package_#folder-link/ Below is a list of local Minority Trade Associations for reference: Austin Black Contractors Association (ABCA) –(512) 467-6894 U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association de Austin (512-627-5444) Asian Contractor Association - (512) 926-5400 For general questions, contact:

Joe Thompson | jthompson@Austin-Ind.com │ (512) 306.9880 Tobe Evans | tevans@Austin-Ind.com │ (512) 306.9880. For Scope Specific Questions:

Joe Thompson | jthompson@Austin-Ind.com │ (512) 306.9880 Tobe Evans | tevans@Austin-Ind.com │ (512) 306.9880. Please submit proposals to via email to Joe Thompson and/or Tobe Evans to the respective email address above.

Catellus Commercial Office Building Request for Proposals 

Harvey Cleary Builders, General Contractor for the new Catellus Commer‐cial Office Building, is issuing an updated solicitation for Shell Building Final Clean. Additional bid documents may be found via Dropbox link below.   

Project: Mueller Redevelopment: Catellus Commercial Office Building  

Project Description: The project is a 4‐story build to suit office building for Catellus Commercial Office Building located at 4815 Mueller Blvd in the Mueller Development in Austin, Texas. The project includes the complete construction of the building shell and associated tenant improvements. It also includes a 7‐story precast concrete parking garage. Please note that this building will be LEED Platinum and AEGB 5‐star rating.  

Bid Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2020‐ 2:00 PM CST Bid documents may be obtained from the following website and plan rooms: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9v1hw9ho5ncqa3c/AAAiQwBrOsNqwVH7AWyc4iLaa?dl=0  

Austin Black Contractors Association (ABCA) – (512) 467‐6894 U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association de Austin – (512) 627‐5444 Asian Contractor Association ‐ (512) 926‐5400 Virtual Pre‐Bid: Monday, October 5, 2020‐ 2:00 PM CST When it’s time, join your Webex meeting here 

Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only) +1-415-655-0002,,1463201896## United States Toll

Join by phone +1-415-655-0002 United States Toll Global call-in numbers

Join from a video system or application Dial 1463201896@harveycleary.webex.com You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Meeting number (access code): 146 320 1896

Meeting password: M3PdXgp7UK2

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Join using Microsoft Lync or Microsoft Skype for Business

Dial 1463201896.harveycleary@lync.webex.com All proposals are to be received by Harvey‐Cleary Builders by October 12, 2020‐ 2:00 PM CST. Proposals may be submitted by sealed enve‐lope, fax, or email.  Faxes can be sent attention: Kyle Marrou, Matt Brinkman or, James Harvey at 512‐928‐9331. Emails can be sent to Kyle Marrou at kmar‐rou@harvey‐cleary.com, Matt Brinkman at mbrinkman@harvey‐cleary.com or, James Harvey at jamesh@harvey‐cleary.com

How can I tell the difference  between the flu and COVID‐19?  

 It's  impossible  to  tell  without  a  test.  Influenza  and  COVID‐19  have  such similar symptoms, you may need to get tested to know what's making you miserable.  

Body  aches,  sore  throat,  fever,  cough,  shortness  of  breath,  fatigue  and headaches are symptoms shared by the two.  

One  difference?  People with  the  flu  typically  feel  sickest  during  the  first week of illness.   

With  COVID‐19,  people  may  feel  the  worst  during  the  second  or  third week, and they may be sicker for a longer period.  

Another difference: COVID‐19 is more likely than the flu to cause a loss of taste or  smell. But not everyone experiences  that symptom, so  it's not a reliable way to tell the viruses apart.  

That  leaves  testing,  which  will  become  more  important  as  flu  season ramps up this fall in the Northern Hemisphere.   

Doctors will need to know test results to determine the best treatment.  

It's also possible to be infected with both viruses at the same time, said Dr. Daniel  Solomon,  an  infectious  diseases  expert  at  Brigham  and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.  

Whether you get tested for one or both viruses may depend on how avail‐able tests are and which viruses are circulating where you live, he said.  

"Right  now  we  are  not  seeing  community  transmission  of  influenza,  so widespread testing for the flu is not yet recommended," Solomon said.  

Both the flu and coronavirus spread through droplets from the nose and mouth. Both can spread before people know they are sick.   

The  flu  has  a  shorter  incubation period—meaning  after  infection  it  can take one  to  four days  to  feel  sick—compared  to  the coronavirus, which can take two to 14 days from infection to symptoms.  

On average, COVID‐19 is more contagious than flu. But many people with COVID‐19 don't spread the virus to anyone, while a few people spread it to many  others.  These  "superspreader  events"  are  more  common  with COVID‐19 than flu.  

Preventing the flu starts with an annual flu shot tailored to the strains of the flu virus that are circulating.   

