The City of Fort Worth made history this month with their Professional Engineering Design and Consultant Services RFQ. The objective of the RFQ was to identify the most competent and qualified firms from which the City may negotiate contracts for professional design services that will be necessary to complete various TPW Capital Delivery Division (CDD) projects in 20 different categories. For the first time in Fort Worth history, an African-American Woman-owned business (McKissack McKissack) was selected as the Prime contractor in not only one, but two categories (Program Level & Project Planning and Project Management Peer Review/Process Improvement). In addition, McKissack McKissack also teamed with another African-American company, Dikita Enterprises, to provide subcontracting services; hence, modeling the behavior of diversity inclusion at the Prime level, even when you are a minority.
The Pre-Qualified Professional Provider list consists of several reputable companies, one of which is also an Industry Partner to the RBCA. HNTB has made subcontracting commitments with African-American Engineering firms like EJES, CMTS, and Dikita in the spirit of building capacity and strengthening pre-existing relationships. Also, note that the City hired CM Foster Group, an African-American Prime contractor for Infrastructure Inspection Services, not related to the above referenced RFQ. The RBCA values its partnership with the City of Fort Worth and gives thanks to City Manager, David Cooke, Christina Brooks, Diversity and Inclusion Director, her team and Director of Transportation and Public Works, William Johnson, for their tireless efforts to continue making Fort Worth an inclusive City. We look forward to increasing African-American business participation together! And as Always, thanks to Mayor Betsy Price!
