Houston Independent School District’s Business Assistance office is hosting the first in a series of Construction Networking Events on Wednesday, April 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Delmar Fieldhouse.

The event will give attendees the opportunity to network and discuss requirements for the $1.89 billion 2012 bond project that will build or renovate 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools. 

HISD’s Supplier Diversity Team Leader Bernard Willingham said networking events like this help establish and build relationships between general contractors and subcontractors. The goal is to help facilitate potential partnerships.

“These functions allow subcontractors the opportunity to discuss their skills and talk about their work experiences,” Willingham said. “The primes and subs have a forum to meet and discuss the direction of their companies.”

HISD representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the bidding process and the project requirements. Also in attendance will be representatives from M/WBE certifying agencies to talk to any minority or women-owned business firms interested in the application process.

Learn more about HISD’s supplier diversity efforts

Alexis Licata, general manager of HISD’s Office of Business Assistance, said she’s hoping to see new faces at the event as part of an ongoing outreach effort to Houston’s diverse business community.

“We want prime contractors to see the various partnership alternatives they have with subcontractors, and we want to give subs and M/WBEs the opportunity to work with those primes on HISD bond projects,” Licata said.

More than 30 prime contracting firms are expected to attend the event, including Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc.; Clark Construction Group, LLC; and Cadence McShane Construction Company. Booths are still available for current and prospective Prime General Contractors.  For more information, please call the Office of Business Assistance at 713-556-7273.

Click here to see all current bid opportunities

The district expects to release an RFP for firms interested in performing the construction work on the schools in the first phase of the bond program in the coming weeks. Construction could begin on some projects by the end of the summer.