Subcontractors USA 77

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TEXAS JOURNAL

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Architecture | Construction | Education | Energy | Engineering | Legal | Technology | Manufacturing | Oil and Gas | Safety | Transportation

August 2022 | Advertising for Certified Women, Veteran & Minority-Owned Subcontractors | 77th Edition

Tellepsen Announces Partnership With Texas Southern University FROM LEFT TO RIGTH: Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, Texas Southern University - President; Tadd Tellepsen Tellepsen Builders, President/CEO

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INSIDE

22

08

Construction Input Costs Jump 1.1 Percent From May to June, Adding to Pressure on Contractors Despite Recent Decline in Some Materials Prices

28

Houston Ship Channel Billion Dollar Expansion Starts

No One Will Tell You About the Permitting “Have You Thought About” Questions Relayed During the Subcontractors’ USA 2022 Industry Awards Luncheon

2 | August 2022

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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 Tellepsen and Texas Southern University (TSU).

To help drive more diversity in the construction industry, Tellepsen and TSU have formed a new partnership agreement focused on positively impacting the success of TSU students who are focused on career pathways in the construction industry.

The agreement is a multifaceted five-year strategic partnership between Tellepsen and TSU. It is designed to support the entire

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BEHIND THE JOURNAL

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Erick Fontejon OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Bria Casteel SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR Lindsey Ford ASSISTANT SALES REPRESENTATIVE Tiffany Brown PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter L.C. Poullard DISTRIBUTION Mike Jones CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dana C. Sotoodeh Helen Callier Subcontractors USA

“D&I needs to be something that every single employee at the company has a stake in.”

—Bo Young Lee, Uber’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

City of Houston

HISD

16-17 COVER STORY 16-17 Tellepsen Announces Partnership With Texas Southern University 16-17 04 ARCHITECTURE 04 Architecture Jobs Outlook: Here's What To Expect In Coming Years 06 CONSTRUCTION 06 Construction Employment in June Continues To Lag PrePandemic Level in 18 States as Lack of Qualified Workers Holds Down Hiring 08 Construction Input Costs Jump 1.1 Percent From May to June, Adding to Pressure on Contractors Despite Recent Decline in Some Materials Prices 09 When It Comes to New Construction, Texas Is One of the Fastest-growing States, Home to Four of the Top 10 US Equipment Rental Markets 10 ENERGY 10 CPS Energy Partnership Leads to 10 Years of Solar Power Growth Plus Benefits 12 Doing Business With NRG 13 IT & TECHNOLOGY 13 Hilti Opens Up Its ON! Track Tool Tracking App To Help Enable Contractors To Manage More Than Jobsite Assets

14 New Bluetooth® LE Wireless MCUs Make High-Quality RF and Power Performance More Affordable 18 New Processors Make Edge AI More Accessible While Cutting Power Consumption in Half 18 OIL AND GAS 18 Back to Work: US O&G Employment To Recover in 2022, Reaching Pre-Pandemic Levels in Five Years 22 PERMITS 22 No One Will Tell You About the Permitting “Have You Thought About” Questions Relayed During the Subcontractors’ USA 2022 Industry Awards Luncheon 24 SAFETY 24 A Message From OSHA Heat Illness Prevention 24 Recognize Safe + Sound Week 2022: August 15-21, 2022 26 TRANSPORTATION 26 METRONext Moving Forward Plan 28 Houston Ship Channel Billion Dollar Expansion Starts 29 Funding for VIA’s Advanced Rapid Transit Recommended in President’s Budget

HUB

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OUR SERVICES

CONTENTS

PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. CHIEF OF STAFF & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd

student experience in four distinct areas: experts in action, facilities and equipment, internships, and student financial support.

Tellepsen and TSU working together will open doors for the next generation and underrepresented to succeed in their respective careers in the construction industry.

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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ARCHITECTURE

Architecture Jobs Outlook:

Here's What To Expect In Coming Years What is the job outlook for an architect?

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

hrough the year 2029, the architecture jobs' outlook and that of related fields is mixed. Some jobs are expected to grow, while others will likely contract. The improvement of technology for specific tasks has reduced the number of employees required for those aspects of the design and construction process. For other jobs, the field was affected by the economic downturn of 2008 and 2009 but is rebounding and creating new opportunities. People considering a career in architecture should consider which area they wish to pursue and choose specialized training to take them down that path.

many related occupations that may be more or less in demand. Geography also plays a role in the architect unemployment rate.

Whatare aresome somearchitecture architecturejobs jobsand andwhat whatis What is the career outlook each? the career outlook for for each?

Many people who work in architecture may have other titles and work in related areas. Architecture professionals perform many functions within all levels of government, in the real estate world, and in the sustainable construction industry. Here are a few possible architecture job prospects for those with a background in architecture and the projected outlook for those jobs.

Landscapearchitects architects Landscape Average Base Pay: $55,167 per year Landscape architects design outdoor spaces, such as playgrounds and parks. The role of a landscape architect is very similar to that of one who designs buildings. Many of these professionals work for governments, but many work in private sector firms as well. Due to advances in technology, the job growth outlook for landscape architects is expected to decline by about 2% between 2019 and 2029.

Constructionand andbuilding buildinginspectors inspectors Construction Average Base Pay: $54,616 per year Construction and building inspectors evaluate projects for compliance with building codes and other local requirements and specifications. Like civil engineers, they often work for government agencies, but they may also work for consultant firms. The job growth outlook for construction and building inspectors between 2019 and 2029 is 3%, which tracks with the average growth rate in other fields.

Constructionmanagers managers Construction Average Base Pay: $74,730 per year Construction managers are responsible for supervising every aspect of building projects, including budgets, timelines, and labor. They work in many industries and for consulting firms. The job growth outlook for construction managers between 2019 and 2029 is 8%, much faster than the average growth rate for other occupations.

Cost Costestimators estimators Average Base Pay: $56,571 per year Cost estimators gather information and project how much a given construction project will cost, how long it will take, what materials will be needed, and what human resources will be necessary. These professionals work for private companies, financial firms, and other entities within the construction industry. The job growth outlook for cost estimators between 2019 and 2029 shows a slight decrease, mainly due to advances in technology that have reduced the number of employees necessary.

Whatisisthe theaverage averagesalary salaryfor forarchitects? architects?

What

Drafters Drafters

The average base pay for architects in the United States is $86,500 as of March 2021. The salary that an architect earns varies by geography, years of experience, and level of education. Paid internships in architecture pay an average of $27,000 per year. Starting salaries for newly licensed professionals average around $60,000 per year, while experienced professionals in management roles can exceed $160,000 annually in large markets.

Average Base Pay: $55,567 per year Drafters convert designs to technical drawings. These professionals may work in any organization that employs architects and engineers, as they are often partnered together on projects. The job growth outlook for drafters between 2019 and 2029 is expected to decline by 4%. This fall-off is a result of software advances that reduce the number of drafters companies keep on staff.

Arearchitects architectsininhigh highdemand? demand?

Are

Interiordesigners designers Interior

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the demand for architects to grow by 1% between 2019 and 2029. Architect job growth is somewhat slower than other fields, but it’s still growing in a positive direction. One reason for the slow-down from the prior years is that the computer-aided design tools available make modern architects more efficient and productive, so fewer people are necessary to get the work done. It’s important to note that this architecture jobs outlook is specific to the job market for architects, but there are

Average Base Pay: $50,224 per year Interior designers create indoor spaces in the same way architects create buildings. They factor in the area’s planned uses, the safety needs, and the appearance that the client is looking to achieve to determine square footage requirements and related requirements. Interior designers work for architectural firms, design houses, and similar organizations. The job growth outlook for interior designers between 2019 and 2029 is expected to decline by 5% due to technology improvements.

