DDC Hosts Over 300 Contractors to Preview Project Pipeline and Discuss Upcoming Opportunities | NYC DDC

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DDC Hosts Over 300 Contractors to Preview Project Pipeline and Discuss Upcoming Opportunities

April 17, 2018

Contact:
Dan Leibel
718-391-1251

New York – The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) hosted over 300 architecture, engineering and construction consultants today at its fourth annual Open House on Contracting Opportunities. The event is designed to inform firms that seek to do business with the City of upcoming DDC projects and how they can they can better navigate the City’s bidding and procurement processes.

Agency Chief Contracting Officer Nicholas Mendoza speaks to contractors at DDC’s 2018 Consultant Open House

“The Open House continues to be one of our best resources in working with our industry partners to build a more sustainable, resilient, equitable, and healthy New York City through the development of its public buildings and infrastructure,” said DDC Acting Commissioner Ana Barrio. “The networking event lets us foster relationships with our potential contractors and helps to develop clear communication throughout the construction process.”

A slew of DDC department heads, architects and engineers spoke to the consultants about the processes involved in working with the City. Specifically, the presentations highlighted information in regards to procurement rules, federally funded projects, engineering audits, construction safety, public buildings and infrastructure.

Maritza Anscomb of Air Quality Inspection and Improvement

“I’ve attended two open houses before today and they have been great for developing relationships with other industry partners who attend the event,” said Maritza Anscomb of Air Quality Inspection and Improvement (AQII). “The open house is a great learning and networking tool, and we like to come because it keeps us informed about the City’s rules of engagement.”

Today, DDC is managing almost 1,000 active projects for 27 different City agencies for a total value of more than $13.8 billion. DDC also continues to make strides in contracts awarded to M/WBE contractors across the City and region. Over the course of the past three-and-a-half years, the agency has undertaken several initiatives to increase transparency, build capacity and increase M/WBE utilization. Over half of the City’s M/WBE contracts are awarded through the DDC.

Michaele Watson, Project Manager, W. Allen Engineering Inc.

“As a sub-contractor, the open house helps because it provides direct access to companies doing work with DDC,” said Michaele Watson, Project Manager at W. Allen Engineering Inc. “It’s great to get face time with potential partners, and especially as an MBE it’s important for us to be able to have direct discourse with prime contractors.”

“We do a great deal of government work along the east coast and we’d like to break in to NYC’s pipeline, so this event is good for learning how to operate to eventually work on a project for the City,” said Barry Wood. “You meet people, you begin to understand the processes involved and overall it’s a great way to learn what the City will need in the near future.”

Barry Wood and Saida Butt of DCM Architecture & Engineering at the 2018 Contractors Open House

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $13 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.