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TEXAS JOURNAL
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May 2022 | Advertising for Certified Women, Veteran & Minority-Owned Subcontractors | 74th Edition
Brothers & Brothers Utility Services LLC
Provides Quality Work Across America LEFT TO RIGHT: Darrell Provo, COO and Co-Owner and Audrey Provo, CEO and Co-Owner
16-17
INSIDE
05
Subcontractors USA EXPO 2022
18-19 CenterPoint Energy and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 66 Sponsor Lineman's Rodeo
12
Texas Adopts First-Ever Electricity Supply Chain Map
2 | May 2022
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May 2022 | 3
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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 cover story highlights Brothers & Brothers Utility Services LLC. This company is a recognizable and well-respected name across America in the electric and utility fields, delivering safe and quality work across America. With highly skilled and trained professionals, the company’s mission is to keep solidarity, integrity, and safety at the forefront of the utility industry. Under the vision
Port of Houston
Metro
BEHIND THE JOURNAL
—the Honorable Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States
City of Houston
16-17 COVER STORY 16-17 Brothers & Brothers Utility Services LLC Provides Quality Work Across America 16-17
ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla
04 ARCHITECTURE 04 NOMA International Conference Unplugged 2022 06 News from the National Organization of Minority Architects
ASSISTANT SALES REPRESENTATIVE Tiffany Brown
07 CONSTRUCTION 07 Three Out of Four Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs From March 2021 To March 2022, Even as Labor Shortages Hold Back Further Gains 08 El Paso, Texas’s Veliz Construction Wins Diverse Business of the Year Award From National Construction Association 10 AGC & Procore Meet Initial Goal of Raising $500,000 to Launch a New Scholarship for Minority Students Studying Construction at HBCUs 12 ENERGY 12 Texas Adopts First-Ever Electricity Supply Chain Map 13 New Study Ranks San Antonio as the No. 5 City for Solar Energy in the U.S. 18-19 Lineman's Rodeo 14 OIL AND GAS 14 RRC Earns National Mine Award for Drone Training Program 15 RRC Commissioners Vote To Ensure Supply for Texans Relying on Natural Gas in Emergencies
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Bria Casteel ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Erick Fontejon PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter L.C. Poullard DISTRIBUTION Mike Jones CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dana C Sotoodeh Helen Callier Subcontractors USA
HISD
20 PERMITS 20 Contractors: Why You Must Read the State of the Construction Industry Article 22 SAFETY 22 US Department of Labor To Hold Public Meeting To Provide Overview Of OSHA Initiatives To Protect Workers From Heat Hazards 22 Secretary Marty Walsh Issues Statement Remembering Fallen Workers, Reaffirming Commitment to Worker Safety on Workers Memorial Day 24 IT & TECHNOLOGY 24 MAC Safety Consultants' Research Finds Vita Inclinata's Vita Load Navigator Reduces Construction Fatalities by 75% and Overall Accidents by 63% 25 Well-prepared to Build an Intelligent World - Innodisk AIoT Solutions Target EV and Smart City 26 TRANSPORTATION 26 Austin Transportation News
HUB
VBE
DBE
OUR SERVICES
CONTENTS
PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. CHIEF OF STAFF & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd
"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our communities."
of co-owners, Darrell and Audrey Provo, BBUS is a company that prioritizes quality over quantity. The company’s impressive client roster includes Eversource Energy, Con Edison, Entergy, and National Grid. BBUS understands the great importance of customers’ needs to manage their businesses and households, and is committed to restoring electrical power quickly, efficiently, and safely. 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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4 | May 2022
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ARCHITECTURE
NOMA
International Conference Unplugged 2022 By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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he National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) is proud to present the 51st Annual NOMA International Conference Unplugged on October 26–30, 2022. So what does ‘Unplugged’ mean? At the 51st Annual Conference, over 1000 professional designers from across the nation plan to cut loose from our routine of staying indoors by ‘unplugging’ from our ritualistic ZOOMcalls and fellowshipping once again with colleagues and friends. We are excited to host the conference in Nashville, TN, showcasing the best food, dance, art, culture, and music that “Music City” has to offer.
Fifty-one years ago, NOMA was founded by twelve African-American architects who saw the need to advocate for the Architecture and Design industry to be more inclusive, cultivate emerging talent that is often overlooked, and create more equitable communities. We are excited to showcase an exposition in the heart of one of NOMA’s newest and fastest-growing chapters: Nashville. Designers, planners, innovators, and thought leaders will congregate together in one of America’s most talked-about and celebrated cities to discover the latest in design, innovation, current events, and culture. We welcome you to join us in person as we celebrate the advancement of our community as the most ambitious and progressive minority professionals from the built environment come together to celebrate the future of architecture and design.
Conference registration is coming soon. For more information about the conference, please visit www.noma.net/conference.