Real Realestate estatedevelopers developers Average Base Pay: $125,255 per year Real estate developers use their knowledge of the land, construction principles, and engineering to lay out commercial and residential projects. The professionals are often selfemployed, but they may work for large corporations with holdings in multiple areas of the country. The job growth outlook for real estate developers between 2019 and 2029 is expected to remain flat.

Restorationarchitects architects Restoration Average Base Pay: $72,694 per year Restoration architects, sometimes called restoration planners or restoration managers, specialize in restoring and preserving historic buildings and other structures. They have specialized skills and knowledge in construction materials and how to keep them from wearing away over time, as well as how to restore them when they begin to erode or break down. Many are self-employed, but some work for design and architectural firms. The job growth outlook for restoration architects between 2019 and 2020 is expected to remain flat.

Urbanand andregional regionalplanners planners Urban Average Base Pay: $57,490 per year Urban and regional planners evaluate plots of land to make sure they are a good fit for planned development. They consider trends in population growth and community development.

Planners also participate in plans for building renovations and re-purposing. They work for governments, engineering and architectural firms, and consulting groups. The job growth outlook for urban and regional planners between 2019 and 2029 is expected to grow significantly, by as much as 11%, driven by changing demographics and the need for innovation in land and building usage.

The architecture jobs outlook is growing more competitive as computer technology makes it possible for fewer people to manage the workload. However, the employment rate for architects still shows an overall positive growth rate.

For more, visit glassdoor.com.

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For Upcoming Contracting and Networking Opportunities visit https://VIA.diversitycompliance.com The scope of contracting opportunities encompasses a wide variety of projects and services, including, but not limited to: • • • • •

Architecture Engineering Construction Facilities & Maintenance Goods & Services

Procurement Division 800 W. Myrtle San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 362-2400 Office of Diversity & Federal Compliance 800 W. Myrtle San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 362-2074 | ODFC@viainfo.net Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

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CONSTRUCTION

Construction Employment

in June Continues To Lag Pre-Pandemic Level in 18 States as Lack of Qualified Workers Holds Down Hiring

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

C

onstruction employment in June continued to trail pre-pandemic levels in more than one-third of the states despite record job openings, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America recently.

Association officials called on government officials to allow employers to sponsor more foreign-born workers and support more career and technical education to broaden opportunities for workers to gain construction skills.

“Construction employment has stalled in many states, even though contractors have plenty of projects needing more employees, due to a dearth of qualified workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Only half the states had an increase in construction employment last month.”

Construction employment in June lagged the total in February 2020—the month before the coronavirus pandemic caused huge job losses—in 18 states and the District of Columbia. The biggest gap was in New York (-36,300 jobs, -8.9

percent), followed by Pennsylvania (-9,500 jobs, -3.6 percent) and New Jersey (-8,800 jobs, -5.4 percent). New York had the largest percentage shortfall, followed by North Dakota (-6.4 percent, -1,800 jobs) and Hawaii (-5.8 percent, -2,200 jobs).

June employment topped the February 2020 level in 31 states and matched it in West Virginia. Utah added the most (16,100 jobs, 14.1 percent), followed by Tennessee (15,900 jobs, 12.0 percent) and Washington (11,200 jobs, 5.0 percent). The top percentage gains were in Utah, Idaho (12.9 percent, 7,100 jobs), and Tennessee.

In June, 25 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs, 23 states lost jobs, and there was no change in Hawaii and West Virginia. Pennsylvania added the most construction jobs over the month (4,400 jobs, 1.7 percent), followed

by Massachusetts (3,300 jobs, 1.9 percent) and North Carolina (3,000 jobs, 1.2 percent). Oregon had the largest percentage gain (2.4 percent, 2,800 jobs), followed

by Nebraska (2.3 percent, 1,300 jobs) and Arkansas (2.1 percent, 1,100 jobs).

California lost the most construction jobs in June (-6,100 jobs, -0.7 percent), followed by Texas (-3,000 jobs, -0.4 percent) and Florida (-2,400 jobs, -0.4

percent). Connecticut had the largest percentage loss (-2.9 percent, -1,800 jobs), followed by Wyoming (-2.2 percent, -500 jobs) and New Jersey (-1.4 percent, -2,200 jobs).

Association officials said demand for construction remains strong, particularly for infrastructure, manufacturing plants, and power and energy projects.

They warned that projects will face increasing delays unless the pool of workers expands.

“The quickest way to ensure a sufficient worker supply is to allow employers to sponsor qualified, foreign-born workers,” said Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “In addition, all levels of government must invest more in career and technical education and training to widen the opportunities for individuals to qualify for rewarding, well-paying construction jobs.”

For more information, visit agc.org.

Source: Associated General Contractors of America

Introducing: Opportunity Our Business Equity Division provides resources to small, minority- and woman-owned businesses seeking to participate in Port Houston procurements.

Learn more about how we can help support your business at www.porthouston.com/businessequity

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CONSTRUCTION

Construction Input Costs Jump 1.1 Percent From May to June, Adding to Pressure on Contractors Despite Recent Decline in Some Materials Prices

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction jumped 1.1 percent last month, outpacing the rise in contractors’ bid prices, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released recently. Association officials warned that rising materials prices were having an adverse impact on a growing number of construction projects that have suddenly become more expensive.

“Some materials prices have fallen recently but others appear headed for further increases,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Since these prices were collected, producers of gypsum, concrete and other products have announced or implemented new increases. In addition, the supply chain remains fragile and persistent difficulties filling job openings mean construction costs are likely to remain elevated despite declines in some prices.”

The producer price index for inputs to nonresidential construction--the prices charged by goods producers and service providers such as distributors and transportation firms—jumped 1.1 percent from May to June and 16.8 percent since June 2021. Meanwhile, the index for new nonresidential building construction—a measure of what contractors calculate they would charge to erect five types of nonresidential buildings— climbed by 0.5 percent from May to June and 19.8 percent over 12 months.

A diverse mix of inputs accounted for the increase in the cost index even as prices for several metal and wood products declined, the economist added. The price index for diesel fuel soared 14.1 percent in June and more than doubled over 12 months, rising 111.1 percent since June 2021. The index for asphalt and tar roofing and

siding products rose 3.2 percent in June and 22.2 percent over 12 months. The index for plastic construction products rose 1.5 percent for the month and 27.0 percent since June 2021. Insulation materials climbed 1.2 percent in price last month and 16.0 percent year-over-year.

The index for concrete products rose 1.7 percent in June and 13.5 percent over 12 months. The index for paving mixtures and blocks increased 2.9 percent in June and 17.9 percent over the past year.

These increases more than offset declines in indexes for metals and lumber.

There were one-month decreases in June in the index for copper and brass mill shapes, -1.6 percent; steel mill products, -1.8 percent; aluminum mill shapes, -5.2 percent; and lumber and plywood, -14.7 percent.

Association officials said public officials had a vested interest in taking steps to address rising materials prices, noting those price increases are making it more expensive to build all manner of public infrastructure projects. They urged the Biden administration to remove remaining tariffs on a range of construction materials and for public officials at all levels to take steps to help unclog backed-up supply chains.

