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December 2021 | Advertising for Certified Women, Veteran & Minority-Owned Subcontractors | 69th Edition
Prime Contractors, Subcontractors & Agencies BUILDING A STRONGER TEXAS 16-17
INSIDE
07
Bexar County Business Conference 2021
10
CPS Energy Board Appoints Rudy D. Garza as Interim President & CEO of CPS Energy
25
Meet The Buyers Annual Procurement Event
2 | December 2021
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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
Keith "MR. D-MARS" Davis, Sr. CERTIFIED:
HMSDC
Subcontractors USA highlights opportunities and news relevant to the construction, energy, architecture, manufacturing, education, engineering, oil and gas, transportation, and IT industries we serve. We hope you find this issue not only informative, but inspiring and educational as well. This month's issue of Subcontractors USA is a little reminder on how to strengthen your business as a contractor and subcontractor. As the State of Texas boasts some of the largest construction firms in the U.S. and with the bidding process already competitive, combined with the reported turnaround, are you as a contractor or subcontractor prepared for success in 2022?
Port of Houston
Metro
BEHIND THE JOURNAL PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. CHIEF OF STAFF & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla ASSISTANT SALES REPRESENTATIVE Tiffany Brown OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Bria Casteel ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Erick Fontejon PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter L.C. Poullard DISTRIBUTION Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Stephen Schad Bethany Lundell Garver Destiny Vaquera Dana C. Sotoodeh Helen Callier Subcontractors USA News Provider
"The spirit of Texas - hard work and perseverance shines through our small businesses, and their success is crucial to Texas' strong economic resurgence." — Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott
City of Houston
Now is the time for business people, whether you are a contractor or subcontractor, to start taking action to build your business. Building better relationships and obtaining more education are just some of the things you can do to strengthen your business. When our contractors and subcontractors are solid, that makes for a stronger Texas. As always, thank you for your continued support of Subcontractors USA. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.
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06 CONSTRUCTION 06 Construction Industry Challenges OSHA’s New COVID-19 accination Mandate, Noting That Measure Exceeds Agency’s Authority 08 Most Contractors Report Significant Flaws With the Nation’s 811 Utility Location System, Citing Inaccurate Locates and Slow Response Times 07, 25 IN THE SUBCONTRACTORS USA COMMUNITY... 07 Bexar County Business Conference 2021 25 Meet The Buyers Annual Procurement Event. 10 ENERGY 10 CPS Energy Board Appoints Rudy D. Garza as Interim President & CEO of CPS Energy 12 City of San Antonio Announces New Utility Assistance Program 12 NRG Energy Joins the EV100 Initiative 13 NRG Energy Recognizes Business Customers During Annual Excellence in Energy Awards 14 IT & TECHNOLOGY 14 Tips for Small Businesses Inspired by 2022 Tech Trends 15 How One Company Levels the Playing Field for New Career
18 PERMITS 20 Two Critical Building Permitting Trends for Contractors To Consider in 2022 20 OIL AND GAS 20 API Statement on Passage of House Reconciliation Bill 20 API Statement on FTC Investigation 22 U.S. Department of Labor Orders Houston Crane Company To Pay Nearly $24k to Worker Who Refused To Violate Federal Law 20 SAFETY 20 U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers To Avoid Compliance Issues 22 New Online Portal Simplifies Application Process for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs 22 U.S. Department of Labor Alleges Global Truck Manufacturer Fired Worker Concerned About Coronavirus Safety at Texas Facility 26 TRANSPORTATION 26 METRO's COVID-19 Safety Strategies Receive Industry Recognition 26 Guest Services: Houston Airports Unveils Customer Experience Brand Promise
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Seekers 16-17 COVER STORY 16-17 Building BetterRelationships. Obtaining More Education. Building Your Business.
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CONTENTS 04 ARCHITECTURE 04 Hines College Project Selected for Green New Deal Superstudio 06 Habitat Project Receives Texas APA Resilience Gold Award
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ARCHITECTURE
Hines College Project Selected for Green New Deal Superstudio By Destiny Vaquera Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture & Design Contributing Writer
T
he Green New Deal Superstudio recently selected Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design alumni Edwin Barajas, Mariana Galvan, and Ferdous Kabir’s student project Human/Non-Human Collaboration Labs (H.N.H.C.L) under its Remediate section as part of its curated showcase. The Green New Deal Superstudio is a concerted effort giving form to policy ideas by translating the core goals of decarbonization, justice, and jobs into place-specific design and projects. Human/Non-Human Collaboration Labs was one of 55 selected from 670 project submissions catalyzing the conversation on a wide variety of issues. The project originated during professor Daniel Jacobs’ spring 2021 ARCH 5500 Wild Life studio. Human/Non-Human Collaboration Labs is a participatory research institute with the intent of developing new methodologies for remediating land through the experimentation of phytoremediation and similar ecological methods. The institute aims to form new relationships with the land, native species, and humans by experimenting with different ownership structures, introducing open-source practices, and including architectures changing with the needs of the site and serving as precedent for other sites as well.
“I think the great innovation of these students’ project was not only the looseness of their structures, but the method of their distribution and articulation”, said Daniel Jacobs. “Their project had a complex interchange between the structures, land, spatial remediation, and the model of ownership.” Human/Non-Human Collaboration Labs is located in the northwest side of Houston’s Fifth Ward and is characterized by its industrial use and its adjacency to a railroad line and residences. The site serves as a meeting ground for ‘Eco Art’ and a medium for eco artists and scientists to continue their research, showcase their work, and engage with the public. “The group consistently challenged themselves on the brief throughout the term. I think one of the most amazing parts of the project was the images they produced,” shared Jacobs. “One of the most important things in architecture is that we are not individual producers of architectural beauty. We are complex systems of co-production. It was really exciting to see the students work together so well as a group to produce a high-level project challenging me to think in new ways, as well.” Learn more about the project at www.gndsuperstudio.com.
Introducing: Opportunity Business Equity at Port Houston Our NEW Business Equity Division provides resources to small, minority- and woman-owned businesses seeking to participate in Port Houston procurements.
