Contractors and consultants recognized for achievements on City of Austin projects

The City of Austin names the 2011 Small Businesses of the Year, in addition to Contractor of the Year and Consultant of the Year.

Harvey-Cleary Builders and K Friese & Associates, Inc. were selected, respectively, as Contractor of the Year for work on the City’s Public Safety Training Program, and Consultant of the Year for work on the Austin Clean Water Program in addition to numerous other City projects.

The Small and Minority Business Resources (SMBR) department honors contractors and consultants each year who participate in the City’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Procurement Program, in addition to graduates of the program.

SMBR celebrates diversity by recognizing businesses that promote and encourage minorities and women to participate in business contracts with the City. Companies are selected based on number of successful City projects, integrity and work ethic, and community outreach efforts.

“Our Small Businesses of the Year are companies that have an average of 22 years of experience working on projects such as the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility, Boyce Lane Transmission Lane, Austin Bergstrom International Airport Slopes Survey and the Circle C Ranch Metro Park project, just to name a few,” said Veronica Briseño Lara, SMBR Director. “We’re very proud of the impact that they have made within our community.”

Small Businesses of the Year:

Baer Engineering and Environmental Consulting, Inc. Hejl, Lee & Associates, Inc. HVJ Associates, Inc. Macias & Associates, L.P. Two companies now exceed the Small Business Administration’s size standards and are now honored as alumni of the SMBR program:

2011 MBE/WBE Graduates:

Beard Integrated Systems, Inc. Link America, Inc. In addition, SMBR recognizes service providers, including the Asian Contractor Association, Austin Area Black Contractors Association, Community Mentor Protégé Initiative, and U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association, for assistance with outreach efforts throughout the year.

Small businesses certified as minority- and/or women-owned enterprises can be found on the Certified Vendors Directory at www.austintexas.gov/smbr.

About Small and Minority Business Resources The City of Austin’s Small and Minority Business Resources Department assists small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses as they pursue contracting opportunities with the City of Austin; encourages Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Woman Business Enterprises (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) to participate in City contracts; certifies qualified Small Business Enterprises (SBE) for the Small Business Construction Program; provides bonding education; and oversees the City’s MBE/WBE and DBE contracting goals in the areas of construction, professional services, commodities and non-professional services.

Contact: Blender Hill, SMBR Outreach Coordinator, (512) 974-7677