“The more materials prices increase, the harder it will be for public officials to build new schools, roads, and other infrastructure,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Taking steps to address rising materials prices will help construction employers and taxpayers alike.”

For more information, visit agc.org.

Source: Associated General Contractors of America

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CONSTRUCTION

When It Comes to New Construction, Texas Is One of the Fastest-growing States, Home to Four of the Top 10 US Equipment Rental Markets

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Q

uipli, a leading equipment rental software company that caters to independent rental companies throughout the US, recently conducted a research study to find out where the hottest locations are in the US for equipment rentals.

Using keyword search data, Quipli pinpointed the regions with the most local Google searches looking to rent construction equipment – an indicator of where the biggest markets are right now.

Over 35,000 search keywords were included in Quipli's analysis, a robust dataset with significant sample size.

The top market for equipment rental search in the US is Houston, TX. Miami, Austin, San Antonio, and Las Vegas round out the top 5 equipment rental markets in the US. "Understanding the importance of how local search behavior ties into equipment rentals is essential for rental companies aiming to succeed in their market, especially as the rental industry continues to move online. We hope this study shines light on how important it is for equipment rental companies to focus on their online visibility, as well as reveal overlooked mar-

kets for small business owners looking to branch out," said Kyle Clements, founder and CEO of Quipli.

TheResults: Results:The TheTop TopEquipment Equipment The RentalMarkets Marketsininthe theUS US Rental Using monthly Google searches for construction equipment rentals, Quipli determined that the following cities are the top 25 hottest markets for online equipment rental in the US right now:

Ranking / City / Monthly Equipment Searches 1) Houston, TX: 3710 2) Miami, FL: 2810 3) Austin, TX: 2130 4) San Antonio, TX: 2080 5) Las Vegas, NV: 1690

6) Dallas, TX: 1480 7) San Diego, CA: 1390 8) Phoenix, AZ: 1370 9) Chicago, IL: 1320 10) Los Angeles, CA: 1300 11) Denver, CO: 1250 12) Portland, OR: 1180 13) Cincinnati, OH: 1020 14) Sacramento, CA: 1010 15) Columbus, OH: 960 16) Seattle, WA: 950 17) Indianapolis, IN: 940 18) Colorado Springs, CO: 930 19) Atlanta, GA: 900 20) Wichita, KS: 870 21) Charlotte, NC: 830 22) Jacksonville, FL: 810 23) Mesa, AZ: 740 24) Omaha, NE: 737 25) Orlando, FL: 734

When it comes to new construction, Texas is one of the fastest-growing states, home to four of the top 10 US equipment rental markets.

If you're starting an equipment rental business or expanding to new locations, these 25 cities are the largest markets to be in.

Methodology Methodology Using a tool called Keywords Everywhere – a popular browser extension that

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provides Google Keyword Search Volume Data – Quipli was able to compile a list of over 35,000 keywords related to equipment rentals.

This data was then grouped by city, to get a metric indicating total demand.

HowDo DoPeople PeopleSearch Searchfor for How Equipment Rentals?

Equipment Rentals?

Quipli found a series of common keyword variations that people search for when looking for local equipment rental companies.

Themost most common common iterations iterations were: The were: • [keyword] rental [city state].

Example: forklift rental Denver colorado • [city] [keyword] rental.

Example: Denver forklift rental • Rent [keyword] [city]. Example: rent forklift Denver Using 22 of the most common equipment rental products, Quipli evaluated these iterations for specific products in major US cities with populations of 50,000 or more.

Full the full report, visit www.quipli.com.

Source: Quipli

10 | August 2022

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

ENERGY

CPS Energy Partnership Leads

to 10 Years of Solar Power Growth Plus Benefits

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Y

ou don’t need to be an expert in energy to know that solar power is here to stay. A major signifier of that happens to be right here in San Antonio—a top solar city in the nation. OCI Solar Power, one of the largest solar energy developers in Texas, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in San Antonio. CPS Energy leaders were excited to partake in the festivities, as our partnership with OCI Solar Power has led to the development of 500 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable, and reliable solar projects in San Antonio and throughout Texas. That’s enough to power 100,000 homes.

OCI Solar Power and its companies, including Mission Solar Energy and Sun Action Trackers, quickly became valuable partners when they arrived in San Antonio. The waves of innovation and technology that came from OCI Solar Power have made a significant impact on the city’s local economy and the development and growth of renewable energy here. Today, OCI Solar Power and Mission Solar Energy provide nearly 200 full-time jobs to members of our community right here in the Alamo City.

The anniversary celebration, held in the

International Center, combined both the beautiful Korean and Mexican cultures and featured traditional Korean dance and drum performances as well as a mariachi group. Members of the OCI Solar Power executive team as well as Vice Chairman of OCI Company addressed local dignitaries, members of partner organizations, and others who showed up for the 10-year luncheon.

Rudy Garza, Interim President & CEO at CPS Energy, congratulated OCI Solar

Power and CPS Energy staff that first worked together to launch the partnership a decade ago.

“On behalf of my team I want to congratulate you on your success and our collective success together, especially this amazing partnership that we’ve developed,” said Garza. “This was the firstof-its-kind purchase power agreement and economic development agreement combined. Today, because of this strategic partnership with OCI Solar Power,

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San Antonio is a recognized Solar Superstar—number one in the state of Texas and number five in the nation for solar capacity. You know we have a goal to be number one and we’re going to keep driving towards that.”

The road to more clean energy for our community brings with it lots of opportunity. OCI Solar Power announced a new $500,000 partnership with St. Philip’s College and Project Quest to train job seekers for roles in the solar industry.

That comes on the heels of CPS Energy’s recently announced agreement with Consolidated Edison Development for 300 MW of new solar energy as part of their FlexPOWER Bundle initiative. The development of the solar farm will lead to 250-300 construction jobs and $500,000 to support CPS Energy’s community priorities, i.e. education and customer assistance, over a 10-year period.

For more information, please visit CPSEnergy.com.

Source: CPS Energy

Final HEB Diversity Red ads.qxp

4/7/08

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At H-E-B, we value our partnerships with women and minority suppliers.

Through their contributions, we better understand the needs of our customers and add to the growth of our company and the communities we serve.

®

For more information on becoming a supplier with H-E-B, visit

www.heb.com

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SUBCONTRACTORS USA

ENERGY

Doing Business With NRG

By Dana C Sotoodeh CPS Energy Contributor

N

RG has a passion for innovation, is deeply committed to its customers, and is setting the standard for energy providers across the nation.

Living up to this commitment requires a diverse network of partners so that they can share in continued success.

Potential suppliers are invited to register in NRG’s Supplier Portal, view their Supplier Code of Conduct, and receive information on their supplier diversity program.

Also, read through NRG’s General Terms and Conditions for purchase including their Payment Terms options.

NRG believes supplier diversity is an important part of supply chain excellence, so they encourage all their suppliers to develop relationships with diverse suppliers.

Registration in NRG’s Supplier Portal allows both current and potential suppliers to provide up-to-date information about their companies. Current suppliers are encouraged to reference NRG Invoicing Instructions in order to facilitate payment for services and materials.

NRG'sMission Mission NRG's At NRG, its mission is to establish an effective supplier diversity process that is integrated into the fabric of the organization and creates value for NRG and its customers by promoting viable opportunities that build strategic relationships with qualified suppliers.

