A lack of skilled labor in El Paso and a more transient labor force in the Phoenix area are also contributing factors to keeping headquarters and staff in New Mexico, Burns says. Government work isn't bid on a price basis. All government work is bid on qualifications. Burns says most of the work is remodeling projects as military bases' missions change in a post-cold war era. Another important component of the firm's work is concentrated along the border with Mexico, where the General Services Administration is overseeing the building of ports of entry and facilities for the Border Patrol.
Engineers now comprise half the staff in the Albuquerque office.
Engineers on staff is one of the factors the U.S. government's General Services Administration looks for when awarding a contract. Lloyd and Tryk, with 22 people on staff, is one of Santa Fe's largest architectural firms, and one which finds most of its business in New Mexico's private sector. All of that takes time and money. In the private sector you make one or two calls, you talk informally, and you get the job. The Santa Fe firm has done architectural design work for builders of both custom and tract homes as well as hotel renovation in Santa Fe and an addition to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.