In an ongoing effort to offer networking and educational opportunities to small and disadvantaged contractors in the construction business, KPH Construction, a member of AGC of Michigan and AGC of Greater Milwaukee, participated in an event Feb. 14 that drew dozens of such firms eager to learn more about possible work for the federal government.
The event at the Milwaukee War Memorial was presented by AGC of Greater Milwaukee, AIA Wisconsin, WPI and the Emerging Construction Business Incubator (ECBI), founded by KPH Construction for this very goal.
Topics for the day included "The Federal Market Opportunity,"offering a glimpse of the federal contracts awarded for the construction industry by prime and subcontracts in 2012, "2013 Budget & Project Forecasts by Federal Agencies for Design & Construction"and "Understanding The Role of Small & Disadvantaged Business: How these businesses play a key role in federal contracting."
Robert Geisfeldt, lead business development specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration - Wisconsin District-Milwaukee was on hand, along with panelists from the ECBI, AIA, Scopebridge, Plunkett Raysich Architects, Bloom Companies, RA Smith and the Wisconsin Procurement Institute just to name a few.
Also speaking was Keith P. Harenda of KPH Construction. As a first-generation construction and environmental firm headquartered in Milwaukee, the company now operates in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana, serving both public and private sectors and partners regularly with small and disadvantaged firms. "While KPH today works in hospitals, commercial developments, school districts and hospitality, we have weathered economic downturns by becoming a trusted contractor for the federal government. We're happy to share our success with female-, minority- and veteran-owned firms through the ECBI and by mentoring and teaming with small contractors on government projects.â€Â
In addition to its headquarters in Milwaukee, KPH is working throughout the Midwest and is constantly seeking residents of HUB Zone neighborhoods for hiring and small qualified contractors to serve as subs. The company recently announced it was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the GSA for the three zones in the state of Michigan. The contract for repair, alteration and construction work, has four option years and may include up to $16 million in work.
"These are major contracts and we are particularly interested in partnering with disadvantaged, emerging and women-owned businesses in related construction fields to fulfill these GSA projects,"added Harenda.
About KPH Construction
Established in 1999 by Keith P. Harenda, KPH Construction is a privately owned company that provides comprehensive construction, environmental remediation, construction management services and more to private and public market sectors in the Midwest. To learn more, visit our website at www.kphconstruction.com.
Associated General Contractors of America