NRG'sApproach Approach NRG's Supplier diversity is a proactive initiative that results in a business process designed to include diverse suppliers

(small, minority, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises) in their sourcing and procurement processes, ensuring that their supply chain is reflective of the areas where they serve and operate. NRG realizes the importance of a diverse supply chain that includes minorities, women, and small businesses. They are committed to the inclusion of diverse suppliers in their procurement process.

Questions&&Answers Answers for for Potential Potential Suppliers Questions Suppliers How do I know if I should register as a potential supplier with NRG? A description of NRG can be found on the homepage of the website. You may also refer to the What We Buy guide to help you decide if your company's products or services are purchased by NRG. What do I do after I have registered with NRG? By submitting your company's information through NRG’s online supplier portal, you will increase your visibility as a potential supplier. The portal is NRG's primary contact relationship management tool used to identify new and existing suppliers.

Once you register online, the next step in the process does not require any action on your part. NRG will contact you if you meet the criteria to participate in an upcoming sourcing opportunity for your commodity or service area.

How can we meet with a representative of NRG? As you can imagine, NRG gets requests for meetings from hundreds of suppliers. In order to manage the workload and keep their sourcing process fair, they

ask that you meet one of their supplier diversity team members and company advocates at the trade fairs and networking events they attend through local chambers of commerce and councils of the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC) and Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and the Small Business Administration.

NRG does not post its procurement opportunities as they frequently change. The best way to ensure an opportunity to work with NRG is by keeping your company supplier profile up-to-date in their supplier registration portal. This portal is NRG’s resource to identify new and existing diverse suppliers.

Do I have to be certified as a small, minority, or woman-owned business enterprise to do business with NRG? Certification is not a condition of doing business with NRG – in other words, a minority, woman, or small business owner does not have to be certified in order to do business with NRG. However, firms must be certified to receive assistance and referrals or to be recognized as part of NRG's Supplier Diversity Program.

For additional information about supplier diversity at NRG, please email SupplierDiversity@nrg.com.

For more information on NRG, please visit nrg.com.

IAH Parking Count Guidance System

market sectors

services

• • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • •

aviation CIVIL commercial corrections education entertainment healthcare historic renovations hospitality/casinos military municipal transportation

pre-construction construCtion management program management design-build general contracting SPECIALTY CONTRACTING

IAH MLIT

www.azteca-omega.com | Houston MBE - HIRE HOUSTON FIRST 3340-C Greens Road, Suite 900 | Houston TX 77032 | 281-205-0919

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Source: NRG

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IT & TECHNOLOGY

Hilti Opens Up Its ON! Track Tool Tracking App To Help Enable Contractors To Manage More Than Jobsite Assets

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

H

ilti North America, an innovator of tools, technology, software, and services to the commercial construction industry is leading a fundamental shift in how customers run their businesses with the launch of ON!Track Unite, a new open Application Programming Interface (API) for software integration. The platform transforms what is often complex and manual-based into a seamless digital experience, unifying data from multiple sources, increasing data quality and consistency, and automating processes involving ON!Track Tool Tracking and Asset Management and other software.

In 2015, Hilti launched construction asset management solution ON!Track to help solve problems related to managing assets, services, workers, and safety certifications.

The company is building on the software with the release of ON!Track Unite, an add-on which makes using ON!Track even more efficient and unified. The open API facilitates a seamless exchange of data between ON!Track and other applications construction professionals use to run their businesses.

The platform is designed to support two main integration scenarios. Customers can use off-the-shelf integrations available on the marketplace or create their own integrations by leveraging the ON!Track Unite open API. Developers can rely on guidance and modern API documentation on the ON!Track Unite hub to easily build scalable integrations.

Construction software players can offer joint customers a pre-built integration between ON!Track and the application they develop or distribute, which can be listed on the integration marketplace. The marketplace already includes many integrations, including Fieldwire, Trackunit, and Procore. Hilti has plans to offer even more integrations soon.

In recent years, Hilti has made major investments to digitize the construction industry and extend its digital Internet of Things (IoT) portfolio. Today's announcement follows the brand's recent acquisition of the project management software Fieldwire, a partnership with

Trackunit in the heavy equipment telematics space, and the launch of Nuron, an all-new 22-volt cordless platform with built-in connectivity.

"This API-first approach assists in enabling integrations with other applications so that ON!Track Unite can be catered to the exact needs of every customer, providing a unified experience, and unlocking new business value," said Thibaud Lefebvre, Senior Director of Tools Services at Hilti North America. "Customers who utilize the ON!Track Unite platform will experience a step change in how they operate their businesses because it avoids the duplication of manual data entries, helps to correctly allocate asset and consumables costs, and opens the door to increased tool crib transparency. We believe this technology will help our partners make better data-driven decisions and take productivity to new heights."

Fleet customers of Hilti's all-new cordless tool platform, Nuron, can leverage the innovation for a fully connected experience.

The tools generate data which is then stored on the Nuron batteries and sent securely to the cloud during every charge without any operator interaction. The data collected includes information on tool usage, charging location, and battery state of health. Those insights are accessible through ON!Track and will be accessible on the ON!Track Unite open API in the near future.

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"This is what customers expect from Hilti – valuable solutions to help their businesses modernize, which will lead to limitless growth and profitability," said Lefebvre. "We understand data is a critical asset that must be highly prioritized. This launch represents a key piece of the open ecosystem of integrated applications that we are expanding and affirms our commitment to the digital change journey."

Hilti will proactively discuss and offer support services to customers who decide to implement ON!Track Unite.

The platform is available now for U.S. and Canadian customers. The global rollout will continue in 2023.

Hilti supplies the worldwide construction industry with technologically leading products, systems, software, and services that provide construction professionals with innovative solutions and superior added value. In North America, there are more than 3,800 team members who share Hilti's corporate culture based on integrity, teamwork, commitment, and the courage to embrace change. Hilti calls Texas its North American home since relocating its headquarters to Plano in 2015.

To learn more about Hilti, visit www.hilti.com.

Source: Hilti

14 | August 2022

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

IT & TECHNOLOGY

New Bluetooth® LE Wireless MCUs Make High-Quality RF and Power Performance More Affordable

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

exas Instruments (TI) recently expanded its connectivity portfolio with a new family of wireless microcontrollers (MCU) that enable highquality Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) at half the price of competing devices. Featuring best-in-class standby current and radio-frequency (RF) performance, the SimpleLink™ Bluetooth LE CC2340 family is built on the foundation of TI’s decades of wireless connectivity expertise. Pricing for the CC2340 family will start as low as $0.79, making it affordable for engineers to add Bluetooth LE connectivity to more products. For more information, see www.ti.com/cc2340.

"Industrywide, 5 billion Bluetooth® enabled devices are forecast to ship in 2022," said Mark Powell, CEO of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the standards organization that oversees Bluetooth technology. "The commitment and involvement of Bluetooth SIG members like Texas Instruments allow Bluetooth technology to meet the growing demands for enhanced wireless connectivity in a wider range of applications. I am grateful for the contributions of our membership in delivering innovative solutions that benefit the Bluetooth ecosystem and help broaden the adoption of Bluetooth technology."

"The adoption of Bluetooth LE is accelerating and our embedded world demo of the CC2340 family will show you how to quickly and easily add the technology to any application," said Marian Kost, vice president and general manager of Connectivity at Texas Instruments. "The new MCUs

will provide high-quality RF and power performance at an affordable price, backed by unrivaled technical support and internal manufacturing capacity investments that will help meet our customers’ demand for years to come."

devices feature an integrated RF balun to enable a simpler design with fewer external components, leading to cost savings.

