The Texas A&M University System Office of HUB and Procurement Programs recently collaborated with the Office of Facilities, Planning and Construction, SSC and general contractors to host a Construction Vendor Expo in an effort to ensure that HUB subcontractors are aware of upcoming opportunities and ways to do business with the A&M System.
The Office of HUB and Procurement Programs seeks to provide equal access and opportunity to HUBs in the areas of construction, professional services as well as other services and commodities. With most opportunities at the A&M System Office being through major construction projects, the Construction Vendors Expo was an opportune event for networking with general contractors and subcontractors.
“The purpose of this event was to allow subcontractors the ability to network with the general contractors that were invited to display, so they could potentially partner with those companies or at least understand how each of those general contractors solicit their subcontractors,” Jeff Zimmermann, Director of Procurement & Business Services, said.
The event started off with short presentations by representatives from both the Facilities, Planning and Construction Department at the Texas A&M University System as well as SSC. Russ Wallace, the Executive Director of the Facilities, Planning and Construction Department, discussed how the A&M System procures its building and construction projects and gave an overview of the process, the different construction methods they utilize and current projects the System has going on. Projects handled by the Facilities, Planning and Construction Department are typically over $10 million. The second presenter was Jeff Heye, the regional director of operations for a company called SSC, an outsourced provider of facilities maintenance and construction projects under $10 million for each of the A&M System’s campuses. He discussed how they do business and how to become a vendor or subcontractor of theirs.
After the presentation, attendees had the opportunity to network with the general contractors at the booths they had set up. There were eight general contractors in attendance including:
- Austin Commercial
- Flintco
- Gilbane
- Hensel Phelps
- Skanska
- Spawglass
- Sundt Construction
- Vaughn Construction
Having the individual general contractor booths set up gave the subcontractors in attendance the chance to speak one on one and gain more detail on what the companies are looking for and how their business could be of service to them.
“If the subcontractors can get to know the ins and outs of what the prime contractor is looking for or what their needs are, they can better understand how to prepare for proposals when they submit those,” Zimmermann said.
While both Zimmermann and HUB Coordinator Keith Williams were pleased with how their first event turned out, they both agree there are changes and improvements to be made to promote the further growth of the System’s HUB Program impact.
“We will always strive for more attendance,” Zimmermann said. “While we were pleased with the turnout, we always want more people to show up. I think we had a good mix of subcontractors attending, but I think there were some areas I was hoping to see better attendance from. Maybe in certain trades like electrical or MEP subcontractors, drywall, concrete, some of the bigger trades.”
In the future, the System has plans to continue pursuing their growing market in the Houston area. With nearby campuses like Texas A&M University in College Station and Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View pulling the majority of their subcontractors from the city, Houston is on top as their biggest market. Plus, the A&M System has new facilities planned in Houston adding even more opportunity.
“We plan on having more outreach events like this in the future,” Williams said. “Maybe once or twice a year, we can break down the specific skill trades and market to them individually. Having one Prime Vendor to really focus in on what they are looking for and give them some one on one time with the subcontractors is one way we are looking to improve our outreach events.”
Zimmermann says this is just the start of the A&M System hosting events targeted at helping HUBs get their foot in the door for some great opportunities, and his previous statement on their mission to “make a difference” still stands.
“We feel like this event was a success,” he said. “I think it was a step forward in our goal to make a difference and show the HUB community we are here, ready to connect them with all the opportunity we can.”