Source: Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture & Design
Learn more about how we can help support your business at: www.porthouston.com/businessequity Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
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ARCHITECTURE
Habitat Project Receives Texas APA Resilience Gold Award By Destiny Vaquera
Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture & Design Contributing Writer
G
erald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design Professor Bruce Race's habitat project, Robins Landing Town Center: Strategies and Guidance for Resilience, was recently awarded the Texas American Planning Association (APA) Resilience Gold Award. This award recognizes a strategy increasing the ability of a community to recover from and adapt to shocks and stresses of natural disasters, human-caused disasters, climate change, and other disasters. The result is the community becomes much stronger and better prepared than ever before. The idea was born from Race's ARCH 5500 design studio five years ago. Students prepared net-zero concepts for the site and continued to work with Habitat for Humanity and community partners to identify needed services and the kind of 'central place' that draws neighbors together. Robins Landing Town Center was planned as a low impact development (LID), energypositive, transit-oriented, mixed-use project. "This is a project that is having real, positive impacts," said Bruce Race, Ph.D., FAIA, FAICP. "Houston Habitat for Humanity has provided single homes for over 1,000 families. The Robins Landing Town Center will be Houston Habitat's first effort to work with partners to develop a town center providing a social and economic focus." Located in East Houston, the Robins Landing Town Center project is based on a process organized for collective community action. It has been a catalyst for public, private, nonprofit, and community partnerships meeting pressing community needs, such as healthcare, nutrition, and
childcare, that can improve the quality of life for Robins Landing's residents and their East Houston neighbors. "The project is planned to demonstrate how infill development can contribute to the creation of energy and detention-positive communities," shared Race. "We are working on making the Town Center an official Houston Resilience Hub that can sustain services during and after weather events. Robins Landing Town Center demonstrates the power of design thinking and, when
given the opportunity, how students can influence the future of Houston." Bruce Race presented at the APA regional conference, Climate and Energy Positive Infill Development in Fort Worth on November 2nd. Source: Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture & Design
CONSTRUCTION
Construction Industry Challenges OSHA’s New COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate, Noting That Measure Exceeds Agency’s Authority By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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ecently, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the Signatory Wall & Ceiling Contractors Alliance (SWACCA) filed a petition for review of OSHA’s new COVID-19 vaccination mandate. The groups explain that the new rule will put many construction companies at grave risk of losing a substantial number of their workers to smaller companies, instead of leading to more people getting vaccinated in the sector. “We all want to see more construction workers vaccinated and we are all doing our part to make that happen,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the AGC’s chief executive officer. “Encouraging vaccine-hesitant workers to shift to smaller employers won’t improve health and safety. It will just put
firms that employ 100 or more workers at grave risk of losing the workers they need to complete projects.” The associations filed their petition recently in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The petition notes that OSHA exceeded its statutory authority to promulgate an Emergency Temporary Standard, and otherwise failed to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. “The Biden Administration and Congress are in the process of launching a historic federal infrastructure investment initiative,” ARTBA President Dave Bauer said. “Unfortunately, OSHA’s proposal would disproportionately impact the same transportation construction industry employers and workers who proved they could safely deliver essential mobility improvements during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The new standard applies to all companies with 100 or more employees, but the construction groups noted that roughly 64 percent of all jobs in the construction
“But crafting an unworkable rule that will do little to get construction workers vaccinated is an approach that is not only wrong, but likely counterproductive.” industry are with smaller companies. With nearly 90 percent of construction firms reporting they are having a hard time filling positions, and many other sectors eager for workers, many vaccine-hesitant workers will have little difficulty finding career opportunities at the smaller firms that are not covered by the OSHA mandate. “This industry supports the coronavirus vaccine and is working to get as many workers vaccinated as possible,” said Scott Casabona, the president of SWACCA.
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As the petition notes, the construction groups have been actively promoting vaccinations, “funding and sponsoring public service announcements and other positive and proactive measures intended to encourage employees to protect themselves against this pandemic.” For more information, please visit agc.org. Source: The Associated General Contractors of America
December 2021 | 7
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In the Subcontractors USA Community... To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.subcusa.com and Click on ‘Photo Gallery.’
Bexar County Business
CONFERENCE 2021
Recently, Bexar County Business Conference 2021 linked small, minority, women and veteran Business Owners with opportunities to meet federal, state and local agencies plus private companies who want to do business.
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CONSTRUCTION
Most Contractors Report Significant Flaws With the Nation’s 811 Utility Location System, Citing Inaccurate Locates and Slow Response Times By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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here are significant flaws with the current 811 utility location system according to a new survey of construction firms that perform any kind of underground excavation released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Most contractors say that calling 811 often leads to inaccurate line marking and that utility firms are often very slow in coming out to even locate and mark their underground lines. “Construction firms are doing their part to avoid hitting utility lines, but the current 811 system appears to be badly flawed,” said Stephen E. S a n d h e r r, the association’s chief executive officer. “Fixing the 811 system will go a long way in protecting the safety of construction crews and the communities near these utility lines.” Ninet ynine percent of contractors are familiar with their local 811 systems and the requirements for when and how to use those systems before excavating, the survey found. But 73 percent of respondents reported weaknesses in the 811 process. Seventy-eight percent of firms who found weaknesses said the biggest problem is the lack of accurate utility locating by utility owners and operators. And 56 percent of firms with concerns about the 811 system identified slow utility owner and operator response times as a significant weakness. The flaws in the 811 system are having a significant impact on construction operations as well as the safety of workers and nearby communities. According to the survey respondents, the two largest causes of utility line strikes and near misses are unmarked or mis-marked utility lines (53 per-
cent) and the failure of utility firms to properly mark their lines within the required amount of time after 811 has been contacted (25 percent). The association conducted the survey to better understand the cause and responsibility of utility strikes. Many firms reported being unfairly blamed for damages even after contacting 811. Indeed, the survey found that nearly two-thirds of contractors report receiving a claim from a utility owner and operator for damage to a line the construction firm was not responsible for damaging. “We need to fix the 811 system to make sure utility firms are doing their part to accurately mark their lines,” Sandherr said. “Too few utility firms are being held accountable for doing their part when it comes to helping contractors avoid hitting underground lines.” A n o v e rwhelming majority of survey r e s p o n d e nt s (98 percent) said one of the best ways to fix the 811 system is to have more contractor representation on local 811 center boards of directors. Many firms also urged all utility firms to be required to participate in the 811 process. Ninety-one percent of firms added they already conduct training with their employees on how to use, and comply with, local 811 requirements. The 811 survey was conducted in late August and September. Five hundred twenty construction firms responded to the survey, representing virtually every type of excavation activity in the industry. View the complete survey results at https://www.agc.org/agcamerica%E2%80%99s-811-surveyresults. For more information, please visit agc.org. Source: The Associated General Contractors of America
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The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program at the University of Houston (UH) is committed to promoting the inclusion of HUB vendors in university procurements. The HUB Program ensures compliance with state HUB laws, assists UH departments in locating HUB vendors; as well as offering HUBs assistance to facilitate access and contracting opportunities.
For more information about how to do business with the University of Houston, bid opportunities, or to learn about events, workshops and seminars, visit: www.uh.edu/hub
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10 | December 2021
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ENERGY
CPS Energy Board Appoints
Rudy D. Garza
as Interim President & CEO of CPS Energy Ron Nirenberg. “This transition gives the organization the opportunity to prepare for coping with the evolving energy environment that it will face in the future.”