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Source: National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
May 2022 | 5
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6 | May 2022
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ARCHITECTURE
News from the National Organization of Minority Architects By Subcontractors USA News Provider
The 10 Most Innovative Architecture Firms in 2022
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xplore the full 2022 list of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, 528 organizations whose efforts are reshaping their businesses, industries, and the broader culture. Architects are masters at taking novel ideas and turning them into physical spaces. The firms on this year’s list of the 10 most innovative companies in the architecture industry have pushed the limits of what it means to build. One found ways of applying sustainable design at the scale of a stadium, ensuring that every event under its roof can happen without producing any net carbon dioxide emissions. Another firm developed a method of building floors that slashes excess material use, eliminating most of the concrete and steel that undergird the skyscraping floors of urban high-rises. Another firm is pushing the standard billboard into the realm of technicolor alien spaceships with a bold street-side advertising/art structure right in the heart of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. For the full article and list, please visit www.fastcompany.com.
100 Women to Watch in Architecture
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he future of architecture is female. That’s what recent A+Awards winners have taught us, with more women than ever leading teams in conceptualizing, designing, and delivering some of the world’s best architecture around the globe. Women have been the creative force behind dozens of winning projects in recent seasons, from B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio’s Yoko Fujii and Apparatus Architects’ Gabriella Gamma to KIENTRUC O’s Anni Le and Formafatal’s Dagmar Štěpánová. For the 10th Annual A+Awards, there is also a growing number of pioneering women on the program’s preeminent jury, setting up a refreshing prospect: Many of this year’s A+Award-winning projects will be designed by women, and rewarded by women, too.
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.
For the full article and list, please visit www.architizer.com. Source: National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
Learn more about how we can help support your business at: www.porthouston.com/businessequity Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
May 2022 | 7
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CONSTRUCTION
Three Out of Four Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs From March 2021 To March 2022, Even as Labor Shortages Hold Back Further Gains By Subcontractors USA News Provider
onstruction employment increased in three-fourths of U.S. metro areas between March 2021 and March 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted that labor shortages likely kept many firms from adding even more workers during the past year.
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“It is heartening to see construction employment come back from the depths of pandemic-induced job losses in most areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But the skyrocketing number of job openings shows the industry needs far more workers than are available in many parts of the country.” The government’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey shows that there were 364,000 job openings in construction going into March--a 52 percent jump from a year earlier, Simonson noted. Openings exceeded the 342,000 employees hired in February, implying that construction firms would have added twice as many employees if they had been available, the economist asserted. Construction employment rose in 268 or 75 percent of 358 metro areas over the 12-month period. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas added the most construction jobs (9,300 jobs, 4 percent), followed by St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. (6,300 jobs, 10 percent); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. (6,000 jobs, 4 percent); and Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (5,300 jobs, 4 percent). Cheyenne, Wyo. had the highest percentage gain (42 percent, 1,300 jobs), followed by Bay City, Mich. (27 percent, 300 jobs); Lake Charles, La. (24 percent, 3,700 jobs); and Gary, Ind. (18 percent, 2,600 jobs). Construction employment declined in 48 metro areas from March 2021 and was stagnant in 42 areas. New York City lost the most jobs (-3,400 or -2 percent), followed by Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. (-2,400 jobs, -3 percent) and Pittsburgh, Pa. (-1,900 jobs, -3 percent). The largest percentage declines were in Danville, Ill. (-17 percent, -100 jobs); Charleston, W.Va. (-10 percent, -700 jobs); San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, Calif. (-8 percent, -800 jobs); and Tuscaloosa, Ala. (-8 percent, -500 jobs). Association officials said that too few young adults and high school students are exposed to the many high-paying opportunities that exist within the construction industry. The association has launched a range of efforts, including a digital advertising recruiting campaign, to reach more potential workers. They also urged federal officials to boost funding for career and technical education programs to expose more future workers to construction career opportunities. “Many people out there would love to make a good living while working with their hands and technology to build amazing projects,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “But too few schools are willing to challenge the prevailing orthodoxy that the only path to success in college.” Source: www.agc.org
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CONSTRUCTION
El Paso, Texas’s Veliz Construction Wins Diverse Business of the Year Award From National Construction Association By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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l Paso’s Veliz Construction was named the 2022 Diverse Business of the Year award winner by the Associated General Contractors of America, association officials announced recently. The association also awarded Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Awards, which are sponsored by WTW, to Austin Commercial, Hensel Phelps, Millstone Weber, LLC, and Central Builders.
These awards recognize firms that are doing an outstanding job recruiting, retaining, and engaging workers of all backgrounds,” said Bob Lanham, the association’s former president and president of Williams Brothers Construction Co., Inc. in Houston, Texas.