Implementhigh-quality high-qualityRF RF Implement andpower powerperformance performanceatatan an and affordableprice price affordable

With the increased memory, longer battery life, and wider temperature range at an affordable price, engineers can enable more connected everyday applications such as: • Medical devices: In glucose meters, for example, the CC2340 MCUs’ standby current of less than 830 nA leads to an end-product shelf life of 18 to 24 months and two weeks of active Bluetooth LE operation on a coin cell battery.

• Building automation: Smart-home hubs can take advantage of the CC2340 MCUs’ wireless protocol support and output power range up to +8 dBm. • Personal care: For products such as an electric toothbrush, the CC2340 wireless MCUs offer low power consumption in sleep mode, and can extend battery life.

The CC2340R2 and CC2340R5 wireless MCUs, offering flash memory of 256KB and 512KB respectively, provide exceptional flexibility for engineers and ample space for application code. Additionally, with the proliferation of Bluetooth LE applications, designers need additional memory capacity to easily update software remotely. The new wireless MCU family features 36KB of RAM with over-the-air download support.

The new MCUs include industry-leading standby current of less than 830 nA, which is 40 percent lower than competing devices.

The reduction in standby current helps extend battery life for up to 10 years on a coin cell battery in wireless applications such as electronic shelf labels and tire pressure monitoring systems. The CC2340 family also features an operating temperature range of –40ºC to 125ºC to help ensure a stable connection across applications, from industrial sensors and medical laboratories to outdoor environments such as EV chargers or smart meters.

Engineers are also able to expand RF performance and connection range with an output power up to +8 dBm, the industry’s highest among competing Bluetooth LE wireless MCUs. In addition, the CC2340

Enablebroader broaderadoption adoptionofof Enable BluetoothLE LEtechnology technology Bluetooth

IntegrateBluetooth Bluetoothinintwo two Integrate minutesor orless less minutes At embedded world this week, visitors to TI’s booth can use the SimpleLink CC2340 LaunchPad™ development kit to establish a Bluetooth LE connection in two minutes or less. Throughout the show, TI will demonstrate how its products can help engineers overcome edge AI, connectivity, and automotive design challenges.

To view virtual demos and related white papers, technical articles, and on-demand training, see TI.com/embeddedworld.

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To simplify implementation, engineers can connect with TI applications engineers through the TI E2E™ Bluetooth support forum. Engineers also have access to the proven, royalty-free Bluetooth LE software stack, which TI has supported and kept updated since 2010.

Package, availability, Package, availability, and pricing and pricing To get started with the CC2340 wireless MCUs, customers can request samples as well as a development kit (LP-EMCC2340R5) priced at US$39. The new wireless MCUs are expected to be in volume production in the first half of 2023.

Pricing for the CC2340 family will start as low as US$0.79 for 1,000-unit quantities. To learn more about the new wireless MCU family, see www.ti.com/cc2340.

Connectivitysolutions solutionsto tomatch match Connectivity yourdesign designneeds needs your The CC2340R2 and CC2340R5 wireless MCUs are the latest addition to the SimpleLink portfolio that provides innovative connectivity solutions to serve the industrial, automotive, and personal electronics markets.

TI is developing affordable, quality, and low-power wireless MCUs, certified modules, and transceivers, along with complete software offerings to fit any RF design need.

For more information, see www.ti.com/wireless.

Source: Texas Instruments

August 2022 | 15

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

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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16 | August 2022

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

Tellepsen and Texas Southern Univer

Providing a Pathway Minorities To Succe Construction Indust

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

A

ccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, Non-Hispanic Blacks held 5.1% of construction jobs, compared with their 11.8-percent share of total employment. Recent information from Zippia highlights that 6.2% of all construction workers are women, while 93.8% are men. The most common ethnicity of construction workers is White (58.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (24.5%) and Black or African American (10.7%).

Though this sector lags behind other industries when it comes to diversity, more construction companies are being proactive to further their strategies for increased inclusion, as a more diverse workplace surges employee productivity, satisfaction, and performance.

To help drive more diversity in this field, Tellepsen and Texas Southern University (TSU) have formed a new partnership agreement focused on positively impacting the success of TSU students who are focused on career pathways in the construction industry.

Tellepsen is a full-service construction company with a timeless commitment to building for future generations. They are a family of companies powered by decades of experience in solving the toughest challenges across market sectors. Tellepsen is passionate about creating a safe environment where anyone can do their best work, succeed in their career, and have a positive impact on others.

As Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country, Tellepsen believes its company should strive to reflect that diversity.

"Together with Tellepsen, we will transform lives,” said TSU president Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young. “A partnership done well is a win for our students, the companies that partner with us, and most importantly for the University’s mission of transforming lives. We look forward to the ways in which this partnership will prepare our students to succeed in careers in the construction industry and beyond."

Together with Tellepsen, we will transform lives,” said TSU president Dr. Dr. Lesia L. Lesia L. CrumptonCrumpton-Young Young. “A partnership Texas Southern University done well is a win President for our students, the companies that partner with us, and most importantly for the University’s mission of transforming lives. We look forward to the ways in which this partnership will prepare our students to succeed in careers in the construction industry and beyond.

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August 2022 | 17

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

rsity

y for eed in the try

Tadd Tellepsen Tellepsen Builders President/CEO

I’m so proud of TSU and I’m proud of Tellepsen,” said CEO Tadd Tellepsen. “We are both Houston’s hometown teams. Tellepsen has a tradition of giving back to the community for over 100 years. We have been cornerstones of this community and now we’re going to do it as a partnership. We want the best and brightest from Houston. And if they come from TSU, they’re coming from Houston’s hometown team.

The agreement is a multifaceted fiveyear strategic partnership between Tellepsen and TSU. It is designed to support the entire student experience in four distinct areas: experts in action, facilities and equipment, internships, and student financial support.

"I’m so proud of TSU and I’m proud of Tellepsen,” said CEO Tadd Tellepsen.

“We are both Houston’s hometown teams. Tellepsen has a tradition of giving back to the community for over 100 years. We have been cornerstones of this

community and now we’re going to do it as a partnership. We want the best and brightest from Houston. And if they come from TSU, they’re coming from Houston’s hometown team."

Tellepsen will work in partnership with TSU’s College of Science, Engineering, and Technology along with the Division of Research and Innovation to ensure instructional equipment software and materials are representative of those used in the industry. It will also aggressively recruit TSU students to participate in its internship program, and much more. This is a five-year partnership with an estimated value of $500,000.

This partnership propelling more diversity in construction will hopefully encourage other construction companies to follow suit. Tellepsen and Texas Southern University working together will open doors for the next generation and underrepresented to succeed in their respective careers in the construction industry.

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For more information, please visit www.TSU.edu and www.Tellepsen.com.

18 | August 2022

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

IT & TECHNOLOGY

New E Processors Make Edge AI More Accessible While Cutting Power Consumption in Half

new ways of interacting with machines, such as enabling gesture recognition to give commands in a noisy factory environment or enabling the control of machines by phones or tablets with a wireless connection. Adding edge AI features to HMI applications, including machine vision, analytics, and predictive maintenance, can help bring a new meaning to HMI that goes beyond a mere interface to enable humanmachine interaction. AM62 processors bring analytics to edge devices at low power, including suspend states as low as 7 mW, and no need to design for thermal considerations, which can give engineers flexibility to deploy these capabilities in size-constrained applications or industrial environments.