By Dana C. Sotoodeh CPS Energy Contributing Writer
T
he CPS Energy Board of Trustees voted recently to appoint Rudy D. Garza as Interim President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective November 8, 2021. Garza will serve in this role while the search for the permanent President & CEO takes place. The Board of Trustees announced at the October 25, 2021 Board Meeting that Chair Dr. Willis Mackey and Vice Chair Janie Gonzalez will lead the CEO Search Committee for the new President & CEO. All Board Members will be involved in the process. To help with the national search, the Board will retain an external firm, which has not been selected yet. Gold-Williams will remain with the Company in a helpful capacity through her formal planned departure in January 2022. “We want to thank Ms. Gold-Williams for remaining with us and sharing her knowledge base through this transitional period,” said CPS Energy Board Chair Dr. Willis Mackey. “The Board is confident that Mr. Garza will serve in this role with enthusiasm and a focus on restoring the trust of our customers.” “Rudy Garza has the experience and ability needed to keep CPS Energy operating efficiently during the national search for a permanent CEO,” said Mayor
“I know Rudy will lead CPS Energy’s dedicated team members successfully and I am committed to supporting him through my planned departure in early 2022. It has been my honor serving the citizens of San Antonio, the community from which I was born and raised,” said Paula Gold-Williams, outgoing President & CEO of CPS Energy. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve this organization and our community. I want to thank the Board for entrusting me in this role and I want to thank Paula for her personal mentorship of me through my career here at CPS Energy,” said Rudy D. Garza, Interim President & CEO of CPS Energy. “My focus will be to ensure our employees and systems are prepared for the winter months and to rebuild the trust of our community. The CPS Energy team remains committed to working every day to provide our community
with the service they expect.” Garza has more than 25 years as a leader in the electric and natural gas utility industry and has served in both the public and private sectors over the course of his career. Garza has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Texas. Garza previously served as Chief Customer & Stakeholder Engagement Officer for the company and he will become the first Hispanic leader to hold this leadership position. Garza joined CPS Energy in 2012 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Distribution Service & Operations where he oversaw the maintenance and construction activity of the electric distribution system and has also served the company in the role of Vice President of External Relations. Garza and his leadership team will be evaluating the realignment of work and will provide updates on any organizational changes in the coming weeks. For more information, please visit cpsenergy.com.
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Source: CPS Energy
December 2021 | 11
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ENERGY
City of San Antonio
ENERGY
NRG Energy Joins
Announces New Utility Assistance Program the EV100 Initiative By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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How How to to apply apply for for CPS CPS Energy Energy Utility Utility Assistance:
By Dana C Sotoodeh CPS Energy Contributor
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ecently, the San Antonio City Council approved a new $30 million utility assistance program, funded using the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The program will assist low-income residents financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis with utility payments. The new program will allocate $20 million to assist CPS Energy customers and $10 million to assist SAWS customers. “The American Rescue Plan Act funds provide the City with the opportunity to address immediate community needs like utility assistance. This much-needed program will help residents in San Antonio recover at a faster pace from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “To ensure that eligible residents receive funds for assistance with their utility bills, they should register now for affordability and payment programs at SAWS and CPS Energy.” Each utility will administer the funds to eligible customers. The program will assist with past due bills incurred from March 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. “SAWS has been at the forefront in assisting customers through the pandemic,” said Robert R. Puente, President/ CEO of San Antonio Water System. “These ARPA funds will further extend financial assistance to our customers trying to catch up on bills. We appreciate the city setting aside these funds to help our customers with the greatest financial need.”
“CPS Energy thanks the San Antonio City Council on their approval of ARPA funds to help our customers most in need,” said Rudy D. Garza, Interim President & CEO of CPS Energy. “We encourage customers to call (210) 353-6110 for more information about how they can get connected to these ARPA funds that have been allocated to assist with their utility bills. We’re committed to helping all of our customers with payment plans and access to this additional assistance.”
• In person at any walk-in center or community event, • Online application • English: www.cpsenergy.com/arpa • Spanish: www.cpsenergy.com/arpa-sp • By phone, 210-353-6110.
How to apply for SAWS Utility Assistance: • Visit www.saws.org/uplift • By phone, 210-704-SAWS
Eligibility requirements:
1. Individuals must show proof of hardship due to COVID-19 within the timeframe of March 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021 as well as documentation of household income. 2. Eligible residents must be enrolled in CPS and/ or SAWS affordability or payment plan programs. CPS and SAWS will screen for eligibility and process applications. For more information on how to enroll, visit: cpsenergy.com/assistance and/or https://uplift. saws.org/
The funds will cover past due bills incurred from March 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. The average customer could receive up to $1,000 for a CPS bill & up to $700 for a SAWS bill. Funds will be disbursed to residents starting before the end of this year. In the meantime, residents should contact CPS Energy and SAWS to enroll in affordability and/or payment plans to become eligible for these funds. For more information, please visit cpsenergy.com. Source: CPS Energy
RG Energy, Inc. (NRG) announced its participation in the Climate Group's EV100 initiative, committing to electrify 100 percent of its light-duty fleet by 2030. This commitment expands the number of vehicles to be electrified beyond the goal first announced in June in the company’s 11th annual Sustainability Report1. NRG estimates that annual greenhouse gas emissions from the use of its light-duty vehicles are approximately 25,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. NRG views vehicle electrification as one of the key trends informing its retail-focused strategy. As the company develops and implements its own vehicle electrification roadmap, it will apply lessons learned to its customer-facing offerings to support customers' transition from fossil fuelpowered transport to electric vehicles. "The transportation sector is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.2, and as such, the electrification of transportation is absolutely essential to decarbonizing the entire economy," said Jeanne-Mey Sun, NRG VP of Sustainability. "We are proud to electrify our fleet and join EV100’s notable network of companies who are committed to making an impact on climate change."
