Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Andersen Construction Open House on August 14th at CCD Office in Seattle

Update from Andersen Construction that the E. Fir St. project bid date has been moved up a week from Aug. 28th to Aug. 22nd, 2pm. Click - Request for Proposal with the correct information.

The MBDA Business Center is joining with Andersen Construction Company Inc. to have an Open House at our CCD classroom on Tuesday, August 14th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  This event is to showcase the Request for Proposal for the 1105 E. Fir Street Apartments construction project that is part of the big Yesler Terrace renovation on Capitol Hill. This project includes constructing a 91-unit apartment building first, then three townhomes with three units in each afterwards.  

This RFP, for which info is attached, is specifically for the MEP trades, namely Plumbing, HVAC, Fire Protection and Electrical and Low Voltage. NOTE: This RFP is for DESIGN and INSTALL, not just install. Therefore, you will be creating the system you will be installing, and you can hire subcontractors to help.  The estimated amounts for each trade are:  Plumbing $1.3M, HVAC - $7-800K, Electrical - $1.5M, Fire Protection - $300K.  BIDS ARE DUE AT 2:00 pm ON TUESDAY, AUGUST, 28TH!  The buildings themselves have already been designed, however, Andersen is interested in meeting firms with other disciplines, too, as they have a number of projects coming down the pike and would like to start meeting some new firms to work with.

A little bit about Andersen (www.andersen-const.com).  Headquartered in Portland, OR, with a sizeable Seattle office just a couple blocks from CCD, they are a family owned business that's been around for decades and specializes in structural work.  They've done very large projects throughout the PNW and have made it a corporate policy to exceed the WMBE goals that are set out by the project owners (yes!).  In the case of the Fir St. Project, these are the goals Andersen has determined they want to achieve:

Section 3 - Business Participation - 12%
MWBE and Disadvantaged Business Participation - 30%
Section 3 - New Hire employment Percentage - 100%
Section 3 - Employment New Hires for Project - 60 New Hires
MWBE Employment Participation - 50%
Apprentice Utilization Participation - 17%

As you can see, these are healthy targets, especially the MWBE goal of 30%, which is more than twice the level the City of Seattle set. If you have a diversified crew, then your chances of successful bidding are even better. Andersen has indicated that lowest bidder is not necessarily their guideline, but best value and goal achievment, too.

I encourage you to attend this Open House at 1437 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98144 (corner of 16th & Jackson) Light refreshments will be served and we have free parking around the building and on the streets.  Bring your business cards and any materials you wish to share.  You will also need to complete Andersen's prequalification form, which you can get directly from Andersen, as well as project documents.  I also urge you to call these people at Andersen for more info--they want to hear from you!

Ms. Tracey Hilliard - Community Outreach Coordinator - Ofc: 206-763-6712 or cell: 425-652-8798, e/m thilliard@andersen-const.com
Mr. Steve Jones - Sr. Project Mgr. - Cell:  206-541-8108, e/m sjones@andersen-const.com
Mr. Ben Brodsky - E. Fir St. Project Mgr. - Ofc. 206-763-6712, e/m bbrodsky@andersen-const.com.

Finally, I need to know who and how many will be attending, so please e/m or call me ASAP so I can give Andersen a head count.  Bring your teaming partners, too, and feel free to share this info with others in your data base.  I look forward to seeing you at our 'home'!


Best regards,
Rhonda L. DeVito
Business Consultant
Seattle MBDA Business Center
US Dept. of Commerce/Minority Business Development Agency
Operated by Community Capital Development
Ph:  206-267-3131 x1 | Fx:  206-267-3132 | Cell:  206-234-6390
E/M:  rhondad@seattlembdacenter.com
www.seattlembdacenter.com | www.mbda.gov | www.seattleccd.com