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

xpanding on its history of delivering highly integrated processors, Texas Instruments (TI) recently introduced new Sitara™ AM62 processors that help expand edge artificial intelligence (AI) processing into next-generation applications. The low-power design of the new processors enables support for dual-screen displays and small-size human-machine interface (HMI) applications.

The next generation of HMI will bring

Bring Bringintelligence intelligenceto tonew new applications applicationswith withcost-effective cost-effective edge edgeAIAI Starting at less than US$5, the AM62 processor brings low-cost analytics to HMI devices by enabling basic camerabased image processing and edge AI functions, such as detecting and recognizing objects. AM62 processors also enable dual-screen, full high-definition displays and support for multiple operating systems, including Mainline Linux® and Android™ operating systems. AM62 processors also support both wired and wireless connectivity interfaces. To learn more about how edge AI capabilities are

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evolving HMI applications, see the technical article, "Three key considerations for the next generation of HMI."

Simplify complexity Simplifydevelopment development complexity with and withaccess access to to hardware and software tools and resources software tools resources

Reduce system power consumption by as much as 50%

A wide range of tools and resources for AM62 processors provides flexible options for development and can help reduce cost and complexity barriers to design. Multiple open-source software solutions, including Mainline Linux, simplify the application development process and help achieve faster time to market.

A rich hardware ecosystem, including a third-party evaluation module (EVM) starting at US$25, helps designers get started fasteravailability, on application designs.

Package, and pricing

AM62 processors can reduce power consumption in industrial applications by as much as 50% compared to competing devices, enabling an application powered

by AA batteries to remain on for over 1,000 hours. This is possible through a simplified power architecture; the device features only two dedicated power rails and five power modes. Deep sleep mode at <5 mW enables longer battery life, while an active power of <1.5 W is made possible by a core voltage of 0.75 V. Reducing system power consumption extends battery life and helps engineers meet design requirements for handheld or size-constrained devices that can be deployed a ny where.

Achieving optimal power performance is further simplified with the new TPS65219, a companion PMIC specifically designed to meet AM62 processor power supply requirements.

2022

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Package, availability, and pricing The AM625 and AM623 processors are now available through TI and authorized distributors in a 13-mm-by-13mm, 425-pin ALW package, with pricing starting at less than US$5 in 1,000-unit quantities. Full and custom-quantity reels are available on TI.com and through other channels. The AM62 EVM is available on TI.com for US$149.

Learn more at TI.com.

Source: Texas Instruments

August 2022 | 19

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

Texas' Largest Minority Business Marketplace and Trade Fair

Building the Future

University of Houston – The Hub

1500 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056

Day 1: In-Person Activities Day 2: Virtual Platform MD Anderson – Biosciences Research Facility

REGISTRATION OPEN expo.hmsdc.org MAJOR

CORPORATIONS &

MD Anderson – South Campus Education Building

More than Bricks & Mortar As one of the nation’s largest builders, Turner is dedicated to providing avenues of opportunity for Minority and Woman-Owned Businesses in Houston to achieve entrepreneurial success. Our commitment to social responsibility and fair play is not just on paper; it’s ingrained in our company culture. We are devoted to making contributions that not only strengthen the local economy, but also reflect the demographics of the community at large.

Turner is proud to celebrate our 33rd year of The Turner School of Construction Management in partnership with The City of Houston, Office of Business Opportunity.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to grow capacity in Small, Minority and Women owned enterprises in the communities where we work.

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Powerful Keynote Addresses Chief Procurement Officer Summit Rigel Awards Luncheon Biz Talk w/Houston Business Journal State Agency Spot Bid Fair State of Texas: Access & Opportunities MBE Reception Virtual Tradeshow Power Hour Luncheon Business MatchMakers

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GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

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20 | August 2022

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

Back to Work: US O&G Employment To Recover in 2022, Reaching PrePandemic Levels in Five Years

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

E

mployment in the US oil and gas industry is set to rebound in the coming years and surpass pre-Covid levels, with almost 1.1 million projected workers by the end of 2027, according to Rystad Energy research. The sector shed nearly 200,000 jobs during the pandemic – a whopping 20% of the total workforce. However, on the back of high oil prices and bullish market sentiment, almost half of the jobs lost have already been recovered.

After a dismal 2020 that shaved more than 100,000 jobs off the sector, US oil and gas employment is set to expand by 12.5% this year, rising from around 863,000 to 971,000 total jobs by the end of 2022. The total number of jobs in 2027 is expected to hit 1.09 million, a marginal increase from the 1.07 million in the sector pre-Covid in 2019.

But operators are feeling the impact of inflation on their bottom lines, meaning wages are unlikely to grow significantly this year. Wage growth across the industry is expected to be a relatively meager 2.9% in 2022, but the outlook towards the middle of the decade is rosier, with wage growth in 2024 projected to approach 10%.

This employment forecast is based on Rystad Energy’s oil price scenario in which WTI oil price averages $106 per barrel this year, $70 per barrel in 2023, and $50 per barrel towards 2025.

“Fueled by a rapid rise in oil prices amid a better-thanexpected demand recovery and the supply constraints brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US labor market seems poised to benefit and continue on a growth trajectory,” says Sumit Yadav, an analyst with Rystad Energy.

OIL AND GAS

Shortly after the pandemic hit and demand dropped to previously unseen levels, the US oil and gas labor market suffered one of its most harrowing periods of job loss. Between June 2020 and May 2021, more than 100,000 jobs were lost, primarily in the drilling tools and services segment. More than 20,000 jobs – 20% of the segment’s workforce – were cut as drilling activity ground to a halt, operators doubled down on remote drilling initiatives and shelved or delayed new initiatives.

The operational support and construction and installation segments were also severely impacted and lost more than 68,000 jobs combined, accounting for more than 68% of all job losses. The maintenance segment remained largely unaffected as operators prioritized maintenance over other segments.

In contrast, since May 2021, a significant number of jobs have been recovered. As of late April 2022, the industry has regained more than 100,000 jobs compared to pre-pandemic levels, and by the end of 2027, we expect the number of oil and gas jobs to marginally surpass pre-Covid employment levels.

Drivingjob jobgrowth growth Driving The primary growth factor behind the steady job gains is the oil price rebound, which is expected to motivate US operators to ramp up investments to more than $90 billion annually by 2027, representing a growth of nearly 40% compared to the lows of 2020. In addition, the optimism of operators is fueled by positive developments in government policies. The most prominent is the Biden Administration’s announcement that it will lease out more than 145,000 acres of public land across nine states for drilling. The policy is aimed at increasing oil and gas production to boost national energy security and drive exports to help Europe reduce its reliance on Russian energy.

However, the complete recovery of the US labor market hinges on operators successfully navigating significant challenges, including securing financing for necessary expansions. Having burnt their fingers in the previous shale boom, many shale creditors are now adopting a more cautious approach before committing to new projects, putting a damper on the expansion plans of many operators. While E&Ps have recently enjoyed record free cash flows, which will provide better optionality to fund work independently outside financing, some companies will still need external funding, especially mid to small-sized players.