"We are thrilled to welcome NRG Energy, Inc. into our EV100 initiative during such a momentous moment. NRG joins six other companies announcing their EV100 membership during COP26 and committing to making electric transport the new normal by 2030. We applaud such leadership! By joining the EV100 initiative, NRG has committed to electrifying over 1,100 vehicles by 2030, representing a sizable commitment to making EVs more accessible. It's especially timely that NRG is joining today on COP26 Transport Day. As we move further along into this Climate Dec ge and delivering cleaner air," said Sandra Roling, Climate Group Head of Transport. EV100 focuses on catalyzing the shift to electric road transport as a crucial building block within a broader 21st-century, low-carbon transport system. While the initiative is primarily framed around electro mobility, the group encourages companies to consider integrated mobility solutions with other low-carbon transport modes such as walking, cycling, and public transport. NRG will report progress on its fleet electrification commitment to EV100 on an annual basis. For more information, please visit nrg.com. Source: NRG Energy, Inc. 1 Baseline year is 2020. In 2021, as a result of the Direct Energy acquisition NRG’s fleet electrification goal was expanded from 346 to a total of 1,181 vehicles. The goal aims to convert 100% of light-duty cars, SUVs, vans, and light-duty trucks to all-electric (preferred) or plug-in hybrid vehicles such that typical vehicle miles traveled can largely be accomplished in electric mode. Plant equipment, medium, and heavy-duty trucks are excluded. 2 https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
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December 2021 | 13
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ENERGY
NRG Energy Recognizes Business Customers During Annual Excellence in Energy Awards Energy EnergyEfficiency Efficiency
By Subcontractors USA
Organizations were recognized for achieving success with new technologies, solutions, and upgrades resulting in energy reduction or savings.
News Provider
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RG Energy, Inc. (NRG) honored its top energy customers for their leadership in energy efficiency, sustainability, and community support during the second annual Excellence in Energy Awards on November 17, 2021. The Excellence in Energy Awards recognizes NRG customers who demonstrate a strong commitment to the planning and achievement of their environmental and community goals. Through the annual celebration of these awards, NRG is shining a spotlight on successes and milestones that are shaping a better future through energy.
“Our customers motivate us every day at NRG,” said Robert Gaudette, Senior Vice President of NRG Energy, Inc. “We want to honor them for their passion to drive positive change by optimizing their energy solutions and giving back to the community. These awards are about celebrating how organizations
• Dallas Independent School District • Monmouth Regional High School • Wavecrest Management Team • University of Findlay
Community Community
can lead the way by taking responsibility for their energy future to benefit their operations and their communities.” NRG is honored to announce its 2021 Excellence in Energy Award winners.
Sustainability Sustainability Each organization demonstrated a significant impact by going above and beyond standard sustainability practices to achieve notable environmental and social benefits. • a private research university in Washington D.C. • Oberlin College • Western Pennsylvania Energy Consortium
Organizations were recognized for their philanthropic achievements and leadership in their local communities. • Mount Washington Tavern • Copperas Cove Church of Christ
Award submissions were provided by business customers, brokers, and account managers. Eligible candidates needed to be a mid-market or large business customer with an active electricity or natural gas supply contract with Reliant, NRG Business, or Direct Energy Business. NRG Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, and Demand Response customers were also eligible for consideration. Congratulations to all of the organizations making significant strides on their energy journeys. NRG continues the tradition of recognizing excellence in November 2022 for the next “Excellence in Energy” celebration. For more information, please visit nrg.com.
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Source: NRG Energy, Inc.
14 | December 2021
SUBCONTRACTORS USA
IT & TECHNOLOGY
Tips for Small Businesses Inspired by 2022 Tech Trends By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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mall businesses are important parts of communities and a key driving factor of the current economic recovery. Modern technology and workplace trends are transforming how these organizations are run, not only to increase productivity, but expand the possibilities of the future. New research found that the United States is home to 32.5 million small businesses employing 46.8% of the private workforce, according to the 2021 Small Business Profiles from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Combine small and medium-sized businesses, and you cover the vast majority of companies in the country - a powerful economic force. "We see a bright future ahead for businesses in 2022," said Eric Yu, Lenovo senior vice president, small and medium business segment. "Small to mediumsized businesses can utilize the best in technology to help overcome the challenges today and drive growth, engage employees and boost profits." Yu and the experts at Lenovo offer tips for SMBs based on their top technology predictions for 2022. Learn more at Lenovo.com.
1.1.Add Addhybrid hybridworkforce workforce technology technology Workplace culture continues to evolve with hybrid workforces here to stay. Technology is driving this momentum forward, enabling businesses of all sizes to remain agile and adaptable. SMBs should seek purpose-built technology solutions that bring equity, parity, presence and inclusion to hybrid work. Emerging technology will also advance SMB growth, with augmented and virtual reality creating custom workplaces for employees, immersive training, efficient data analysis and enhanced productivity. Just imagine the possibilities of training employees virtually, tapping resources beyond what's available locally and removing the need to travel. Technology makes this a reality.
2.2.Enhance Enhancedigital digitalsecurity security Digital threats are as much a concern for SMBs as they are for large companies. Whether it's private client data, proprietary company information or financial accounts, security must remain top of mind in 2022 as cybercriminals become savvier every day. Prioritizing security with seamless authentication driven by artificial intelligence and biometric technology (such as fingerprint scans) will be key for SMBs as they further transition to public key infrastructure (PKI)-based device security, like those used today to access mobile banking applications, and multifactor authentication, for application and device access.
Investininmodern modernmonitors monitors 3.3.Invest The desktop monitors SMB employees use can transform their work experience for increased comfort and capabilities. Investing in modern monitors makes sense, especially for remote employees and those in technology roles. For example, SMB employees can seamlessly multitask through modern desktop monitors that offer larger screen real estate and single cable management for easy connections. What makes these monitors different? Next-generation monitors feature higher resolution, new aspect ratios such as ultra-wide and low blue light tech to reduce eye strain. Monitors will extend functionality for SMB employees as they can provide a docking hub for connection of other devices such as smartphones, speakers, headphones and tablets.
4.4.Upgrade Upgradeyour youraccessory accessory ecosystem ecosystem Beyond modern monitors, other aspects of home office technology are transforming, too. Creating an up-to-date and efficient workspace at home is important for productivity but also for personal well-being. Providing employees with complementary tools that bridge the gap between home and office will elevate the experience and empower hybrid working trends. When researching new accessories for SMB employees, consider the most common pain points of power anxiety, poor audio quality and physical stresses of inappropriate input devices resulting from longer working hours. Power banks, noise-canceling headphones certified for unified communications platforms and ergonomic mice and keyboards will become more mainstream in 2022, allowing teams at SMBs to improve their work-fromanywhere capabilities and productivity.
