2012 conventions 2012 election 2013 session 2013 special election arts arts and culture author ballot measures basketball bomb books boy scouts budget bullying business charlie hales children clackamas climate change coal college courts crime culture culture club democrats drugs economy education environment family film fluoride food gay rights guns handguns health health care health insurance high school history housing immigration international internet kitzhaber law legislature lgbt literary arts living marijuana marriage media medicine mental health military minor parties mohamed mohamud movies music native americans news newspaper obama olympics oregon our town parenting pers photography police politcs politics port portland portland business journal president prevention public safety religion republicans rnc romney rural salem sam adams sandy hook schools science shooting sports suicide supreme court taxes technology television terrorism theater third parties transportation union university of oregon washington wildfire women

As a former City of Portland, Facilities Services project manager (currently in public service), I worked 11 years primarily on large capital projects, but also with the Bureau of Purchasing, Sheltered Market Program (SMP) on projects valuing $100,000 or less.  

Since affirmative action was successfully challenged in the courts, ending programs that discriminated based on race, gender etc., cities like Portland have endeavored to develop incentive programs like the SMP to provide opportunities for women, minority and emerging small businesses (emerging small businesses include owners of any race).

While a recent audit report indicates that businesses owned by whites are awarded City of Portland contracts disproportionately, that result is most certainly not for lack of effort on the City's part.  While the City can provide the opportunities, by law they are required to award contracts based on low bid (in all but exceptional cases).  I have worked directly with MBE, WBE and ESB firms that have successfully graduated from the SMP and gone on to work within the broader construction industry. I have also seen some SMP construction firms fall short, despite the City's best efforts.  Overall, I would say the City's SMP program has worked for those best equipped to succeed in a very tough and competitive environment (which is not inconsistent with the real world construction industry). 

The divisive argument that the City of Portland is doing a disservice to women or minority owned construction firms, is not rooted in reality.   So how can the City improve its construction contracts incentive programs for minorities and women?  I point to the basis of contract award - low bid success.  By no means, does low bid always translate into project success.  In today's complex construction industry, it is better to be second low bidder or worse, than to be low bidder and inaccurate.  Knowing how to be a "successful" low bidder requires extensive technical knowledge and a little luck.  Before the City considers spending more resources on data collection, reports and program adjustments, they may want to consult the OSU Construction Management Engineering department and explore ways to offer free valuable technical training for motivated SMP contractors desiring a competitive advantage.  

Stephen Keller,

Property Services Manager

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context