“More important, they are designed to inspire and instruct other firms in how to successfully attract diverse new workers.” Veliz Construction, Inc. is a Hispanic-owned and operated general contractor offering general contracting services across Texas and New Mexico. The company’s vision is to be the premier firm for challenging construction projects in Texas and New Mexico by achieving extraordinary results for their customers and building satisfying careers for their people. Veliz Construction has adopted a culture of continuous improvement that focuses on teamwork, open communication, and constant feedback. Association officials noted that
the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Awards are part of the association’s broader efforts to make the construction industry more diverse and inclusive. The association also operates a nationwide recruiting campaign called “Construction is Essential” to attract more diverse workers. Its Culture of Care program helps firms create more welcoming and inclusive workplaces. And its Business Case for a Diverse Industry helps construction leaders see how more diverse firms are innovative, profitable, and safe. In addition to naming Veliz Construction as the Diverse Business of the Year, Lanham also announced four other winners of the association’s fifth annual Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards. Austin Commercial, based in the Texas state capitol, won the Association’s Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Grand Award for the third year in a row, which goes to the firm that scores the highest number of points out of any of the Diversity & Inclusion Excellence categories. Hensel Phelps, located in Greeley, Colorado, won the Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Award for a large contractor. The Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Award for a mid-sized contractor went to Millstone Weber, LLC in St. Charles, Missouri. And the Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Award for a small contractor went to Central Builders in San Antonio, Texas. The five awards were presented during the association’s annual convention in Grapevine, Texas last month. A diverse panel of judges, representing all aspects of construction, evaluated the submissions based on three criteria: corporate commitment to diversity & inclusion, workforce diversity & inclusion initiatives, and subcontractor/supply chain diversity & inclusion initiatives, Lanham noted. For more information about the AGC Diversity & Inclusion Awards,please visit www.agc.org/DiversityAwards. Source: www.agc.org
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CONSTRUCTION
AGC & Procore Meet Initial Goal of Raising $500,000 to Launch a
NEW SCHOLARSHIP for Minority Students Studying Construction at HBCUs
By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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he Associated General Contractors of America and Procore Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: PCOR), a leading global provider of construction management software, announced recently they have met their initial fundraising goal of $500,000 for a new scholarship to support minority students studying construction at the nation’s Historically Black Colleges & Universities, or HBCUs for short. Students will begin receiving the scholarship starting in the 2022-23 school year. “Our members understand and appreciate the wisdom of investing in a more diverse and inclusive future,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “By meeting the initial fundraising challenge for this new scholarship, they are supporting construction students at some of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious construction programs.” Sandherr noted that the new scholarship is part of the association’s broader efforts to diversify the construction industry and help it become even more inclusive. The association’s workforce recruiting campaign, “Construction is Essential” is designed to help recruit more diverse workers into the industry. Meanwhile, its “Culture of Care” program is designed to help firms create more inclusive workplaces, so they better retain newly hired workers. Among key supporters of the new scholarship are the Beavers Charitable Trust, Bowen Engineering, Bulley & Andrews, Caddell Construction Company, Josam Co., Stanley Construction, and Williams Brothers Construction. Association officials added that they plan to continue fundraising for the new HBCU scholarship to be able to support even more students. “In order to create opportunities for everyone to thrive and succeed, and to open more doors for the next generation of construction professionals, we must work together,” said Sasha Reed, Director of Industry Advancement at Procore. “These scholarships will increase the likelihood that more Black students will choose the construction and graduate prepared to become the leaders in the industry.” Procore helped launch the new scholarship last fall with an initial $250,000 gift. In addition to supporting the new scholarship, Procore.org, their social impact arm, provides educational support to HBCUs through free access to Procore’s platform and training resources to equip instructors with the tools needed to educate the future construction workforce.
“This new scholarship allows us to invest in future industry leaders coming out of the nation’s HBCUs,” said Darrel Gibson, the executive director of the AGC Education & Research Foundation. “These scholarships make it easier for emerging leaders to focus on their future, instead of their finances.” The HBCU scholarship program will be administered by the AGC Education and Research Foundation, which awards a host of construction scholarships, funds research into key construction topics, and supports faculty externships at commercial construction firms. Gibson said the first round of scholarships will be awarded in the early fall to support students in the school year 2022-2023. Additional scholarships will be awarded annually in the fall. Visit https://donate.agc.org/ Foundations/HBCU.aspx to learn more about the new scholarship and find out how individuals can contribute to it. Source: www.agc.org
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ENERGY
Texas Adopts First-Ever Electricity Supply Chain Map By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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he Texas Electricity Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee today adopted an Electricity Supply Chain Map of critical infrastructure – the first of its kind in the state – for use during disaster and emergency preparedness and response. “This map will save lives in Texas,” said Thomas Gleeson, Public Utility Commission of Texas Executive Director and chairman of the mapping committee. “Our agencies have collected an enormous amount of critical information in one place, available to state emergency officials with a click of a mouse. That means better-coordinated preparedness before a disaster and faster response times in an emergency, to protect the Texas grid.”
“This map is an important tool to protect all Texans during weather emergencies.,” said Wei Wang, Railroad Commission of Texas Executive Director and vice-chair of the committee. “It is also a great example of how
the agencies have been collaborating. Our teams worked shoulder to shoulder together and exchanged a very large amount of data
and information. All the layers of facilities on the map will help the state’s planning and response to fix problems real-time and prioritize electricity service during emergencies.” The map identifies critical infrastructure facilities that make up the state’s electricity supply chain, including electric generation plants and the natural gas facilities that supply fuel to power the plants. State emergency management officials will use the map during weather emergencies and disasters to pinpoint the location of critical electric and natural gas facilities and emergency contact information for those facilities. The current map has more than 65,000 facilities including electricity generation plants powered
by natural gas, electrical substations, natural gas processing plants, underground gas storage facilities, oil and gas well leases, saltwater disposal wells, as well as more than 21,000 miles of gas transmission pipelines and approximately 60,000 miles of power transmission lines. In addition to infrastructure layers, the Electricity Supply Chain map includes elements such as Texas Division of Emergency Management regions, emergency contact information for facilities, as well as visualization of weather watches and warnings as they occur in any part of the state. The map is a living document and will be updated twice a year, or more often if necessary. Creation of the map was required under Senate Bill 3 passed by the 87th Texas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. The legislation prohibits the public release of the map and corresponding data to protect the safety and integrity of the electricity supply chain. The Mapping Committee is comprised of the Public Utility Commission, the Railroad Commission, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The committee will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, May 31, which will be livestreamed for the public at www.puc.texas. gov/agency/Broadcasts.aspx.