Supportagility agility and and flexibility flexibility 5.5.Support The growth of hybrid and remote workplaces has elevated the need for work tools that allow employees to work when and where they want. Evolving form factors and better connectivity will become more ubiquitous, allowing SMB employees to set up shop almost anywhere. This flexibility can add strain to IT resources, and impact business capital expense. SMBs need to consider as-a-service subscription-based models, not just for hardware but to support their solution lifecycle. Successful businesses will embrace this trend and seek vendors with end-to-end capabilities to securely deploy to remote users, offer hardware and software managed services and provide end-user tech support. As-a-service solutions reduce pressure on capital, allowing SMBs to redirect investment into new growth opportunities. Source: BPT
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December 2021 | 15
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IT & TECHNOLOGY
How One Company Levels the Playing Field for New Career Seekers By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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ver half of Americans (55%) now in the workforce will be looking for a new position over the next year, according to a survey from Bankrate.com. For the many Americans seeking new employment, whether recent grads, anyone just out of the military or leaving an unstable or low-paying job - the hardest part can be finding opportunities to learn a new trade without going into debt. Environmental services company Republic Services is putting students' needs first - reinventing how they address that challenge to grow their talent pipeline. Their industry-first Republic Services Technical Institute in Dallas offers tuition-free education to students who qualify as they complete 12 weeks of training, followed by 21 months of on-the-job training at one of their 180 business units nationwide.
educate the whole student, providing life skills education including financial management, emotional intelligence and mental wellness.
"This isand an inclusion investment in Diversity people, further demonstrating our commitment to being the place where the best people come to work," said Jon Vander Ark, president and CEO of Republic Services. "We look forward to welcoming new graduates as they contribute to our highly trained workforce, increasing the reliability and consistency of our customer experience." Diversity and and Diversity inclusion
Studentswill willreceive: receive: Students * Full-time, paid, in-shop training throughout the program * Company-provided relocation, housing and travel expenses * A toolbox stocked with tools
Students will commit to work for the company for two years after the training and apprenticeship are completed. And the best part? Anyone can apply for the two-year program, without any prior knowledge or experience as a mechanic or technician. The company partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor and Lincoln Tech to create the cutting-edge curriculum, in a brand-new building with two labs and high-tech classrooms. The Institute goes beyond technical training to Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
The company is also looking to train and hire a more diverse and inclusive workforce both for their technician and driver positions. For example, while women currently make up only a small percentage of the waste and recycling workforce, Republic is working to change that through its She Drives initiative, which seeks to broaden the driver candidate pool and increase the number of women hired for driver positions. Just one year into the initiative, the hiring rate of women drivers increased by onethird, placing Republic Services above the national average. "I'm proud to say that I've been in the vocational educational industry for more than two decades and I've never seen this level of commitment to bringing on new talent by leadership," said Misty Ross, director of the Republic Services Technical Institute and a U.S. Air Force veteran. "The financial commitment of $35,000 per student is fully covered by Republic, which will have a lasting impact as we develop the next generation of diesel technicians." To learn more and to apply for the program, visit www.RepublicServices.com/Tech-Institute. Source: BPT
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Prime Contractors, Subc
With recent findings highlighting that some of the nation’s largest construction firms are in the state of Texas, this tells us there is business. In order for contractors and subcontractors to be and remain competitive, it’s vital to have a firm business foundation. Building better relationships and obtaining more education are some keys to successfully help you build your business. We have a stronger Texas when our contractors and subcontractors are solid.
BUILDING STRONGE
—Keith “MR. D-MARS” Davis, Sr.
By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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ccording to the US Census Bureau, the nation’s construction industry was worth $1.3 trillion in 2019. As of 2020, the construction industry has 680,000+ employers and 7 million employees (The Associated General Contractors of America) — this is a decrease from 2018, where there were 11.2 million construction employees (Statista). The Associated Builders and Contractors reported that as of early 2020, over 50% of U.S. contractors expected profit increases within a six-month timeframe. Over the tumultuous course of 2020, confidence reached “historic lows” in April of 2020, but as of October 2020, there continues to be a rebound.
Focusing on our nation, specifically Texas, let’s look at some of the economic impacts of construction: • In Texas, construction contributed $100.9 billion (5.3%) of the state’s GDP of $1.9 trillion. There were 706,000 construction firms in the U.S. in 2017, including 43,859 in Texas. • Private nonresidential spending in Texas totaled $45.4 billion in 2019. State and local spending totaled $36.5 billion. • Construction jobs pay well. In Texas, 4 out of the 5 most numerous construction occupations had higher median pay than the median for all employees in the state in 2019.
Source: Ken Simonson, Chief Economist, AGC of America, ken.simonson@agc.org, from Bureau of Economic Analysis (GDP); Census Bureau (spending); Bureau of Labor Statistics (national and state employment, median wages); AGC (workforce survey).
Statista’s latest findings reveal several of the nation’s largest construction firms were from the State of Texas in 2020, with Fluor in Irving being the most profitable of them and ranked second in the top 50 largest construction firms for
the United States as a whole, due to its revenue of over 11.6 billion U.S. dollars that year. Ferrovial US Construction Corp. ranked second in Texas with a revenue of over 2.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. As the State of Texas boasts some of the most substantial construction firms in the U.S. and with the bidding process already competitive, combined with the reported turnaround, are you as a contractor or subcontractor prepared for success in 2022? Are your pre qualifications in order? More general contractors are requesting subcontractors show their competency and efficiency
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contractors & Agencies
GA ER TEXAS by having them fill out prequalification forms. Essentially, prequalification is like a background check. If your reputation is solid, and you have all your documents in order, prequalification is nothing to be concerned about, but organization is key. General contractors may have specific requirements for prequalification, and generally they create branded forms for subcontractors to fill out. Across the board, prequal statements tend to include requests for financial records, safety information, proof of insurance, and contractor certifications. A helpful tip is to search for examples on the web and use them as personal checklists.
L ea rn how to negotiate and analyze a Master Subcontractor Agreement, or MSA. This is an official document highlighting all expectations for a subcontractor, orchestrated between the general contractor and the subcontractor. In order for the sub to receive total compensation, they are to follow all requirements that are outlined in an MSA. This document determines your guidelines for an entire project, and any mishaps could ruin chances of winning repeat business. The goal of MSA is to make it clear from the beginning what is expected of your team on a project, so there are no misunderstandings down the line. One of the best ways to get ahead of the competition and prove yourself is to show that you are proficient with current digital tools. Competency in the tech area is still considered rare among subcontractors, which is fair, considering most general contractors have not been requiring their subs to use digital technology on projects until very recently. Now that there are more tech solutions catering
to the needs of those in the field, nearly all large general contractors are implementing software on their projects. Wearable tech devices are also becoming more common on jobsites, used for safety, tracking, and more. And in fact, some companies include mandatory software usage in their MSAs. By being able to show a contractor that you are skilled with software programs and digital tools, you automatically get a leg up on the competition who still write everything down with pen and paper. As a general contractor, one of the most critical keys to success is maintaining collaborative, fruitful working relationships with subcontractors. These days, tasked with managing projects that are larger, more complex and data-driven than ever before, it’s even more important to build solid subcontractor relationships. It can be a balancing act. On one hand, you need to effectively track their progress — holding them accountable for quality, safety and timelines. On the other, respecting their expertise and seeking their input and innovation while also providing them with the resources, timely communications, and information they need to highly perform. Set guidelines, rules, and expectations from the start. Keep subs in the loop and communicate often. It’s important to have a fluid system of record keeping in place. Continue to track progress, and reward good performance. With a healthy mix of industry best practices and modern technologies, today’s leading general contractors are able to not just maintain healthy working relationships with their subs, but consistently improve them. Now is the time for business people, whether you are a contractor or subcontractor, to start taking action to build your business. Building better relationships and obtaining more education are just some of the things you can do to strengthen your business. When our contractors and subcontractors are solid, that makes for a stronger Texas.
