Tag: Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan

Bidding Strategies: A Project Owner’s Perspective

December 1, 2019

The key is not the will to win…everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.

Bobby Knight

A tale of two bidders

There are at least two mindsets to construction bidding. The first is the bidder who uses the shotgun approach – fire at everything and see where the buckshot hits. The second bidder is strategic, selective, and researches which projects are the most feasible to win. Both can result in a win; however, the first will likely experience far more misses and log more bidding hours that take staff away from other important tasks. Perhaps most important from an owner’s perspective, the first mindset could give the appearance that this company will go after anything, regardless of the best fit and capability to do the work.

High ceiling in the construction market

The good news is there will be construction work to target. According to Dodge Data & Analytics 2020 Construction Outlook presented earlier this month, the construction environment will be positive for institutional and public works sectors for the upcoming year.

In addition, large capital programs like the $45 Billion Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, have begun to see some of the first major projects rolling out right now. This is particularly encouraging for small and underrepresented contractors interested in public sector work as diversity programs at the city, state, and federal levels are indicating that their arms are wide open for MWDVBE companies to participate.

Be in it to win it

Knowing all of the above, even when MWDVBE goals are present on a project your award is not a given. There will be no one standing at the door handing out vouchers to pick up your pass and wave you to the job site. You still have to win the bid first. In fact, the competition will be great, even among MWDVBEs. Be prepared to put your best foot forward to impress those who are in control of making the decision on awarding you a contract. Will you come to the game like our first bidder, ball in hand and flail it through the air for whoever is there to catch it? Or will you be like our second bidder, come to the game properly equipped and prepared with a secret playbook ready to win?

The secret playbook

Through research, interviews, and past experience as a representative for major project owners, Coleman and Associates, Inc. has rounded up the problems that put most contractors at risk of losing bids and will be unveiling secret strategies to help you win more bids at our upcoming webinar Insider Secrets to Unlock the Mysteries of Bidding Success on December 12, 2019.

You’ll learn:

  • How to prepare a bid that is responsive and responsible
  • Things you must do upfront before even submitting a bid
  • Whether bidding the project is right for your company

Winning bids is the lifeblood of successful contractors so don’t miss this special peek into the decision-making process for your next award.

Join our webinar on December 12, 2019 at 11:00 am CDT to put yourself in the best possible position to walk away the winner of a higher percentage of bids than you have experienced in the past. 

$45 Billion Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan 2019 Webinar Recap

November 18, 2019

In October 2019, CEO Fred Coleman and COO Helen Coleman of Coleman and Associates, Inc. led an information-rich webinar that included:

Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan Webinar checkpoints

Weren’t able to attend? That’s okay! You can watch the recap of the webinar below!

One of the key takeaways from our webinar is to help MWBDEs understand how much this additional capital spending means to you!

Watch the video and see CAI’s analysis of 12 respective agencies in order to project MWDBE spend for the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

What are you waiting for?

4 Reasons You Don’t Want to Miss CAI’s October 17th Webinar

October 2, 2019

Success depends upon previous preparation.

Confucius

The Illinois State Capital Plan signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on July 1, 2019, will essentially open a floodgate of work for businesses and workers across Illinois over the next several years. When that gate opens, small businesses, including those minority and women-owned, do not want to be left in a flurry of dust created by more informed, better prepared, larger companies who know the ropes of successfully securing state work.

Hence, the former notwithstanding, here are the top 4 reasons to register for our webinar on October 17th, 2019 at 11 am CDT.

1. It’s free!!!

One of the goals of Coleman and Associates, Inc. is to increase the utilization of minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBE) where they are underrepresented. The construction industry bears that distinction. Therefore, if providing this free information takes us one step toward this goal, it’s priceless.

2. You’ll get early leads on the agencies administering projects so you can get a jump on your competition.

This webinar will identify the agencies who will be managing the bulk of the work from the capital plan. It’s a 6-year plan, giving you time to plan and target your business development efforts to align more closely with your company and its strengths early, a strategy not available to your less-informed competition.

3. You’ll discover the potential level of MWDBE program goals.

The Illinois Business Enterprise Program for Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities (BEP) was established to improve equity in State contracting. When the program’s expected goals are applied to the significant value of this capital plan, the resulting spend can be a great benefit to small businesses. This is an opportunity you will not want to miss.

4. You’ll receive business readiness tips to take advantage of the multitude of bidding opportunities that will emerge.

We all know the old adage “knowledge is power”. However, if you have the knowledge and do nothing with it, that would be a waste. Whether you are a service provider or a supplier, there is most likely something you can provide within this program. You just have to be ready and able. Joining our webinar on Oct. 17th is the first step.

Don’t be left standing in that cloud of dust when the Rebuild Illinois State Capital Plan unfolds. Join our free webinar on October 17, 2019 at 11:00 am CDT to get informed, be prepared, and position your company for early success. Plus, all attendees who stay until the end of the webinar will receive an awesome bonus from Coleman and Associates, Inc.

Register Today Button

Why Diverse Construction Businesses are Important to the U.S. Economy

September 24, 2019

It’s not enough to have economic growth. You have to distribute wealth throughout all of society.

Tabare Vazquez

Demographic trends are changing the construction industry. The U.S. Census Bureau (2015) projects that by 2044 racial minorities will be the majority population in the United States. By 2020, it is projected that 50 percent of businesses entering the construction industry will be minority-owned or female-owned. Hispanic contractors, now representing 17 percent of construction companies, are a major driver of this trend. These facts, and more below, are why we should be paying attention and supporting diverse construction businesses.

Community Stimulus

Community impact is often cited as one of the reasons minority-owned businesses are a key factor in economic growth. As more minority businesses are formed, they are more likely to create jobs and employ workers in minority communities. These neighborhoods also present significant opportunities for development and, with the right partnerships, construction companies can make positive change through facility rehabs and construction of mixed-use developments. A great example is Magic Johnson’s Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) that focuses on under-served markets by building entertainment complexes, restaurants, and retail centers within the community.

Social Influence

Minority-owned construction businesses contribute to stimulating economic growth by providing employment opportunities to people who may not be employable by large corporations. Community advocacy organizations in several communities in Illinois have initiated programs to expose underemployed individuals and individuals with non-violent criminal histories to construction pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare them for apprenticeship opportunities. Considering the 800,000 incarcerated individuals in Illinois whose records will be expunged for soon to be legal marijuana, many may be candidates for these types of programs. The $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan contains $25 million for the Illinois Works pre-apprenticeship programs. The expenditure of these funds potentially could have a very good return-on-investment.

Economic Impact

Minority and women-owned businesses create jobs in traditionally marginalized communities, building wealth for their families and, ultimately, boosting the economy through their purchases of goods and services. Economic growth translates to expanding markets and economic buying power in more than under-served markets. Minority-owned and women-owned construction firms alone or with key partners must position themselves to help the U.S. economy grow well into the future.

Is your business prepared for its impending role in boosting the U.S. economy? Coleman and Associates, Inc. would love to help you grow your business for the future. Join us for our free webinar on Oct. 17 to learn more about how your company can take advantage of the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan and more ways to help you grow your capacity.