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Source: www.rrc.texas.gov
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ENERGY
New Study Ranks
San Antonio
as the No. 5 City for Solar Energy in the U.S. By Dana C Sotoodeh CPS Energy Contributor
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an Antonio maintained its rank as first in Texas and fifth in the nation for total solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in the eighth edition of the Environment Texas Research & Policy Center’s report Shining Cities: The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy. The city is home to 354.9 megawatts of the solar capacity total, which comes out to 247.4 watts per person. The report, which is the most comprehensive survey available of installed solar capacity in major U.S. cities, designates San Antonio a ‘Solar Superstar,’ meaning it boasts 100 or more watts of solar PV capacity installed per capita. Solar capacity in San Antonio increased by 39% since 2020. “The Alamo City has once again earned the title of ‘Solar Superstar,’ said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas Research & Policy Center. “This Earth Week, I’m struck by how far we’ve come toward tapping the immense power of the sun – this report goes to show just how much progress we’ve made right here in Texas. San Antonio is truly setting the pace when it comes to solar adoption, and leaving behind a cleaner environment, healthier community, and more resilient future in the process.” The City of San Antonio has a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and offers a Bring Solar Home platform to help residents explore their solar options for going solar. “Home-grown solar power is such an important part of building a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient San Antonio,” said the City’s Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m so proud of the work our city has done to take advantage of our abundant sunshine, from the goals we established through our SA Climate Ready Plan to the steps we’ve taken to help our residents access clean solar power for their homes and businesses.” “We are thrilled that San Antonio remains number one in the state for solar generation and number five in the nation- especially as installed solar capacity has soared,” said Rudy D. Garza, Interim President & CEO of CPS Energy. “ This Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
designation speaks volumes about the work we have done as a community to make San Antonio a leader in the clean energy space. We thank our customers and partners for helping us achieve this distinction and look forward to the work we will do together to build an even greener San Antonio.” Beyond the findings in Texas, the report noted that the United States now has 121.4 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity installed. That’s enough solar energy to power more than 23 million homes. Additionally, the report found that 15 major U.S. cities recorded a tenfold increase in their solar capacity between 2014 and 2022. Nationally, Honolulu placed first for solar energy capacity per capita, while Los Angeles finished No. 1 in total solar energy capacity installed. Austin Energy had the most solar per capita for total solar (both inside and outside the service territory) among surveyed municipally-owned utilities with 3,119.8 watts per person. These numbers tell the story of progress driven by pro-solar policies, many of which are outlined in the report. CPS Energy’s Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP) has been an important driver in San Antonio’s success, with $153 million invested in solar since 2009. Metzger urged the city to continue the STEP program, install solar panels on city buildings, and adopt “solar ready” requirements for new construction to ensure San Antonio’s continued leadership. “I’m so proud to see the leadership of Texas cities, especially San Antonio, featured among the very best in the nation in this solar survey,” said Metzger. “But we can’t stop here. Our solar potential is practically limitless, and we can do even more to tap that potential. We need continued commitment from our local and state leaders, on Earth Day and every day, to pick up the pace of progress even more in the years to come.” For more information, please visit CPSEnergy.com. Source: CPS Energy
14 | May 2022
SUBCONTRACTORS USA
OIL AND GAS
RRC Earns National Mine Award for
DRONE TRAINING PROGRAM By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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he Railroad Commission’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Division (SMRD) has earned national recognition for excellence for its drone training program – training that highlights safety and operational efficiency. The Interstate Mining Compact Commission recently presented the RRC with its National Mine Safety and Health Training Award in the State Category for Coal Surface Mining during its annual meeting.
The IMCC, which comprises 26 states, noted that the RRC promotes “a safe workplace within the Lone Star State’s mining industry through innovative and effective training programs.” The award recognized RRC video training that highlights SMRD’s use of drone technology in the field, including pre-and post-flight procedures, drone inspection efficiency, how drones and maintain a safe distance
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between multi-ton mining equipment and inspectors. “We are extremely honored to receive this award,” said Brent Elliott, RRC’s Director of the SMRD. “We are not just committed to adopting new technologies that improve on our ability to protect public safety and the environment, but the award shows our willingness to share what we know to help both industry and regulators alike.” Source: www.rrc.texas.gov
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SUBCONTRACTORS USA
OIL AND GAS
RRC Commissioners Vote To Ensure Supply for Texans Relying on Natural Gas in Emergencies By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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ailroad Commission of Texas commissioners recently adopted a new rule that sets priorities for firm gas supplies and transportation during emergencies such as last year’s Winter Storm Uri. This latest action by the Commission continues efforts to ensure Texans that in energy emergency events, like Uri, their life-saving natural gas for food and heat will continue to flow. The new curtailment rule is similar to an emergency order commissioners issued during Uri to prioritize natural gas deliveries for human needs, which in turn helped 99.95% of gas utility local distribution residential customers to maintain natural gas service during the storm. Similar to last year’s emergency order, the new rule also cements gas deliveries to electric generation facilities as a top priority. The curtailment rule is triggered when a gas utility is unable to deliver all the gas it is contractually obligated to deliver (through what’s known as firm contracts) during emergency events and has to curtail its firm customers.