• $100.9 billion (5.3%) of the state’s GDP of $1.9 trillion. • Private nonresidential spending in Texas totaled $45.4 billion in 2019. • Construction jobs pay well. In Texas
Sources: US Census Bureau The Associated General Contractors of America Statista Associated Builders and Contractors Levelset Raken
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PERMITS
Two Critical Building Permitting Trends for Contractors To Consider in 2022 By Helen Callier Contributing Writer
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he number of building permits pulled in 2021 in most areas of the United States were trending higher than permits pulled in 2020. Single family residential showed increases in permitting activities in 2021 along with commercial and warehouses.
So,what whatdoes doesthis thismean meanfor forpermitting in So, permitting in 2022? 2022? The above insight is something to be aware of, but here’s what I do know for sure, regardless, if the construction market is hot, warm, or cold or if the architect’s pencils are flat, contractors still require a building permit in a timely manner. Why? Because the faster a permit can be pulled, the faster construction can start and get finished. Once a project is fully inspected and a certificate of occupancy, depending on project type, is obtained, then the doors of a business can open. And it is only at the point when the doors are open that the project owner can serve customers and begin to obtain a return on investment (ROI). With that being said, let’s look at two critical trends for contractors to consider when preparing for 2022. #1 Staffing Levels: Will be stressed in many permitting centers across the U.S., and jurisdictions will continue to have challenges finding qualified technical staff. Jurisdictions like the Houston Permitting Center
reported in October 2021 that they are recruiting for plan reviewers in many departments. Plus as a shortterm solution, they have rearranged some staff internally, including at the management level and are expected to engage 3rd party plan reviewers to assist with the workload. The challenge the PermitUsNow team foresees is the length of time and impact of new plan reviewers coming up-to-speed and handling workloads. Also, new plan reviewers sometimes generate more comments which can cause delays. We suggest: Make sure you know who is reviewing your plans, and reach out to the reviewer to answer any of your questions and provide clarifications. Hot construction markets like in Austin, Texas, will add more workload to Austin’s permitting and development staff. Contractors can expect similar
plan review times and are to be observant of possible added pressure to the permitting workload due to large corporations moving into the area, resulting in increased population. When swinging out to the West Coast, the City of San Francisco is expected to continue having long delays in reviewing plans and approving permits. We suggest: Plan work accordingly and whenever you can do so. Also, start early with your permitting so you can minimize late start of construction. #2 Technology: Expected to continue to play a strong role and can expect some system hiccups here and there as jurisdictions either come online with e-portals or are making improvements to their electronic system. Note that some small jurisdictions still require hard copies for plan reviews. We suggest: Review your pursuits and workload in your pipeline to identify the jurisdiction. Conduct research to figure out which electronic platform is being used or if the jurisdiction accepts hard copies only. Also, sign up for jurisdiction newsletters to stay abreast of changes to e-portals. There are huge opportunities to grow your construction business in 2022, especially when you pull permits in a timely manner. Have a plan to tackle the staffing level challenges, and make sure your team stays sharp on electronic submissions as this continues to evolve. Remember to #BuildSafe in 2022, and call the PermitUsNow team at 1.844.PERMIT.4 if you need assistance with permits. Visit us on the web at permitusnow.com.
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OIL AND GAS
API Statement on Passage of House Reconciliation Bill
access to the affordable and reliable energy this sector delivers every day.”
By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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he American Petroleum Institute (API) issued the following statement from President and CEO Mike Sommers following passage of the House reconciliation bill.
“At a time when energy prices have risen alongside broader economy-wide inflation, the House reconciliation bill would only exacerbate the challenges facing Americans. This bill taxes American energy, restricts access to our own resources and advances the same type of ‘import-moreoil’ strategy that this administration has been promoting as a solution. We urge the Senate to reject these misguided policies and focus on climate solutions that both reduce emissions and ensure Americans have
API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Its nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability. For more information, please visit api.org. Source: The American Petroleum Institute
OIL AND GAS
API Statement on FTC Investigation By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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he American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Frank Macchiarola following President Biden’s renewed request for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate rising gas prices. “This is a distraction from the fundamental market shift that is taking place and the illadvised government decisions that are exacerbating this challenging situation. Demand has returned as the economy comes back and is outpacing supply. Further impacting the imbalance is the continued decision from the administration to restrict access to America’s energy supply and cancel important infrastructure projects. Rather than launching investigations on markets that are regulated and closely monitored on a daily basis or pleading with OPEC to increase supply, we should be encouraging the safe and responsible development of American-made oil and natural gas.” API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability. For more information, please visit api.org. Source: The American Petroleum Institute
SAFETY
U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers To Avoid Compliance Issues By Ensuring Worker Safety, Proper Pay Practices This Holiday Season By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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ith the National Retail Federation expecting retailers to hire more than 500,000 seasonal workers and employers hopeful for a busy holiday season, the U.S. Department of Labor reminds them not to overlook their worker’s rights to a safe and healthy workplace and to be paid all of their legally earned wages. With many businesses open for in-person shopping in 2021, employers must also take steps to
control and prevent coronavirus spread. The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges employers to ensure it properly trains all workers – especially new and seasonal workers – to recognize and prevent workplace hazards. OSHA offers resources on holiday workplace safety for warehousing, delivery and retail workers. Guidance is also available for protecting retail workers, including those in high customer-volume environments, stockrooms and loading docks, and package delivery from coronavirus exposure. OSHA offers additional information on workers’ rights and protections, the protection of temporary and seasonal workers, as well as safety for young workers.
“The holiday season is typically a very busy time for businesses, and just as consumer demands increase, so must an employer’s awareness of keeping their employees safe,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Safety and Health Doug Parker.
“All workers – from those starting their first job to those making some extra money as a seasonal worker to those year-round employees – are entitled to a workplace free from hazards and to be trained in a language they understand to recognize and prevent hazards.”
