Fort Bend ISD has seen a steady increase in the number of businesses wanting to partner with FBISD. That’s why more than 100 small business, contractors and sub-contractors attended a workshop on Wednesday, September 28, 2016.
The monthly meeting is part of the Small Business Enterprise Program, which was adopted by the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees following voter approval of the $484 million bond program. The program, which is for construction projects that are $50,000 or greater, requires prime contractors to use “Good Faith Efforts” to hire certified small businesses as subcontractors.
Participants at the workshop learned more about the projects included in Phase II of the FBISD’s 2014 Bond Program, which will go out for bid during October and November. Phase II consists of eight bid packages. Three are near design completion and five are in the procurement process. The packages include a variety of work to numerous FBISD campuses and buildings, including electrical work, interior and exterior upgrades and renovations, security upgrades, landscaping, hardscaping and much more. Construction is scheduled from 2016 through fall 2017. Small business and subcontractors are encouraged to get their bids to the general contractors as soon as possible.
Kryshon Bratton works for Piper Whitney Construction, a company that offers permeable paving and green hardscape. She lives in the District and attended Wednesday’s meeting to learn more about the possibility of partnering with FBISD.
“This is my first time at this event, but it’s a great way to hopefully partner up with a general contractor,” Bratton said.
Racquel Davis with 3icontracting is a general contractor that is bidding on projects from Phase II of the Bond Program. It was her first time to attend the workshop, but she found this networking opportunity to be very resourceful.
“I like this event because it’s a good spot to have a lot of resources and people in,” Davis said.
Certifying agencies and financial institutions are also at each workshop to assist small business representatives with their certification process and more.
If you’re interested in attending the next workshop, it will be held October 26, 2016 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 550 Julie Rivers Drive, Sugar Land 77478 in room 111.
For more information about the Small Business Enterprise Program, call (281) 634-1841 or (281) 327-7697.