Health officials would  like  to  see  record numbers of people get  flu  shots this year so hospitals aren't overwhelmed with two epidemics at once.  

There's  no  vaccine  yet  for  COVID‐19,  although  several  candidates  are  in the final testing stages.    

             Precautions  against  COVID‐19—masks,  social  distancing,  hand‐washing—also slow the spread of the flu, so health officials hope continued  vigilance  could  lessen  the  severity  of  this  year's  flu season.  

Q&A: Infectious disease specialist discusses why it's more important than ever to get the flu shot

by Lindsay Dowling-Savelle, Dalhousie University While the world awaits the development and approval of a vaccine that will help in the global fight against COVID‐19, medical experts are worried about how the impending flu season could exacerbate already strained health care systems around the world.  Public health officials and medical experts have stressed that it's more important than ever to get a flu shot, which is a vaccine specially de‐signed each year to combat influenza. We asked Dr. Lisa Barrett, assistant profes‐sor in Dalhousie's Faculty of Medicine and infectious disease expert, to explain how the flu shot works and why medical experts are more concerned about the impacts of this year's influenza season than in years past. What exactly are flu vaccines and how do they work? All vaccines are designed to educate your immune system to respond quickly if  it ever runs into an infection and the flu shot is no different. It is a way that we can educate our immune system against the ever‐changing influenza virus from season to season—everybody should get one each season.  The influenza (or flu) vaccine, is an  injection given  in  the arm, and  it  contains various different parts of  the  flu virus depending on which flu shot you get. The take‐home message  is  that every flu  shot  or  vaccine  contains  bits  and  pieces  of  flu  virus  from  various  different strains of virus. Each year, scientists get together and predict what the most fre‐quent  viruses  are  likely  to  be  in  the  upcoming  season.  They  combine  these  to‐gether into one vaccine, and that's how your immune system gets educated for the viruses that are likely to be circulating that season. You get one shot as soon as it comes out  in  the  fall  and  then  you develop  some protection or  immunity—your immune system is getting prepared to fight quickly against the flu virus strains that were in the vaccine.  Why are medical experts stressing that  it  is more  important to get the flu shot this year than in years past? It is always important to get a flu shot. But this year we also have COVID‐19, which is  another  respiratory  virus whose main  target  is  the  lungs.  Influenza  or  the  flu 

virus, also targets  the  lungs and  it  is  likely  that  if you get  the two together, your chances  of  having  permanent  damage  to  your  lungs  or  not  surviving  are  much much  higher.  Therefore,  because  we  have  no  vaccine  for  COVID‐19  and  we  do have one  to protect you  from  influenza,  it's very  important  that people do what they can to keep themselves from getting influenza. Tthere is going to be COVID‐19 around, and you don't want them both. You don't want the double whammy. It will not go well. If there are high  levels of COVID‐19 community spread in communities, what  is the safest way for people to get their flu shot?  It's  important  to  know  that  influenza  and  COVID‐19  spread  in  similar ways,  and therefore there can be community spread of  influenza each year as well. So,  the take home is that every skill we've learned about preventing spread of COVID‐19, is  also  incredibly  useful  for  preventing  the  spread  of  influenza. What  I mean  by that  is,  washing  your  hands,  making  sure  that  you  don't  touch  your  face,  and wearing  a mask when  it  is  not possible  to  keep  social  distance,  are  the  real  key ways that you can prevent COVID‐19 spread and safely go out to get your influenza shot.  Also, if you can have flexibility around when and where you go to get your shot, try to choose a time that is slightly less crowded, not middle of the day, off hours  or  evenings—that's  a  really  great  way  to  help  spread  out  the  number  of people that are at the influenza vaccine station or pharmacy at any point in time. Planning  outings,  socialization,  and  even  medical  care  to  promote  more  social distancing  is a key way we can get better at  learning how to  live with COVID‐19. So,  if  you  have  some  flexibility,  choose  off  times when  there won't  be  as many people and then we can help spread people out over time. What would you tell people who are hesitant to get their flu shot this year?  There are  lots of reasons why people don't want to get a flu shot or feel  it's not really  that useful  for  them  in particular.  I would say  that  there  is pretty close  to zero reasons why one of the flu vaccines approved in Canada and available in Nova Scotia, can't be taken by anyone. And you know what, even if you don't think it's incredibly useful to you, you are helping to protect your community by getting a flu vaccine.  Even  if  you  are  someone who  doesn't  get  too  sick  when  infected with respiratory  viruses  like  flu  or  COVID‐19,  you  may  have  few  symptoms  and  not know you are spreading to others who may not be so healthy. Getting a flu shot reduces the likelihood that you get infected and spread to others. So, a flu shot is an amazing and free way to contribute to your health and your community. Also, it's important to recognize that there are almost no people above the age of six months  in the world who can't safely take one of the flu shots that are avail‐able.  People who  feel  they  get  sick  after  a  flu  shot are  experiencing  an  immune ramp‐up; that's their  immune system responding to the vaccine and getting edu‐cated—it's not that you got the flu. You might not feel super great for a couple of days, but you're not getting the flu from these vaccines. Get the vaccine,  its safe and even if you don't think it's good for you in particular, it's good for your com‐munity (hey, I bet I already said that, but I want to say it again!!).  We are still waiting for the influenza vaccines to be available, and Nova Scotia has bought more than usual this year—that means we shouldn't run out. Some people say, I'm going to leave the shots for the people who really need them and that is actually NOT the way to think. As I said before, people who may not have symptoms and aren't the sickest are also the people who are out and about the most and they transmit to others without knowing it. So, there will be lots of flu vaccine around, don't wait—take the shot!

