Strong Subcontractor Base Key to Design-Build Success

Whether a construction company is expanding into a new geographical territory or a new market, the key to success is establishing a strong, reliable subcontractor base. Attendees at the Design-Build Institute of America’s (DBIA) 2010 Conference next month will learn how to build this critical base thanks to Centennial’s Gary Sylvester and Scott McGrew.   

Overseeing Centennial's Design-Build department, Gary, design build manager and Scott, senior project general manager, both have a great deal of experience with this construction delivery method.

Gary and Scott will identify helpful tools to find qualified subcontractors, discuss meeting minority requirements and describe how to build lasting long term relationships with reliable subcontractors. They'll also cover introducing a new subcontractor to Design-Build processes and procedures as well as the terms and conditions of the Design-Build contract as they impact the subcontract. Gary and Scott will include discussions regarding subcontractor budget pricing, final fixed pricing and early teaming as well as the impact of LEED Certification as it relates to the subcontractor’s requirements.

Centennial is also excited to be an exhibitor and the Diamond Sponsor of the DBIA Conference in Las Vegas. In addition to our company booth, we're hosting a special booth where attendees can “Relax Their Backlog” with professional neck massages, so stop by and say hi!

2010 Maryland Minority Contractors Association Diversity Solutions Award

Last Friday, July 16th, Centennial received the 2010 Diversity Solutions Award from Maryland Minority Contractors Association (MMCA), along with letters of recognition/commendation from both Maryland Senators Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski at MMCA’s 2010 Awards Banquet and Summer Soiree. Terry Dubbs, regional operations manager, accepted the award on Centennial's behalf.

Centennial was honored with several others, including Governor Martin O’Malley, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Senator Joan Carter Conway and Gilbane.

According to the MMCA, the Diversity Solutions Award is given to the organization that historically provides exceptional outreach to the minority contracting community; exhibits consistent inclusion of minority subcontractors that far exceeds goals set by the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland; empowers minority contractors by supplying strong contacts within the Baltimore business community; helps minority contractors build a stable reputation by providing access to a wider variety of construction projects; provides mentoring and training to assist minority subcontractors in their professional growth; helps minority contractors untangle the often convoluted web of regulations involved when dealing with City and State licensing governments; and bridges the gap between minority contractors and governmental institutions in order to better coordinate projects that directly benefit the Baltimore City community.

Centennial is honored to receive the Diversity Solutions Award from the Maryland Minority Contractors Association. The collaborative partnership we've established with the MMCA and its members ensures that both sides achieve a potential for growth that neither could have realized individually. We are proud of the many successful relationships that have been forged between Centennial and minority contracting organizations – both large and small – over many years in Baltimore.

Here is the letter and commendation:

Virginia Business Interviews Centennial About ARRA

Robert Burke from Virginia Business magazine recently analyzed stimulus funds in Virginia to see where the money went and what it was used for. He interviewed Centennial and one of its subcontractors, Pool’s Window and Doors Service, about work performed in Virginia through stimulus funds. In “The Big Fix” Centennial described how its use of IDIQ (indefinite quantity/indefinite delivery) contracts is quicker than your average delivery method at getting projects started and relies on hundreds of local subcontractors.

What has been missing in the ARRA funds is the contracting methods allowing the dollars to get to the local, small businesses. This is a challenge for local communities and could be why it is hard to see the funds actually showing up in the local markets across the US. That is why Job Order Contracting (JOC) is a great fit with the ARRA funding. It allows for open, best value, competitive bidding on an umbrella program and from that point out the funds can be driven to the local communities and mainly to the local subcontracting base.