In such situations, the rule sets the Infollowing such situations, rule sets order of the priorities for the firmfollowing order of priorities for firm deliveries: deliveries: 1. Human needs customers and local distribution systems which serve human needs customers. 2. Electric generation facilities.
3. Industrial and commercial users of the minimum natural gas required to prevent physical harm and/or ensure critical safety to the plant facilities, plant personnel, or the public when such protection cannot be achieved through the use of alternate fuel. 4. Small industrials and regular commercial loads that use less than 3 million cubic feet of gas per day. 5. Large industrial and commercial users for fuel or as a raw material where an alternate fuel or raw material cannot be used and operation and plant production would be curtailed or shut down completely when natural gas is curtailed. 6. Large industrial and commercial users for fuel or as a raw material where an alternate fuel or raw material can be used and operation and plant production would be curtailed or shut down completely when natural gas is curtailed. 7. Customers that are not covered by the priorities listed above.
The priority list helps ensure the availability of gas for human needs customers, and electricity generation facilities powered by natural gas. Human needs customers to include residences, hospitals, water and wastewater facilities, emergency responder facilities, and locations where people may congregate in an emergency such as schools and places of worship. “The Commission’s curtailment order during Uri saved countless lives by ensuring the 99% of Texans that needed life-saving natural gas during the freeze – got
it,” said RRC Chairman Wayne Christian. “It’s vital to have an action plan for emergencies, and that’s what curtailment does. The Commission today strengthened that plan by placing it in our rules and focusing on firm supply and transport of natural gas. This will give market participants certainty of the plan and encourage them to obtain firm contracts, increasing the reliability of the natural gas system in Texas.” “One of the fundamental principles of the Railroad Commission of Texas is to prioritize the health and safety of Texans,” said Commissioner Christi Craddick. “Through the adoption of our curtailment order, we have honored the mission of this agency by prioritizing human needs natural gas customers. I am proud of the hard work by agency staff and stakeholders to ensure that natural gas is available to those who need it most during an emergency.” “As we saw during Winter Storm Uri, it is essential that the delivery of gas is prioritized for human needs and electrical generation in emergency situations,” said Commissioner Jim Wright. “Today’s rulemaking updates longstanding Railroad Commission practices to ensure that those with firm contracts have the gas they need to keep our citizens safe.” A copy of the adopted rule can be found at www.rrc.texas.gov. The rule goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2022.
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Source: www.rrc.texas.gov
16 | May 2022
SUBCONTRACTORS USA
Leading in the Utility Industry With
SOLIDARITY, INTEGRIT SAFETY & FAITH By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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Audrey and Darrell Provo
I always aspired to do something great in this field. Whenever I worked for other companies, I prided myself on doing an exceptional job efficiently with the crew and customers’ safety as a top priority. —Darrell Provo Chief Operating Officer
rothers & Brothers Utility Services LLC (BBUS) is a recognizable and well-respected name across America in the electric and utility fields, delivering safe and quality work across America. With highly skilled and trained professionals, the company’s mission is to keep solidarity, integrity, and safety at the forefront of the utility industry. Under the vision of co-owners, Darrell and Audrey Provo, BBUS is a company that prioritizes quality over quantity. Through much preparation, prayer, and faith, BBUS officially opened its doors on May 21, 2021. BBUS currently serves 5 states, has 25 years of combined experience, and has serviced 250,000 customers. The company’s impressive client roster includes Eversource Energy, Con Edison, Entergy, and National Grid. BBUS provides turnkey installation and design capabilities for substation projects and also specializes in turnkey services for the construction and maintenance of transmission lines. BBUS serves residential, commercial, and industrial loads with the installation and maintenance of overhead pole lines and underground buried cables. BBUS understands the great importance of customers’ needs to manage their businesses and households, and is committed to restoring electrical power quickly, efficiently, and safely. Darrell is a highly trained journeyman lineman with 7,000 hours of on-the-job training through the Southwestern Line Constructors Joint Apprenticeship Training Program. He is certified by the Department of Labor as a journeyman lineman. Darrell holds various certifications in the utility industry such as Quanta Helicopter Certified, Certified Energized Conductor, Pole Top & Bucket Rescue, and OSHA 10 w/ET&D. “I always aspired to do something great in this field. Whenever I worked for other companies, I prided myself on doing an exceptional job efficiently with the crew and customers’ safety as a top priority,” said Darrell. “Through my experience, there grew a desire to run my own company that would stand on the same principles used while I was working for other utility companies.” Audrey was the rock supporting Darrell while he was building his career and still is a rock and significant component as she leads BBUS’s foundation for success. She has a genuine love for people and loves how with focus, faith, and the right perspective, a challenging situation can have a positive outcome. Audrey has worked in various management and leadership positions, with a background in human resources and a concentration in mental health. And with 10 years of experience managing her own company, her business management skills have proven invaluable for BBUS.
