Philadelphia – Talson Solutions LLC, a Philadelphia-based minority business, was selected to aid the Rebuild initiative in its economic opportunity and diversity and inclusion work. Under the terms of the contract, which covers a one-year period with the option to extend if needed, Talson will assist Rebuild in connecting minority-, women-, and disabled-owned business entities (W/M/DBSE) to Rebuild contract opportunities and will work with both construction and professional service W/M/DBSEs to build their capacity to apply for Rebuild contracts and larger contracts over time.
The contract also outlines Talson’s responsibilities in terms of technical support to both Rebuild and Rebuild program participants, outreach within the minority and women owned business community, and the evaluation of economic opportunity plans in grant applications for Rebuild investment sites, among other services.
“We are looking forward to working closely with Talson Solutions LLC to create a dynamic and impactful program for minority and women-owned businesses and support Rebuild’s goal of providing equitable opportunities for work on Rebuild projects,” said Nicole Westerman, Executive Director of Rebuild. “We know that Talson’s years of experience in construction consulting and understanding of the challenges faced by small businesses in the construction industry will be invaluable throughout this process.”
Rebuild is a seven-year, $500 million investment in Philadelphia’s parks, recreation centers, playgrounds and libraries. Proposed in Mayor Jim Kenney’s first budget as a part of his vision for a more equitable Philadelphia for all, Rebuild is made possible by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax. It has three pillars: improving community spaces; empowering and engaging communities; and promoting economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion.
To promote economic opportunity, Rebuild aims to serve as a model for diversity and inclusion in the skilled labor sector. Rebuild will develop a business supports program for minority- and women-owned businesses to assist these small businesses in overcoming the obstacles that they have faced historically in competing for contracts, construction and professional services, with the City. These obstacles, which include lack of capital and inability to meet insurance requirements to name a few, will be addressed through the business supports program that Talson helps develop. By identifying and developing solutions to these challenges, participating M/W/DBSEs will be better able to compete for work on Rebuild projects and grow their capacity to compete for other contracting opportunities in the future.
“The City of Philadelphia is committed to utilizing W/M/DSBEs throughout the Rebuild initiative, and in order to do that we must thoughtfully engage these firms and help them build the capacity needed for Rebuild contracts,” said Iola Harper, Deputy Commerce Director for the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). “I am particularly excited to see Talson, a well-respected minority firm from the Office of Economic Opportunity’s registry, tapped for this opportunity. The OEO looks forward to working with Talson and the Rebuild team to create more access and more opportunity for local minority-, women-, and disabled-owned firms.”
Additionally, Rebuild will develop a workforce development program, which was announced June 27and called PHL Pipeline, that will help participants to find family-sustaining employment in the construction industry. Read more about this program here.
The contract opportunity was posted on eContract Philly in February 2017. In total, there were nine respondents, the majority of which were minority- or women owned business entities. The proposals were evaluated by an inter-departmental group of seven individuals, including a City Council representative. Talson Solutions LLC’s proposal was found to be “responsive and responsible” by the Office of Economic Opportunity. The contract will not exceed $424,190.
To learn more about Rebuild, log on to rebuild.phila.gov.