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There is no question – the time is now! Limited resources, labor shortages, cost escalation, and an abundant need for infrastructure improvement, replacement, and upgrade, demands a commitment to an underutilized yet available resource: small/women/minority owned businesses.

Crowder Construction Company has found that the shift to collaborative delivery by public owners has created opportunities for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) that did not exist in traditional procurement methods. Historic goals for participation only marginally increased dollars being spent with disadvantaged businesses and had little impact on these businesses’ development, market growth, or geographical reach. What was needed was a commitment to DEI that was difficult to achieve when selection was based on low bid.

Procurement processes such as Progressive Design-Build and Public Private Partnerships (P3) allow public utilities to select their team with an emphasis on qualifications allowing for specific goals to be met which could include DEI. During preconstruction, when the project scope is developed collaboratively among the owner, designer, and contractor, multiple opportunities exist to segment work to meet capabilities of local businesses and available bonding capacity. Including historically underutilized businesses in this process can build local/regional capacity and expertise, decrease costs, encourage increased competition, and create broader opportunities for economic development.

Crowder has prioritized social change by creating a more diverse and equitable workplace and focusing on the value this transformation brings to our clients, communities, and even our competitors. With shared goals, targeted action, and monitored impact, we can collaborate for a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future.