The department also encourages employers, especially those unfamiliar with seasonal and part-time hiring, to familiarize themselves with federal wage rules to make sure they pay temporary and
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seasonal workers all of the wages they earned, and as the law requires. The Wage and Hour Division finds failing to pay salespeople and cashiers for time spent preparing for closing out registers, requiring stockroom and warehouse personnel to work through breaks without pay, and not paying workers overtime pay when required are among the most common violations cited in holiday employment investigations. “This holiday season, and all year round, workers deserve dignity and respect from their employers,” said Acting Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. “Employers should ensure their payroll practices comply with all minimum wage, overtime and child labor requirements so those who depend on their wages to care for themselves and their families are able to benefit from their hard work.” For more information, please visit osha.gov. Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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SAFETY
New Online Portal Simplifies Application Process for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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new online portal for submitting applications to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) is now available. The new portal modernizes the application process for companies that qualify for VPP and makes it easier for candidates to start, continue and get assistance with submitting their applications. “Companies in the Voluntary Protection Programs go above and beyond basic OSHA requirements and strive to create a culture of safety,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jim Frederick. “This important program comprises sites that serve as models of excellence and influence safety and health practices in all industries.” The portal allows OSHA to review applications in real time, and help companies correct errors or omissions quickly. Applicants can use the portal to upload electronic versions of supporting documentation, and they can stop and complete their application at a later time without having to restart. Alternatively, after completing an applicant profile, they may download an application form to complete offline, and submit their application materials by mail. OSHA developed the VPP Portal as part of the agency’s
efforts to continue representing safety and health excellence, leverage resources, accommodate effective administration of VPP and support smart program growth. The agency developed the portal with input from external stakeholders and OSHA staff. Qualified companies with mature safety and health management systems can apply to VPP using the new system. OSHA adopted VPP on July 2, 1982, to recognize cooperative action among government, industry, and labor as a means of addressing worker safety and health issues and expanding worker protection. Learn more about OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs at www.osha.gov/vpp/all-about-vpp. Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration
SAFETY
U.S. Department of Labor Alleges Global Truck Manufacturer Fired Worker Concerned About Coronavirus Safety at Texas Facility By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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s the coronavirus began to spread rapidly across the nation in March 2020, an employee of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of light, medium and heavy-duty trucks told a supervisor of their concerns about exposure to the virus at the Denton facility. In response, a representative of PACCAR Inc. – doing business as Peterbilt Motor Co. – told the employee that the company planned to clean work spaces and continue work as usual. After Paccar later learned the employee expressed concerns publicly about the company’s response and their concern for the safety of other employees, the company fired the employee. A subsequent investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the employee engaged in protected activity by raising their workplace safety concerns, and that the company’s retaliation violated federal whistleblower protections. On Nov. 17, the department’s Office of the Solicitor filed suit against PACCAR Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. In its action, the department asks the court to order the company to comply with anti-retaliation provisions in the Occupational Safety and Health Act; reinstate the employee to his former employment position with the company, pay the employee back wages, interest, compensatory and punitive damages and other remedies; and expunge the employee’s personnel record. “Our investigation found that PACCAR terminated a worker for reporting their concerns that the company’s response to the dangers of the coronavirus would not
prevent its spread,” said Regional OSHA Administrator Eric S. Harbin in Dallas. “Every worker has the right to report safety concerns of any kind without fear of retaliation.” “The U.S. Department of Labor will hold employers accountable when they retaliate against workers who raise safety concerns for themselves and their co-workers,” said Regional Solicitor of Labor John Rainwater in Dallas. “At the same time, the department will work vigorously to ensure a worker’s legal right to a safe and healthy workplace is protected as the law provides.” Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, PACCAR Inc. is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. It also designs and manufactures trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, Leyland Trucks and DAF brands. OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of the OSH Act and more than 20 whistleblower statutes. These statutes protect employees from retaliation for reporting violations of workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, securities and tax laws; as well as for engaging in other related protected activities. For more information on whistleblower protections, visit OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Programs webpage at www.whistleblowers.gov.
OIL AND GAS
U.S. Department of Labor Orders Houston Crane Company To Pay Nearly $24k to Worker Who Refused To Violate Federal Law By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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federal whistleblower investigation led the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to order a Houston mobile crane rental company to pay a former employee nearly $24,000 in back wages, interest and damages after firing the worker in June 2020 for refusing to drive in excess of federal limits and reported fatigue. OSHA determined Crane Masters Inc. violated the Surface Transportation Assistance Act when it retaliated against the employee on June 5, 2020, for refusing to exceed safe driving limits set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The employee worked 19 hours the day prior and could not get the required time off before returning to work– making it unsafe to operate a vehicle. The investigation led OSHA to order the company to pay the driver nearly $14,000 in back wages, interest and compensatory damages, and $10,000 in punitive damages. “Crane Masters Inc. punished a driver who refused to jeopardize their safety and that of others on the road by violating federal laws that restrict how many hours a truck driver may operate a commercial vehicle each day,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Eric Harbin in Dallas. “Commercial truck drivers, mechanics and other workers are critical to our nation’s transportation infrastructure and our economy, but they should never be forced to put themselves or others at risk because of an employer’s concern for profit, or fear retaliation for exercising their legal rights.” Crane Masters provides hydraulic truck cranes and rigging services to several industries, including construction, oil and gas, freight transportation and chemical manufacturing. It has operated for 20 years and serves the greater Houston area. OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than 20 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of various workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, securities, tax, antitrust, and anti-money laundering laws and for engaging in other related protected activities. For more information on whistleblower protections, visit OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Programs webpage at www.whistleblowers.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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SMALL BUSINESS ON THE MOVE Take your company to new heights!
ARCHITECTURE/ ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
GENERAL SERVICES
SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT
METRO’s OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS OFFERS: • Outreach • Certification • Compliance
• Virtual one-on-one • Small Business University (SBU) • Business Development
For more information, contact METRO’s Office of Small Business at smallbusiness@RideMETRO.org or call 713.739.4844.
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In the Subcontractors USA Community... To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.subcusa.com and Click on ‘Photo Gallery.’
Meet The BUYERS Annual Procurement Event. Hosted By Office of Business Opportunity.
The City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity recently hosted the Meet the Buyer Annual Procurement event. The Office of Business Opportunity’s Meet the Buyer Procurement Forum (MTB) is the ultimate opportunity for small businesses to connect and network with City procurement agents as well as other governmental agencies and prime contractors. MTB is one of the largest events OBO offers, which spans over a decade in service to certified firms every December. Meet the Buyer consists of a featured program, exhibitor fair, and workshops dedicated to help small businesses understand governmental procurement processes, connect with procurement buyers and agents, obtain information on the latest City projects, access resources provided by business support organizations, and network with other businesses.