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Q&A With Brothers & Brothers Utility Services LLC: SUBC: How does BBUS stand out from competitors? BBUS: BBUS prides itself on catering to our employees while maintaining great customer service. In return, our employees are dedicated and committed to completing the tasks assigned. Our hands-on experience is part of BBUS’s foundation. We are familyowned and run.
SUBC: As a company with clients nationwide, what is your "special" approach to safe and efficient service to restore power? BBUS: Being reliable, safe, and providing quality work are our core values. To assure these values are being exercised, communication is the key. With each project, BBUS understands what is expected of us and we in turn communicate this clearly to our employees. We ensure each employee understands their tasks as well as involve ourselves in the ever-changing
safety aspect of our trade. We lead by example when it comes to safety education, so our employees live it as we do, safely servicing clients nationwide. SUBC: Is there a storm/situation that was especially challenging that you can mention and what was your approach to a safe and efficient solution for this challenge? BBUS: Hurricane IDA was challenging for our employees and management staff. After the devastation hit Louisiana, BBUS was assigned the Tickfaw area to restore power. No power, hotels, or restaurants were available in the surrounding areas. Our team banded together during those 21 days and found food and essentials during that time. We had to ensure our team received the appropriate rest and meals while maintaining a safe and productive work environment. And in the midst of those 21 days, Darrell and I tested positive for COVID-19, so we had to quarantine while making sure the project was completed and our employees were cared for. At the end of the 21 days, BBUS completed the task, over 100,000 customers’ power was restored, there were no accidents or injuries, and every employee made it home safely. SUBC: Long- and short-term goals? BBUS: Long-term, BBUS desires to build one of the largest diverse utility companies in the industry. Short-term, we aim to bring more diversity and open the door to our inner-city youth, which will spark an interest in our trade. We are dedicated to seeing our youth and the community succeed as a whole, and are hopeful that BBUS will contribute to the growth and betterment of areas and individuals in need. SUBC: Any certifications or memberships that you want to mention? BBUS: Darrell and I are both members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). BBUS is a member of the Tri-County Black Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC). Our company is also certified as a HUB, SBE, BOBE, and WSBE.
The safety measures, supervision, and staff are extremely helpful and on time. They made me feel like my safety was always the first priority. —Ahmad M.
Client Testimonial BBUS is family-owned and faith sits at the center of their success and future dreams, with Genesis 1:3 as one of the Provo’s favorite Scriptures which reads, “Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” You can find Brothers & Brothers Utility Services LLC on the web at www.bbusutilities.com. For more information, please call 1-888-958-5463 or email info@bbusutilities.com. Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
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PERMITS
Contractors: Why You Must Read the State of the Construction Industry Article By Helen Callier Contributing Writer
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id you read the industry article about the state of construction in the Subcontractors USA February 2022 issue? If you did not, you can still find this article online on pages 16 and 17 as it relays construction industry stats that can be useful for you to plan, develop, and grow your business in 2022 and in the next 5 to 10 years. What stood out the most to me from this article is by 2030, the global revenue in the construction industry is expected to double. So, that is basically in 7 plus years. And in the US, the size of the market is expected to reach $14.4 trillion in revenue by 2030. This is twice the size of the market in 2020, which was $6.4 trillion in revenue. 2030 is right around the corner and the good news is you can use this data to position your contracting company to take advantage of this future growth opportunity. Do you have the right technology that will scale to meet market demands? Are you training your future talent or have an apprenticeship program to address continued labor shortages? And don’t forget your building permits. Without processes in your preconstruction phase to pull the proper permits, you will be standing flat-footed in the game and growth may pass your company by. To assist, below are 4 building permitting tips to posi-
tion your company for growth this year and onto 2030. • Stay abreast of the latest changes in building codes by attending industry association training. • Monitor on a regular basis your local jurisdiction’s website on the direction and timing of implementing new ordinances affecting building codes. Also, track the jurisdiction's look-ahead to permit process-related projects that are in the planning phase. • Be cautious of using and solely relying on AI-driven tools to complete forms as this technology continues to improve. Also, missing or inputting incorrect information on a permit application will cause delays in permitting. • Use building code and permitting experts for insights, also partnering with them to save time and money. The data shown in the article on the state of construction indicates opportunities to grow your contracting business. Using this kind of data helps in minimizing risks associated with high material costs and supply chain issues, mitigating labor shortages plus planning related to obtaining building permits where resources like PermitUsNow are ready to assist. At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner
clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love - building your customers’ dreams. Call the PermitUsNow team at 1.844.PERMIT.4. Visit us on the web at permitusnow.com. #BuildCustomersDreams #BuildSafe
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SAFETY
US Department of Labor To Hold Public Meeting To Provide Overview Of OSHA Initiatives To Protect Workers From
Heat Hazards By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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he U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration held a stakeholder meeting on May 3, 2022, to provide an overview of and seek comments on the agency's ongoing efforts to protect workers from heat-related hazards. As part of the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to workplace safety, OSHA is working to address the threat of heat, the leading cause of death among all weather-related workplace hazards. OSHA's efforts to address heat-related hazards include the agency's Heat Illness Prevention Campaign, compliance assistance, and enforcement activities. During the meeting, the process of federal rulemaking and ways for the public to participate in the process were discussed. Individuals who were unable to attend and those who prefer to submit written comments must do so by Aug. 1, 2022, at www.regulations. gov, and cite Docket No. OSHA-2022-0006. Visit the Heat Forum Public Stakeholder page for more details. Workers in outdoor and indoor work settings without adequate climate-controlled environments risk hazardous heat exposure. Statistics show workers of color are exposed disproportionately to hazardous levels of heat in essential jobs in these work settings.
