Federal Construction Work Opportunity

To: HBA Members

As you may remember, the contractor (Hensel Phelps Construction) for the Shaw/Charleston Air Force Base housing projects promised to hold several industry forums in our state to solicit subcontractors for the AFB housing project in SC. The goal of the meeting was to try to meet the Air Forces stated goal of hiring 70% local subcontractors.

On Tuesday Hensel Phelps held two meeting in Charleston and Columbia, and added a third meeting in Sumter at the request of the Mayor in Sumter. To put it mildly the meetings were a huge success! In both the Charleston and Columbia meetings, it was standing room only, and we estimate that roughly 350 contractors attended the forums.

The Henzel Phelps staff made it crystal clear that they wanted and needed local subcontractors. They also indicated their flexibility with small contractors. This was much appreciated by the audience. Our members were pleased with the forum and encouraged that they might get a contract from Hensel Phelps. However, it is clear that subcontractors will have to be professional and meet their deadlines on the project.

The housing projects at Sumter/Charleston AFB are expected to begin May-June 2011. Hensel Phelps is still in the process of soliciting subcontractors. HBA members still have time to participate in the project, however time is running out. Hensel Phelps is planning to close the bid process in January 2011.

To participate in the bidding process it is absolutely essential that builders register with Hensel Phelps ASAP as a subcontractor! All communication on bid information will be generated by Hensel Phelps only to the registered subcontractors. Their plan is to have the letter of intent to contact with subcontractors done in late spring and be ready to begin construction in May-June time period. There will be three bid packages available on this project: construction, demolition, and civil engineering (roads, sidewalks, etc.). Most builders would be primarily interested in the construction package. The details of the packages will be sent by e-mail to registered subcontractors in mid-December 2010.

Please encourage any HBA member that is interested in participating in the AFB Housing project to register with Hensel Phelps Construction today. They will need your contact info – phone, address, e-mail, fax – and what specialty contracts (framing, plumbing, etc) your company is interested in participating in. The Hensel Phelps contact is:

Jordan Kragor, Chief Engineer, Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
970-346-7292 (O)/ 970-346-7236 (F)
JKragor@HenselPhelps.com

Julian Barton, CAE, Director of Government Affairs
Home Builders Association of SC