The lack of financing is further exacerbated by rampant inflation and the inevitable spike in interest rates. The US Federal Reserve is looking to curb inflation by reducing business spending, which could dampen continuous recovery in the labor market. Additionally, an acceleration of retirements across the economy, permanent employee relocation, competition from the renewable energy sector, and a limited pool of highly skilled workers,

will challenge industry players looking to boost hiring activity. Amid a combination of all these factors – and spearheaded by historically high inflation – we expect the US oil and gas industry to add nearly 120,000 jobs between 2022 and 2027, meaning a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%, taking the total employment above pre-pandemic levels.

Wagegrowth growth Wage Inflation is taking a toll on the budgets of industry players. The average wage across the industry increased by nearly 6.3% in 2021 compared to only a 2.9% increase in 2020. However, the impressive wage growth in 2021 was primarily concentrated in low-skilled trades with a lower starting salary. Wage growth remained elusive for highly skilled oil and gas roles, such as petroleum engineers and geoscientists.

But the future outlook is promising as wages for these trades are forecast to rebound as the talent pool tightens.

For instance, the supply of petroleum engineers has declined by more than 10,000 since 2019 as many workers became frustrated by frequent boom and bust cycles and moved into other industries. Young graduates are increasingly showing reluctance for oil and gas trades, instead opting for renewables. Based on figures from the end of 2021, the oil and gas industry requires an additional 8,000 petroleum engineers to capitalize on the current high oil prices. Consequently, it will need to shell out a premium to lure young graduates and existing engineers alike. The lack of highly skilled labor combined with high inflation and an increasingly demanding workforce in terms of better working conditions, flexible hours, and perks is expected to usher in high wages. Oil and gas wages are expected to grow at a rapid CAGR of 7.13% between 2022 and 2027.

For more information, please visit www.rystadenergy.com.

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Source: Rystad Energy

August 2022 | 21

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22 | August 2022

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

PERMITS

No One Will Tell You About the Permitting “Have You Thought About” Questions Relayed During the Subcontractors’ USA 2022 Industry Awards Luncheon

• What do we gain by demolishing some areas early?

• Do we have any long lead time materials possibly causing deferred submittals?

• Has the Permitting Center changed any internal processes or issued any new amendments that could impact the project?

• Do we have the bandwidth and know-how to handle permitting internally?

By Helen Callier Contributing Writer

“What does attending the recent Subcontractors’ USA Top 25 Subcontractors Awards Luncheon have to do with building permitting?”

A

side from the fact that there was a super networking environment, tasty food, and a great jazz musician adding to the ambiance, there were anchor institutions like Dallas Independent School District (DISD Bond Program) in the mix to learn about upcoming design and construction projects. And aside from PermitUsNow being the only building permit expediting firm to be recognized with a Top 25 Subcontractors Award, the keynote luncheon speakers: President of Houston Metro Transit, Tom Lambert, and VIA Transit, San Antonio Deputy CEO, Ed Johnson talked about their $7.5 billion and $1.3 billion light rail expansion and bus rapid transit (BRT) capital projects, respectively.

Both projects discussed during the luncheon required permitting. From demo to civil to building, etc., permits will be sought from the City of Houston Permitting Center and the City of San Antonio’s permitting jurisdiction. When these organizations move into permitting, their perspective Permitting Centers’ workload will increase. And when this happens, where are you in the

scheme of things? Are your projects being pushed aside?

“Helen, that’s nice to hear about the Subcontractor’s Award Luncheon and the good food, but what does this mean to me as a General Contractor or Architect or Project Owner in Houston and San Antonio?”

I’m glad you asked. So, here’s the bottom line. When billions of dollars of capital projects begin rolling into the Houston Permitting Center and into COSA’s permitting jurisdiction, it behooves you to be aware so you can plan accordingly to minimize possible delays in plan review.

Below are 6 questions you should think about when large capital projects are heading into your local jurisdiction.

• Should you hold predevelopment meetings with Permitting staff to ask reasonable code questions so they are aware of your projects coming through?

• Can you phase your project work? And if so, what makes the most sense in phasing?

Luncheons and industry events are important to attend for identifying opportunities to grow your business and to make new contacts. When doing so, consider listening to keynote speakers with an ear to hear how what is being shared will impact your projects and ways you can mitigate hiccups.

If your organization is strapped and wants to look at alternatives to managing permits, know that 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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August 2022 | 23

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24 | August 2022

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

SAFETY

SAFETY

A Message From OSHA Heat Illness Prevention

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

S

everal heat-related illnesses can affect workers. Some of the symptoms are non-specific.

This means that when a worker is performing physical labor in a warm environment, any unusual symptom can be a sign of overheating.

Heat-Related Illness

Symptoms and Signs

Heat stroke

• • • • • • •

Confusion Slurred speech Unconsciousness Seizures Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin Very high body temperature Rapid heart rate

Heat exhaustion

• Fatigue • Irritability • Thirst • Nausea or vomiting • Dizziness or lightheadedness • Heavy sweating • Elevated body temperature or fast heart rate

Heat cramps

• Muscle spasms or pain • Usually in legs, arms, or trunk

Heat syncope

• Fainting • Dizziness

Heat rash

• Clusters of red bumps on skin • Often appears on neck, upper chest, and skin folds

Rhabdomyolysis

• Muscle pain • Dark urine or reduced urine output • Weakness

Water. Rest. Shade.

Water Employers should provide cool water for workers to drink. Proper hydration is essential to prevent heatrelated illness. For those working two hours or more, also provide access to additional fluids that contain electrolytes.

For short jobs, cool potable water is sufficient. Workers should be encouraged to drink at least one cup (8 ounces) of water every 20 minutes while working in the heat not just if they are thirsty.

For longer jobs that last more than two hours, employers should provide electrolyte-containing beverages such as sports drinks. Workers lose salt and other electrolytes when they sweat. Substantial loss of electrolytes can cause muscle cramps and other dangerous health problems. Water cannot replace electrolytes; other types of beverages are needed. Water or other fluids provided by the employer should not only be cool, but should also be provided in a location that is familiar to the workers, near the work, easy to access, and in sufficient quantity for the duration of the work.

Workers should be aware that use of certain personal protective equipment (e.g., certain types of respirators and impermeable clothing) can increase the risk of heat-related illness.

Workers should not rely on feeling thirsty to prompt them to drink. They should be reminded to drink on a regular basis to maintain hydration throughout their shift and beyond.

Rest When heat stress is high, employers should require workers to take breaks. The length and frequency of rest breaks should increase as heat stress rises. In general, workers should be taking hourly breaks whenever heat stress exceeds the limits shown in Table 2 under Determination of Whether the Work is Too Hot section on the Heat Hazard Recognition page.

Breaks should last long enough for workers to recover from the heat. How long is long enough? That depends on several factors including environmental heat (WBGT) and the worker's physical activity level, as well as the individual worker's personal risk factors.

The location of the breaks also matters. If workers rest in a cooler location, they will be ready to resume work more quickly. Breaks should last longer if there is no cool location for workers to rest.

Some workers might be tempted to skip breaks. In hot conditions, skipping breaks is not safe! Employers should make sure that workers rest during all recommended break periods.

Both NIOSH and ACGIH have recommendations on appropriate lengths of work and rest cycles as a function of the workload and the WBGT (ACGIH 2017, NIOSH 2016).

Shade Workers should be given a cool location where they can take their breaks and recover from the heat.

Outdoors, might mean a shady area, an air-conditioned vehicle, a nearby building or tent, or an area with fans and misting devices.

Indoors, workers should be allowed to rest in a cool or air-conditioned area away from heat sources such as ovens and furnaces.

For more information and how to protect your workers during these hot months, visit osha.gov.