OSHA recently launched a National Emphasis Program to protect millions of workers from heat illness and injuries. Through the program, OSHA will conduct heat-related workplace inspections before workers suffer completely preventable injuries, illnesses, or, even worse, fatalities. Learn more about working in outdoor and indoor heat environments. Source: www.OSHA.gov
SAFETY
Secretary Marty Walsh Issues Statement Remembering Fallen Workers, Reaffirming Commitment to
Worker Safety on Workers Memorial Day By Subcontractors USA News Provider
S
ecretary of Labor Marty Walsh recently issued the following statement on Workers Memorial Day as the nation remembers those whose work claimed their lives: "In the past year, nearly 5,000 workers left home for work and did not return. None knew that going to work would cost them their lives. While each life lost is a tragedy, those taken in incidents that might have been prevented – had their employers followed required safety and health standards – are especially painful for their families, their co-workers and
friends, and their communities. Today, we join the families of those workers we have lost on Workers Memorial Day to remember them, reflect on the difference they made in our lives and recognize the high cost of failing to adhere to workplace safety and health regulations. Amid the losses of thousands of workers each year – 13 people a day on average – we have also endured the heightened risks brought by the coronavirus pandemic for more than two years. Many workers suffered fatal exposure to COVID-19 as they worked to care for our health, protect our safety and feed our families. While we have made much progress
economy continues its recovery, we are determined to empower workers as well so they can recognize the hazards around them, and demand their rights to a safe workplace without fear of retaliation. On Workers Memorial Day, we honor the fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters whose lives ended tragically and, in their memory recommit ourselves to our belief that no worker should ever have to trade their life for a paycheck." toward safer workplaces, we must do more to ensure that employers understand and take responsibility for addressing workplace hazards and keeping them from causing workplace fatalities. As our
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Source: www.OSHA.gov
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IT & TECHNOLOGY
MAC Safety Consultants' Research Finds Vita Inclinata's Vita Load Navigator Reduces Construction Fatalities by
75% and Overall Accidents by 63% risk of crane-related injury or death. Based upon statistical averages:
By Subcontractors USA News Provider
V
ita Inclinata (Vita), developer and producer of helicopter and crane load stabilization and precision hardware, today revealed the results of Mac Safety Consultants' analysis on how the Vita Load Navigator (VLN) system can decrease construction site accidents and fatalities associated with lifting and spinning loads hoisted by cranes. The dramatic survey results quantified the VLN's impact as a 75% fatality risk reduction, and a 63.1% overall accident reduction from spinning loads. The VLN is a remotely-operated, suspended load system that allows crane operation crews the precision control to orient their lifts without being in the critical path of the load. The system dynamically adjusts to load sizes, crane movement, and wind conditions, allowing high-precision lifts in the most challenging environments. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), there are an estimated 225,000 cranes in operation in the United States on any given day. These cranes move an average of 2.4 million picks ("loads") per day, exposing approximately 250,000 crane operators, load riggers, and other site workers to a daily
• 25.4% of the crane accidents in the United States are due to personnel being struck or caught by spinning crane loads. • 1 in 9,000 cranes will cause a fatality each year. • A single injury will cost $200,000. • A single fatality will cost $4,000,000. • Annual costs to the industry from fatalities alone approach $100 Million dollars.
Additionally, the VLN improves load management efficiency, speeding up operations that leads to increased crane productivity, by enabling 30% more loads to be lifted each day. "Using VLN's remote, precision control technology, construction companies can remove workers from the danger zone when cranes are lift-
ing heavy loads—significantly mitigating accidents," said Caleb Carr, CEO, Vita. "We are proud to see the profound impact on construction-worker safety that the Mac Safety Consultants' research has revealed." Vita Inclinata was founded on the belief that lack of technology should never be the difference between life and death for rescue crews, crane operators, and patients. Vita's mission of "Building technology that brings people home–every time!" drives it to do everything possible to save human lives. It achieves that by creating innovative load stabilization technology, providing safer tools to prevent occupational injuries, and making a positive impact on the workers, families, and patients in said industries.
