News Release

February 25, 2016

For more information:
Environmental Services, Linc Mann, 503-823-5328, linc.mann@portlandoregon.gov
Portland Water Bureau, Jaymee Cuti, 503-823-8064, jaymee.cuti@portlandoregon.gov

Environmental Services and the Portland Water Bureau are working to involve more disadvantaged, minority, woman and emerging small business enterprises (D/M/W/ESB) in sewer, stormwater and water construction projects. The two bureaus have set an aspirational goal of directing at least 20% of hard construction costs to D/M/W/ESB subcontractors.

Environmental Services hit the mark in January with Portland City Council approval of a $3.5-million contract to Landis and Landis Construction for the Lower Powell Green Streets and Sewer Project. The contract includes $734,500 to D/M/W/ESB subcontractors. Subcontract work for the Lower Powell project will include traffic control, manhole repairs, signage, trucking, boring and jacking, and concrete cutting.

The Portland Water Bureau routinely meets and exceeds the City of Portland’s M/W/ESB contracting goals, most recently with the Dam 2 Tower Improvement and Powell Butte Reservoirs projects.

“Environmental Services and the Water Bureau are deeply committed to expanding opportunity for D/M/W/ESB contractors,” said Commissioner-in-Charge Nick Fish.

Prime and subcontractors have asked the two utility bureaus for more information about increasing their involvement in utility construction projects. In response, Environmental Services and the Portland Water Bureau scheduled a construction forecast open house to give the contracting community an advance look at upcoming projects. The open house is designed to give primes and subs more time to develop relationships and to bid the work.

Sewer and water utility projects coming up in the next nine months include more than $50-million in pipe, pump station and culvert replacement, green street construction, storage tank repairs and treatment plant improvements.

The free open house is on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1441 NE 2nd Avenue from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Project managers from both bureaus will be on hand to talk to contractors and subcontractors about the kinds of work available in upcoming projects.

Workshop registration is available online at Eventbrite. Contractors and subcontractors can call 503-823-7623 for more information.

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