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SUBCONTRACTORS USA
TRANSPORTATION
METRO's COVID-19 Safety Strategies Receive Industry Recognition
By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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he Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) has been recognized for its proactive safety measures in response to COVID-19 by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), during its annual conference and expo in Orlando, Florida. Each year APTA recognizes transit agencies that implement successful programs or projects to address a specific safety or security initiative. This year, METRO was named the winner of APTA's 2021 Rail COVID-19 Certificate of Merit award for Light Rail/Streetcar Systems for transit agencies with more than 20 million passenger trips annually. APTA selected METRO for its commitment to safeguarding the health of its employees and riders by implementing numerous safety mitigations that kept our community functioning during the height of the pandemic. For example, METRO initially introduced free fares and rear-door entry, enhanced cleanings, social distancing strategies, emergency-response partnerships, robust communications, and educational campaigns.
Other OtherCOVID-19 COVID-19safeguards safeguards included: included: • Free shuttle services to COVID-19 vaccination sites. • METROLift partnering with the city of Houston to deliver essential supplies to senior citizens and residents living with disabilities. • Distributing more than 2 million face masks to riders since the agency began requiring the use of facial
coverings last summer. • Installing protective shields around drivers' seats to add another layer of separation between operators and riders. • Providing access to hand sanitizer on METRO buses, METRORail, and METROLift. • Putting an even greater emphasis on disinfecting surfaces and adding cleanings during peak hours.
In addition, METRO's Communications Department won numerous APTA 2021 AdWheel Awards for its educational video stories and last year it took home first place honors for "Rope a Ride with METRO," winning APTA's 2020 AdWheel Grand Award under the Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding category. That 2020 award was presented in person at this year’s APTA conference. For more information, please visit ridemetro.org.
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TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
Guest Services: Houston Airports Unveils Customer Experience Brand Promise By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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ith a number of ongoing expansions, upgrades and modernizations, Houston Airports takes great pride in meeting and exceeding customer expectations. According to Chief Terminal Management Officer Liliana Rambo, it’s as simple as “being a good host with guests coming over” – with an estimated 44 million “guests” expected by the end of 2021.
“When we are expecting guests at my house, we take special efforts to make sure the house is organized and clean,” Rambo said. “We employ that very same philosophy at Houston Airports, though clearly on an infinitely larger scale. As our Director Mario Diaz recently said, ‘Our passengers are at the center of every decision we make.’” Houston Airports recently unveiled its new customer experience brand promise, specifically designed to intimately serve its guests – every customer who visits George Bush Intercontinental, William P. Hobby, and Ellington Airports. The brand promise states: “From your house to ours, we promise to deliver a five-star airport experience for our guests that showcases world-class service, modern facilities and uniquely “Houston friendly” hospitality – first time, every time.” Diaz was resolute in saying that it’s no longer good enough to simply say that Houston Airports promises a world-class customer experience. “We have to go beyond that,” he said. “In other words, what we say and do means nothing if we fail to make an authentic and meaningful connection with one another. What a profound concept to apply to our approach to customer service.” He said that Houston Airports has shifted its culture to customer-centric and the brand promise applies to every single guest, every single day. Diaz said that to fully deliver on that promise, the airports must be consistently clean, the experience must be safe and efficient, and even more value is added through improvement of processes and new guest experience offerings that will help the airports reach a vaunted 5-star Skytrax rating. Ronnie Pickard has served as Houston Airports’ Man-
ager of Customer Experience Strategy since December 2020 and recently discussed the brand promise, created from months of collaboration and consultation. Pickard said that Diaz, Rambo and Houston Airports Senior Staff tasked him with taking into account every facet of the customer experience. “We have taken a long look at the customer experience—mapping the journey itself from the time each guest arrives at the airport, through wayfinding, activity in the garage, experience at the check-in counters, availability and usefulness of amenities and much more— everything that has an impact on that customer.” “We have closely examined everything that the customer is experiencing from a touchpoint perspective, especially the emotional, human element of it.” When drafting the pre-work that led to the brand promise, he worked closely with Maria Amezaga, Director of Marketing and Molly Waits, Chief of Marketing, Air Service Development, and Communications Officer and their staffs to ascertain “the voice of the customer.” Subsequently and key in the formation of the brand promise was a workshop held June 15-17, 2021. Approximately 75 team members attended, a cross-functional representation of each of the 11 divisions within Houston Airports. “The premise of that workshop was to identify components of who we want to be as HAS and how we want to be viewed by our customers,” Pickard said. Each group broke into teams at the workshop and came up with key phrases that they thought were reflective of the commitment to customer service at Houston Airports. Pickard said, “The workshop was intensive and extremely productive, with each group empowered to provide open, honest dialogue and healthy discussion.” Joanne Paternoster, CEO of Butterfly Consulting, was brought in to assist the team with the necessary steps for establishing the brand promise and enhance the customer experience. Defining the customer base and identifying key stakeholders was imperative in developing sound strategy. Pickard said that he and the leadership team put in the work and were very satisfied with the ultimate result – the brand promise that will serve as a “guiding light” in serving others.
“Our brand promise is who we are at our core,” Pickard said. “The brand promise for Houston Airports needed to feel warm and personable,” he said. “Liliana reminded us of that when she said that if guests come to her home, she cleans it from top to bottom and wants it to be in tip-top shape.” “That’s exactly the feeling each ‘guest’ at Houston Airports should feel, whether a frequent business traveler or a once-a-year leisure traveler.” Houston Airports wants each visitor to truly feel special and wants to convey respect and appreciation for them. “This is every single day, for every single visit, no matter where they are in their airport experience,” Pickard said. “That goes for frequent business travelers as well as the occasional leisure traveler—no matter who you are. If you come to our ‘house,’ you are welcome and appreciated.” He said the brand promise was created from a lot of work but is organic and really came about from the genuine intentions of Houston Airports team members.
“Going forward,” Pickard said, “we want everyone within Houston Airports to take ownership of it—that’s the way we will be successful. We will measure that by the service level we deliver through customer service satisfaction surveys, customer comment cards and more.” He said that the brand promise will eventually be rolled out to their partners in the airport community—TSA, CBP, the airlines, concessionaires and the like. “Our partners should take ownership of the brand promise themselves in order to provide a pleasant and seamless guest experience,” Pickard said. Pickard continued, “The goal is to have each guest— each customer—walk away with a positive experience. We serve ‘cradle to grave’ and all walks of life, and through our brand promise, we squarely address the human element. Our hope is that living this out in the workplace will instill an even greater sense of pride within the Houston Airports team as well as the airport community as a whole.” For more information, please visit www.fly2houston.com.
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Source: Houston Airports
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