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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Source: Vita Inclinata
May 2022 | 25
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IT & TECHNOLOGY
Well-prepared to Build an Intelligent World Innodisk AIoT Solutions Target EV and Smart City By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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nnodisk, a leading global provider of industrial flash and memory solutions, reflects on its AIoT wins of last year and outlook for 2022. Even now, in 2022, AIoT is still a buzz that's impossible for business leaders to ignore however many are still not exactly sure how the pieces of the AIoT puzzle fit together or where to start. But the business proposition is clear, with 39.1% annual growth expected over the next five years. To seize the opportunities in the AIoT market, in 2021, Innodisk joined
up with its subsidiaries to form an AIoT data-centric ecosystem called the "AIoT All-Round Service" that combines their expertise to provide a full-service industrial AIoT package. After a year, Innodisk's recent experience confirms this market trend, with AIoT-related projects doubling each year. A deeper look reveals the primary focus lies in 5G, networking, infrastructure, and automation fields. Especially with the high-performance industrial-grade storage, memory, and embedded peripherals, as well as software, Innodisk is now going one step further, integrating these into AIoT technology solutions that withstand heavy vibrations and harsh outdoor environments, such as AI robots and electric vehicles. AI robots have secured their place as the hands-free delivery method of choice in hotels, hospitals, and airports during the pandemic. These electronic helpers meet contact and social distancing prerogatives while reducing personnel workloads. Innodisk worked together with a hi-technology venture in the smart services sectors to integrate its customized SSDs into their
AI robots, ensuring reliable operation. Electric vehicles place a large strain on electronics, with vibrations and heat exceeding the thresholds of standard equipment. A multinational technology company used Innodisk's wide temperature DRAM modules, industrial-grade flash storage, and its subsidiary Antzer's GPS Tracker for their EV truck. As a result, their retail delivery system benefited from the AI technology while reducing pollutant and noise emissions. Eric Chang, Special Assistant of Innodisk, said, "We're confident that the increase in AIoT applications will continue thriving through 2022, especially for electric vehicles and smart city applications." He further added,
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"Electric vehicles like buses, trucks, logistics, and fleet management will all see growth. Smart cities are also in focus as more countries invest in technology construction to harness AIoT and smart cities, including intelligent street lamps and surveillance systems." Innodisk is well-prepared for these technological advancements and has set a goal to "Build an Intelligent World". Source: Innodisk Corporation
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TRANSPORTATION
Austin Transportation News Topics include:
By Subcontractors USA News Provider
Developer-focused Webinars To Discuss Street Impact Fee Implementation
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he Austin Transportation Department is hosting a series of meetings in the coming months, ahead of the implementation of Austin's Street Impact Fee (SIF) program. The fee, which will begin collection on June 22, 2022, will be required for most new development in the city. Austin City Council adopted the Street Impact Fee in December 2020 to fund transportation infrastructure improvements in 17 defined Service Areas. The amount of the fee will vary based on the type of zoning and any increased entitlements or development intensity. The webinars, held via Zoom, will vary based on the type of developer. Both sessions focused on small-scale developers will include the same rundown of content and will be held simultaneously in English and Spanish. The webinar for large-scale developers will only be held in English.
Small-Scale Developers Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 1 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2022, 1 p.m. Large-Scale Developers Thursday, May 19, 2022, 10 a.m.
• What is a SIF, and why is the City of Austin collecting the fee? • What other communities have a SIF program and are collecting fees? • Website information for small developers • How will the fee be used? • Who will have to pay the fee? • How is the fee calculated, and can I estimate the fee myself? • When and how will the fee be collected (In what stage of the permit process) • What forms of payment will the City accept?
To learn more and to register, visit AustinTexas.gov/StreetImpactFee or email StreetImpactFee@AustinTexas.gov. Source: www.austintexas.gov
Austin Transit Partnership Begins Search for New Executive Director
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he Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), the agency tasked with overseeing Project Connect, has started a search for a new leader. Randy Clarke, the president, and CEO of CapMetro, had served as the executive director of the organization since its inception. The Project Connect Joint Powers Agreement, the document that lays out the responsibilities of the City of Austin, CapMetro, and the ATP, outlined a process for the leadership position to transition. As the ATP searches for new leadership, it has named
Greg Canally as executive director in an interim role. Canally was formerly the chief financial officer and chief development officer for the organization.
Work Begins on Smart Mobility Hub in Georgian Acres Neighborhood
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onstruction began March 28 on the new Smart Mobility Hub in the Georgian Acres neighborhood of Northeast Austin. The pilot project is a part of the National Science Foundation's Civic Innovation Challenge and a collaboration between the University of Texas, Austin Transportation, and Jail to Jobs, a nonprofit that provides job training and character development for youth ex-offenders. One of the goals of the pilot project is to increase access to mobility options like scooters, ebikes, and a free neighborhood shuttle in a part of the city that previously lacked access to these services. On April 2, partners in the project hosted an event at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center to help community members learn how to ride a dockless scooter safely and provide information on the Smart Mobility Hub and neighborhood shuttle services. The first round of construction to build the mobility hub began along East Wonsley Drive and will be completed in a few weeks, after which temporary furniture and equipment will be installed. You can learn more about the project at http://sites.utexas.edu/nsf-civic/.
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Source: www.austintexas.gov
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