Ohio bank retail construction manager has advice on making diversity work

The significance of the cultural shift in U.S. race relations and its im-pact on construction isn’t lost on Gloria Samuel. As a Black woman who has made her career in the industry, first as a contractor man-ager and now as a vice president of Cincinnati's Fifth Third Bank su-pervising its retail construction portfolio, she says her own story came with no ready-made script and that she “had to figure it out for her-self.”

Samuel did not attend college on a scholarship, she had a son to support, and she did not actually see construction as a career option. “I just learned that you do it the best way you can [and] put the hard work in and everything else will come thereafter,” she says. “I didn't get any scholarships. I didn't know that those things were out there or that they were an option for me.

Being a single parent, I just assumed that, hey, I don't qualify for a lot of those things." A wrong assumption, Samuel now realizes, remem-bering that then "I didn't know the things that I didn't know. So, I didn't have any guidance really to help me through that process.”

“I just learned that you do it the best way you can [and] put the hard work in and everything else will come thereafter.”

Gloria Samuel, vice president, Fifth Third Bank

Looking back, Samuel says what led her to her current position was improvisation and hard work that paid off. None of that success insu-lated her from shock and concern after George Floyd's killing in Min-neapolis on May 25, and the protests that followed. “I didn't want to be at work [that week], because I was so worried about my two boys—especially one that just graduated college in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic—as well as racial injustice."

She recalls her son's questions: " ‘What does the world look like for me? Do I want to be out there? Do I want to go to corporate settings and deal with, again, the divide that happens for most people in those situations?’ ” Samuel says. Samuel well knows those corporate set-tings, as well as construction projects.

Unlikely Career Path At Fifth Third Bank, one of the Midwest's largest consumer banks with more than 1,150 branches, she oversees development and imple-mentation of retail banking center construction. This includes scope development, risk analysis, sourcing, scheduling, sequencing and assembling appropriate resources to support the company's strategic objectives.

Before joining Fifth Third in 2018, she spent 17 years in different posi-tions at Messer Construction, the largest contractor in a region that comprises both western Ohio and eastern Kentucky, at which her efforts included bringing people of color into the organization.

Construction wasn't exactly Samuel's first career choice as a student at the University of Cincinnati. “About the third year that I was in col-lege, I was almost on my way out the door,” she says. "As much of a commitment that I had made to both myself and my son, it just was really, really difficult. I lived on my own. Obviously, I didn't stay on campus, that wasn't an option. Going into college, I really didn't know what to expect, nor did I know what my career was going to be.”

Samuel said she did not realize while in school that construction would be such a viable career path for her, with little knowledge of the industry or or how construction projects are managed. “I saw it as people who allow us to have the spaces that we use,” she says. “I didn't yet realize that there could be this career that will come out of that.”

Samuel said that learning about the industry and building her place in it was something she largely had to figure out for herself. A turning point came when Samuel became a co-op student at employee-owned Messer, which ranks at No. 76 on the ENR Top 400 Contrac-tors list with nearly $1.2 billion in 2019 revenue and is by far the larger builder in Cincinnati. After joining the company and steadily rising from project manager to executive ranks, then-company Chairman and CEO Pete Strange challenged her to support more diverse talent.

"One of the great lies and excuses of non-performance in diversity [in construction] is this: 'Well, we'd love to have them, but they're just not there,' " says Strange, who now is retired but serves on the board of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. "The stupidest person in

the town where I grew up in Kentucky knew this about fishing: You have to go somewhere where there's fish." Messer needed to make a conceptual leap, says Strange. "This notion of finding the talent that you want instead of waiting for it to come to you, for Messer, came from the fact that when we became employee-owned, we embraced a capacity model instead of a market-driven model," says Strange.