Source: OSHA

Recognize Safe + Sound Week 2022: August 15-21, 2022

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

S

afe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe.

Why Participate?

Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help get your program started, energize an existing one, or provide a chance to recognize your safety successes.

Who Participates?

All organizations looking for an opportunity to recognize their commitment to safety are welcome to participate. Last year, more than 5,300 businesses helped to raise awareness about workers' health and safety!

Develop your Safety + Health Program According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of worker deaths and reported injuries in the United States has decreased by more than 60 percent in the past four decades since the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act was passed. However, every year, more than 5,000 workers are killed on the job (a rate of 14 per day), and more than 3.6 million suffer a serious job-related injury or illness.

Serious job-related injuries or illnesses don't just hurt workers and their families but can hurt business in a variety of ways. Implementing a safety and health program, however, can improve small- and medium-sized businesses' safety and health performance, save money, and improve competitiveness.

Safety and health programs help businesses: • Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses • Improve compliance with laws and regulations • Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers' compensation premiums • Engage workers • Enhance social responsibility goals • Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations

For more information, visit OSHA.gov.

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Source: OSHA

August 2022 | 25

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

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26 | August 2022

SUBCONTRACTORS USA

METRONext Moving Forward Plan

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

TRANSPORTATION

O

ur region’s population is projected to exceed 10 million people by 2040. That’s why Houston METRO worked closely with the community to develop a plan that addresses the growing demand for expansion of public transit. Approved by voters in November 2019, it includes 500 miles of travel improvements to help ease traffic congestion and give you more ways to move around our region – with no tax increase.

Proposed improvements The plan calls for 75 miles of new METRORapid bus service that operates like light rail, along with expansions to: • • • • •

Two-way HOV lanes Park & Rides Transit Centers Light rail Community Connector service

The plan also proposes enhancements to: • Local bus stops • Accessibility • Safety and security

What Whatprojects projectsare arebeing beingworked workedon? on?

BOOST: The plan also calls for speed, reliability, and access improvements to 17 of METRO’s high-ridership local bus routes (part of our “BOOST” network). Depending on the route, enhancements could include: • • • • •

Bus stop relocation New shelters Accessibility upgrades Transit signal priority Display of real-time information

The first routes to receive a “BOOST” will be the 54 Scott and 56 Airline / Montrose and 82 Westheimer.

METRORapid: It looks like a bus but runs like rail. METRORapid is designed to provide station-to-station service similar to METRORail, delivering faster connections and a smooth, convenient ride.

Universal Accessibility: METRO is committed to the design and composition of an environment so it can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of age, size, ability, or disability.

This includes a multi-year project to ensure bus stops meet or exceed standards laid out in the Americans With Disabilities Act. Visit www.metronext.org for more information on METRONext. And for more information about Houston METRO, visit www.ridemetro.org.

Source: Houston METRO

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Houston Ship Channel

TRANSPORTATION

Billion Dollar

Expansion Starts

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

P

ort Houston, in p a r t nership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, held an event recently, of f icia lly k icking off the $1 billion expansion of the Houston Ship C h a n ne l . D e scribed as a “generation-defining project,” these improvements to the nation’s busiest waterway – more safely and efficiently welcoming import and export container ships and other vessels – will deliver jobs and growth to the Houston region, state, and nation.

More than 200 people, including elected officials and representatives from multiple sectors in the maritime industry, attended the historic event. Bipartisanship and collaboration were on full display at the event, with the Port Commission, and Congressional, State, and Local delegations, leading the way.

“All of our partners here view what some would call problems or challenges as opportunities,” Port Houston Chairman Ric Campo said to the audience, but “opportunities to drive our industry forward and reimagine how we tackle these ‘challenges’ in new innovative ways, generating greater results for all.”

The unprecedented challenges in the global supply chain over

the past two years have highlighted the critical importance of ports and the maritime industry, and the cargo moving through the channel touches every Congressional District in the nation.

Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Michael Connor addressed the group, “Army Civil Works is proud to partner with the Port of Houston to invest funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance the expansion of the Houston Ship Channel,” he said. “This project is important on many levels, including improving the efficiency of our nation’s supply chains, promoting navigational safety, and creating environmental benefits through the innovative use of dredged material.”

According to USACE Southwestern District Commander Col. Kenneth N. Reed, it is also an important project for the Galveston District

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TRANSPORTATION

Funding for VIA’s Advanced Rapid Transit Recommended in President’s Budget

Proposed North/South Corridor could receive $158M in new fiscal year

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

P

and the District’s higher headquarters. “As the federal agency that maintains and constructs much of the nation’s public infrastructure, the Army Corps of Engineers continues to work with Port Houston on one of the most impactful infrastructure projects nationwide,” he said.

Known locally as Project 11 because it is the eleventh major construction project of the waterway in its more than 100-year history, the work of widening and deepening the Houston Ship Channel will have tremendous positive economic, safety, and environmental benefit for the nation.

“The sooner we complete and utilize the project that delivers an increased $134 million annual economic impact, the better,” Chairman Campo stressed.

“And ultimately what this means is more jobs.”

The project is on schedule for completion in 2025.

“This project will enable Port Houston to continue to grow and respond effectively to whatever the future demand in the supply chain has to offer,” said Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther in his remarks. “A safe and efficient channel is the best way we can position Houston to provide a prosperous opportunity for the next generation.”

On display at the event were some of the many vessels keeping the channel safe and efficient, including Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company’s ecofriendly dredge Carolina, which soon joins the channel work.

lans for San Antonio’s first Advanced Rapid Transit corridor are progressing with a recommendation for $158 million from the federal government, marking a historic funding opportunity for the region and a step forward for the project that’s part of VIA’s Keep SA Moving plan.

VIA’s Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) project is the only Texas project added to the President’s funding recommendation list for Fiscal Year 2023. It marks the first time San Antonio and VIA have been able to access this type of funding, which requires transit service that operates in a dedicated lane.

“Milestone by milestone, we keep moving toward a more modern and equitable transit system for San Antonio—one that ensures our community has better access to opportunities with projects designed to improve transit options while offering environmental and economic benefits for our growing region,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said.

“We are grateful to the Federal Administration for continuing to recognize VIA’s ART project as vital, beneficial, and worthy of investment.”

Voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition A in November 2020, securing dedicated local sales tax funding for Keep SA Moving projects, including a modern ART network designed to deliver frequent service within dedicated lanes and outside

More details on the Houston Ship Channel Expansion Program can be found at www.expandthehoustonshipchannel.com.

Source: Port Houston

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regular traffic.

The estimated capital cost for the North/ South ART corridor is $320 million. The 12-mile corridor connects major employment and residential centers from the San Antonio International Airport, along San Pedro Avenue, through Downtown and south to the Missions area.

In August 2021, VIA was granted permission to enter the ART North/ South concept project into the Capitol Investment Grants (CIG) program, one of the largest federal funding programs in existence. The project earned an initial “Medium-High” rating in January 2022.

“FTA looks forward to working with communities across the country to provide exciting new transit options,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said. “These investments support President Biden’s commitment to combat climate change while also improving safety, advancing equity, and improving quality of life for millions of Americans.”

VIA began its series of public meetings to discuss the ART project and collect community feedback on the proposed plans for a North/South corridor. Visit KeepSAmoving.com for more information about the project, details on upcoming meetings and events, or to attend a virtual meeting available anytime on the site.

Source: VIA Metropolitan Transit

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