The City's Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) revealed a forecast at the 2024 Philadelphia PAGE Real Estate and Construction Summit, indicating more than 130 potential contracting opportunities that could be a boon for local businesses, especially those from diverse backgrounds. This projection aims to enhance transparency and inclusion in city-funded infrastructure projects. The summit, a collaborative effort by Philadelphia’s Anchors for Growth and Equity (PAGE) and the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia (ELGP), pinpointed stages at the beginning of the construction process and emphasized the significance of diversity in construction hiring.
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson was featured in a "fireside chat" along with Jeffrey J. Smith of Global Synergies LLC and Kenyatta James from ELGP, discussing strategies for integrating more diverse firms into the development process. "If you’re a district councilperson, your leverage and your bully pulpit is if [developers] need your support," Johnson said at the summit, as reported by the City of Philadelphia. "You should be leveraging that in terms of making sure that whatever project goes through your district is equitable and it provides everybody to have an opportunity to at least be at the table and discuss what opportunities are available," Johnson added.
During the PAGE event, the IST displayed the ease of accessing information on upcoming projects via Phila.gov, with a promise of a forthcoming forecast update. Departments like the Department of Streets and the Philadelphia Water Department are among those listed with contract opportunities on the horizon. The scope of work spans numerous trades and seeks prime contractors and subcontractors skilled in areas such as Highway and Bridge Construction, Electrical Installation, Water and Sewer Structures, Manufacturing, Trucking, and Warehousing, as well as General Labor and Equipment Operation. Those interested in future contracts can view the Public Works Procurement Forecast on the City’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law program page, under the "Get Involved" section, as per the City of Philadelphia.
Looking forward, the City's next six-month update to the public works procurement forecast is scheduled for release on Thursday, October 10, 2024. IST plans to hold a related event during the Minority Enterprise Development Week at The Enterprise Center.