"Traditionally, construction has defined capacity by opportunity. If I can find a job, I'll take the job, and then I'll find the people to build the building." He adds that because when the firm became employee-owned in 1990, "we took on a bunch of debt and a bunch of long-term obligations, we decided that, first, we would find the talent, and then we would find the projects to engage the talent, and that led us to a heightened focus on our talent supply chain."

A New Approach to Recruitment Samuel recognized the leadership at Messer was making an effort to bring in more people of color, particularly Black students. Part of that initiative was to stop fishing for new hires from the same lakes and streams.

Messer committed, at this stage, to helping recruits who couldn't make the commitment to join the firm because of living expenses or other financial concerns. Messer began recruiting at black colleges and universities, with Samuel helping to recruit at Tuskegee Univer-sity.

As Messer’s total of African-American and people of color student recruits increased, she remembers that getting new hires through the door was just the beginning. “How do we help to support those gaps for people, recognizing that their experience is very different from the traditional student?” Samuel wondered.

Financial support was one part of the equation but just a small one compared to the cultural aspects of employing recruits from the com-munity. “Where the divide still exists is that people are comfortable in their own space and it's very uncomfortable to have conversations about areas or things that are different,” she says. Samuel says something as benign as office banter and activities of young people away from work could be a barrier.

Groups in the office might say, ‘Hey, let's go canoeing.’ Well, most of the time, their Black peers may not have ever experienced that," she says. “Figuring out how do you actually do activities that include eve-ryone, it's not intentional, but it's that unconscious bias, it's what peo-ple are familiar with.”

Samuel adds that “there are some people like myself who are willing to say, ‘Oh, I'll step into that space,’ but I'll tell you that sometimes I've said, ‘no, I don't want to do that.’ I feel like I maybe have to explain myself in that scenario where, in reality, I shouldn't have to, because that's just not my experience.”

Better Messaging During protests after Floyd's death, Samuel said she spoke with for-mer students she mentored in the industry about messages they got from company leaders, with communications sometimes vague and not addressing what the young hires were feeling. She followed up with leaders at those firms, explaining the need for better messaging.

Samuel says industry companies as well as those in other busi-ness sectors have to commit to having a conversation about

racial justice.

Samuel says industry firms—as well as those in other business sec-tors—have to commit to having a conversation about racial injustice. What's needed is “a willingness to have the conversation and to hear someone else's point of view,” she says. Her approach to uplifting Black people includes pouring support into Black-owned businesses to allow more wealth to be passed from generation to generation. It also includes providing opportunities to people that "challenge the status quo of the typical selection," she says. A larger focus on men-tal health and social services for the Black community also is vital.

“The core or the root of a lot of things that happen in a negative way for people from my community are related to some sort of mental health issue," Samuel says. "The reason that exists can often be traced to food and shelter insecurity. Our social service organizations can't provide all of that support. In many cases it’s as simple as actu-ally addressing mental health issues and providing that support in lieu of it being a police officer showing up who has no education related to somebody's psychology, per se.”

Since Samuel was a co-op student, one of the most important changes she's seen is the industry's commitment to minority and women-owned businesses. “We definitely should pride ourselves, in the construction industry, on the fact that we do have a focus on our support for MBE and WBE enterprises. It's not just providing that support in a percentage, but being intentional about creating those relationships.”

While at Messer, Samuel worked in its supplier and workforce diver-sity units. While at Messer, the supplier and workforce diversity de-partment was led by Stan Williams. Today, Messer has an Economic Inclusion VP, Sonya Walton, who Samuel remains in contact with.

She says Walton has done an amazing job over the years of growing the company’s supplier diversity efforts. Today, Samuel also works with general contractors to develop support for supplier and workforce diversity at Fifth Third Bank as an owner.

But Samuel stresses that there is much more work to do. "So many young people are interested in the industry but still don’t understand the opportunities available to them," she says. Source:

Get City - MBE/WBE/DBE Certified! Race Rises as a Top Construction Industry Issue After Protests

A lawsuit filed June 2 by the U.S. Equal Employ-

ment Opportunity Commission against San

Antonio, Texas-based general contractor CCC

Group claiming white supervisors and co-workers

bullied and threatened Black workers and used

racial slurs at a jobsite in Albany County, N.Y.,

underlined a hard truth: Racism still occurs in

construction and related fields.

Black leaders in the industry told ENR that the

death of George Floyd on May 25 at the hands of

police and subsequent protests appear to have

opened the door to more frank discussions, not

just about generic diversity and inclusion in the

construction workforce, but about meaningful op-

portunities for change for Black employees and

entrepreneurs.

Organizations • Prime Contractors • Trade Associations • Agencies • Business

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