San Diego Community College District

The San Diego Community College District has recognized seven recipients for its fifth annual Contractor Recognition Program, honoring six firms for their exemplary performance as small or historically underutilized firms in construction or professional services, and one large contractor for best practices in engaging small and historically underutilized businesses. 

“The San Diego Community College District is very proud of the participation of small and historically underutilized businesses on the District’s $1.555 billion Propositions S and N Construction Bond Program,” said Constance M. Carroll, Chancellor. “Our Recognition Program was established, in part, to highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of firms that embody our commitment to diversity and excellence in contracting and employment.”

To date, 1,146 contracts for Propositions S- and N-related work have been issued to firms certified as small, disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned, or disabled veteran-owned, or approximately 57% of all bond program contracts, totaling nearly $346 million.

“We believe the investment in smaller firms is an investment into the economic well-being of San Diego’s workforce,“ added Carroll. “These are prevailing-wage jobs that enable our contractors to live, work, and raise families in San Diego.” 

The awards recognize the accomplishments of design and construction firms for the period of January 1 through December 31, 2015. Awards were presented to seven businesses in the following categories:

Small, diverse businesses for construction and professional services

The District’s Recognition Awards for small and historically underutilized businesses (S/HUBE) acknowledge excellence in each nominated firm’s respective discipline or skillset, and in their performance on Propositions S and N projects.

Award recipients demonstrate adherence to the District’s design, building, and safety standards, assure on-time delivery within budget, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.

- Recognition Award for Exemplary Performance by a Disabled-Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) and a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) in Construction

Southern California Soil & Testing, Inc.

Established in 1959, SCST provides professional services in the areas of geotechnical engineering, and special inspection & materials testing. The Grantville-based company has been certified as a small business since 2008, and as a disabled veteran-owned businesses since 2013. They have provided test and inspection services for multiple bond projects. They are being recognized for work that has been consistently professional, timely, and accurate which greatly contributes to successful project completions. They are very accommodating to the District’s needs and requirements. 

- Recognition Award for Exemplary Performance by a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) and a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) in Professional Services

Davy Architecture

Founded in 1984, Davy Architecture is based in San Diego’s East Village. The firm has been certified as a disabled veteran-owned business and a small business since 2011, serving the educational, healthcare, civic, and commercial and residential markets. They have worked on multiple Propositions S and N design projects, and are recognized for their ability to meet the end users’ needs while maintaining a budget contributes to consistent project successes. Davy is currently overseeing the construction of the Mesa Campus Facilities Support Area.     

- Recognition Award for Exemplary Performance by a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise and a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) in Professional Services

Consolidated Building Systems, Inc.

CBSI is a La Mesa-based father and son firm providing project management and relocation services for several SDCCD campuses. They have been certified as a small business since 2009, and as a disabled veteran-owned business since 2012, and this is the second time they have been recognized on the Propositions S & N program. CBSI is recognized for their organizational skills, flexibility, and communication skills in ensuring consistent project successes. They are excellent to work with and well-liked by everyone they work with.

- Recognition Award for Exemplary Performance by a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) in Professional Services

MA Engineers

Established over 20 years ago, MA Engineers is a Sorrento Valley-based firm which has been certified as a small business since 2007. They have worked on a variety of Propositions S & N projects providing both design and commissioning services. They are recognized for providing services that are consistently timely, accurate, and within budget.  They keep the District’s best interest in mind and can be counted on to develop cost                                                                                                  effective solutions to any issue.

- Recognition Award for Exemplary Performance by a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) in Professional Services

Zagrodnik + Thomas Architects

Established in 1991, Zagrodnik + Thomas Architects is a North Park-based award-winning design partnership serving the educational, residential and commercial markets, and performing feasibility studies. ZTA has been certified as a small business since 2010. Their services to Propositions S & N have included the Miramar Library/Learning Resource Center (LLRC) and the Miramar A100 Remodel. Their designs and oversight services are professional, timely, and accurate. They are well liked by the                                                                                                          faculty and staff.

 - Recognition Award for Exemplary Performance by a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) in Construction 

Choctaw Construction Company

Choctaw Construction, based in Ramona, is a general building contractor established in 1992 and is certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). Choctaw was nominated for work performed at City College. Choctaw performed their work with professionalism and completed the project on time and within budget. They were easy to work with and successfully implemented the project with regards to labor compliance, inspections, testing, quality control and overall site management among their trades. They had very few change orders, and they were a pleasure to work with.

Construction and Professional Services

Recognition Awards for Construction and Professional Services acknowledge contractors and consultants that demonstrate a strong commitment to the District’s Small Contractor Outreach Program objectives and achievements.

Innovative and successful strategies to mitigate barriers, promote economic opportunity, build capacity and enhance business sustainability for small and historically underutilized businesses were considered as part of the award evaluation process.

- Recognition Award for Exemplary Small Business Outreach & Engagement Practices in Construction

PK Mechanical

PK Mechanical has provided utility construction services on numerous Propositions S & N projects as a trade contractor and a prime contractor.  As a key contractor on the Miramar College Southern Campus Improvements project, PK Mechanical had the opportunity to bring in four lower-tier contractors.  Three were small and historically underutilized businesses – including Sealright Paving of Spring Valley (DBE and SBE), LSI Road Markings of El Cajon (SBE), and Nasland Engineer of San Diego, an SBE surveyor. PK Mechanical provides quality work to the District in a timely cost effective manner and is very effective with their paperwork allowing completed projects to be closed out in a timely manner

The $1.555 billion Propositions S and N construction bond program provides new state-of-the-art instructional and career training facilities, major renovations, and campuswide infrastructure projects at City, Mesa and Miramar colleges and six Continuing Education campuses throughout San Diego.