Types of Construction Projects
What types of Construction does the Port purchase?
- Major Public Works (>$350K)
- Small Works (<$350K including contracts under $40k where contractors are contacted directly)
- Direct Contracting (<$150K)
- FA-Fine Arts contracts for permanent art commissions at the Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
How does the Port purchase construction services?
|
Contract Type |
Evaluation Criteria |
WMBE Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Design Bid Build (DBB) | Lowest responsible and responsive bidder | Prime must meet WMBE aspirational goals for that project |
| Design Build (D/B) | Award based on qualifications and best overall value rather than price alone | Prime must meet WMBE aspirational goals for that project |
| General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) | Award based on qualifications and best overall value rather than price alone | At least 70% of work must be subcontracted; Prime must meet WMBE aspirational goals |
|
“On-call” for specialized trades for $350,000 |
Unit-price bid amount | WMBE/small encouraged to consider pursuing as prime |
|
One contract for multiple, small, time-sensitive projects |
Award based on qualifications and best overall value rather than price alone | At least 90% of the work must be subcontracted; Prime must meet WMBE aspirational goals |
| Direct Contracting via Small Works Roster for Small projects <$150K | If there are 6 or more contractors meeting the definition of small business for a specific trade, Port will rotate among the certified vendors. If 5 or less, Port may direct contract with any business on the roster and will rotate (certification not required) | |
What are key things to know about construction contracting at the Port?
- Project Labor Agreements are typically in place for construction projects >$5M and requires contractor and subcontractors to meet terms and conditions related to:
- Pre-job jurisdictional conferences
- Wages and benefits
- Use of union workers
- The Port environment can be very complex with:
- Operational facilities (many 24 hours/day)
- Badging requirements that require money and time
- Labor and Industries' intent to Pay Prevailing Wage
- Insurance and bonding requirements apply
What are the steps that I need to take to become a contractor for the Port?
- Register your business on VendorConnect to make sure you receive automatic notifications of contracts relevant to you.
- Include correct contact information, NAICS codes, business firm certifications, and work types
- Use the VendorConnect User Guide to register your business
- All major construction projects are also advertised in the Daily Journal of Commerce
- Be considered for Small Works and Direct Contracting Work
- Apply the “small works” roster type tag to your business in VendorConnect
- Direct Contracting Work: Certify with OMWBE as small, minority-owned, women-owned or certify with Veteran Affairs as veteran-owned
- Network with Prime Contractors to get on teams for Major Public Works projects
- Attend PortGen events and other local trade shows
- Attend pre-bid conference/site tours
- Reach out to primes on VendorConnect planholders lists
- Register as a subcontractor on VendorConnect planholders list
- Sign on to the Diversity in Contracting Mailing List to never miss out on the Port’s many contracting opportunities, networking events, training opportunities, and important updates.
Who should I contact if I have more questions?
- Regan Renfro ([email protected], 206-419-4822), Design & Construction Supervisor, Major Construction
- Marilynn Montenegro ([email protected], 206-886-9628), Design & construction Supervisor, Small Works and Direct Contracting
