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San Diego Unified’s 12th Annual Construction Expo

San Diego Unified’s 12th Annual Construction Expo Connects Local Businesses to Opportunities
Posted on 07/14/2022

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San Diego Unified Hosts 12th Annual Construction Expo

July 14, 2022

SAN DIEGO – Local contractors and construction professionals were out in force for the San Diego Unified School District’s 12th annual Construction Expo, one of the district's largest local business outreach initiatives.

The expo connects local businesses with contracting opportunities through Propositions S, Z, and Measure YY construction projects under the Business Outreach Program, an arm of the district’s Facilities Planning and Construction Department, and the 2021 California Department of General Services Reciprocity Partner of the Year and the 2022 Small Business Administration Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year.

Construction Expo 2022

The Business Outreach team recruits and supports new contractors, including minority-owned, disabled-veteran-owned, and women-owned business enterprises. The team works with these small and underutilized businesses to give them the tools and resources they need to bid on projects funded by San Diego Unified’s bond program.

“Small and emerging local businesses deserve access to information about our construction program,” said Alma Bañuelos, Small Business Coordinator for the district’s Business Outreach Program. “Whether we hold our expos online or in person, one thing is for sure: we will continue inviting diverse businesses to all our events so they have access to the many construction opportunities.”

Watch: San Diego Unified's 12th Annual Construction Expo Returns In-Person

Following two consecutive online expos, the 2022 event drew nearly 300 participants. The event featured 13 prime contractors and consultants, among other experts and community partners who offered guidance to prime subcontractors and other lower tier subcontractors and suppliers. Representatives from these organizations shared in-person advice, clarified procurement and project requirements, and dispensed invaluable tips for doing business with them and for winning subcontracts on San Diego Unified construction projects. The Business Outreach team worked diligently to reach out to the full spectrum of the San Diego construction industry. Expo attendees included contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and consultants of all tiers.

construction expo

Led by Manager Karen Linehan, the Business Outreach Program also issues the Business Outreach Newsletter to provide construction bond program updates, contracting information, upcoming bid opportunities, procurement news, and more. Her team also provides subcontractors with tools to network with general contractors, such as plan holder lists and pre-bid site walk attendance sheets.

With an effective business outreach operation, San Diego Unified’s school bond program becomes an engine to uplift local businesses and San Diego’s economy.

To date, more than 43% of project dollars have been awarded to emerging business enterprises. That’s over $1.08 billion for minority-owned, disabled veteran-owned, women-owned, and small business enterprises.

View: Construction Expo 2022 Photo Slideshow

The district’s bond-funded Capital Improvement Program has created a cumulative 42,067 job-years* using the U.S. Department of Transportation methodology.

“We’re thrilled to provide job opportunities in today’s fluctuating economy,” Linehan said. “Outreach events help our economy, while also ensuring our schools get the quality construction they deserve. It’s a win-win.”

For more information on the district’s business outreach efforts or how to do business with the district, please visit https://www.sandiegounified.org/business-outreach

*A job-year is one year of work for one person; a new construction job that lasts five years is five job-years. It is a more precise measure because an individual job may last for six months, a year, or a lifetime.