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14City of South Bend - Madison Lifestyle District Phase I Parking Garage CMc <br />Submitted by: Garmong Construction <br />The development and inclusion of companion organizations from diverse backgrounds has been a focus of <br />Garmong Construction over the past several years. Embracing diverse partnerships throughout our 101-year <br />history, a concerted effort to identify firms that have combined talent with varying backgrounds has been a <br />measured deliverable for all our projects in the last decade. In 2022, Garmong delivered an 11.3% average <br />project participation (whether requested from the Owner or not) from diverse business enterprises on both public <br />and private endeavors. <br />For the recent MLK Dream Center project in collaboration with the City of South Bend, Garmong proudly <br />achieved an impressive 15.9% total XBE participation. By partnering with WBE and/or MBE-certified firms, we <br />not only met the project’s rigorous demands but also actively contributed to the growth and success of local small <br />businesses in the South Bend community. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering diversity, <br />equity, and inclusion in every project we undertake. <br />Over the past three years, Garmong completed a $12.0M police station in Lawrence, and was able to secure <br />17% XBE performance. We also secured nearly 54% XBE performance on the $4.0M, CMc-delivered Purdue <br />Brees Academic Center. Given what was the current supply and demand dynamic, this is significant participation <br />that surpasses the ordinance-based goal for the municipality and Purdue’s expectations imposed on campus- <br />based projects, respectively. This was achieved during a different time in the marketplace than we face currently. <br />It would be natural to recite that the labor supply for construction in Indiana (across the country) was at an all <br />time low. Prosperity in the region had allowed both the public and private sectors to forge ahead with new <br />projects to improve communities and grow companies. Unfortunately, the supply of qualified labor was not <br />forthcoming. Because of COVID-19, and its stunning and immediate impact on the economy, the marketplace is <br />constantly shifting. Volatile material pricing and availability, coupled with a labor force struggling to keep pace, <br />requires daily review of an every-moving target. So how do we achieve participation when the winds of the <br />economy bring unpredictability? <br />Let’s discuss the Pre-Qualification option allowed under IC 5-32 for CMc. The Indiana General Assembly, with <br />intention, provided local units of government broad capability to work in concert with the CM to develop desired <br />or prescriptive “pre-qualifications” for subcontract bidders. These can incorporate the strict utilization of XBE/ <br />local contractors, should the Owner desire to do so. Hiring a firm that has been involved with public CMc <br />delivery since the very first project in Indiana is a good first step. Garmong possesses the unique (and verifiable) <br />understanding of IC 5-32 and how to develop these pre-qualifications criteria, in conjunction with you, the <br />Owner, to achieve desired outcomes without compromising the sanctity of the budget. <br />In this way, we can collectively align subcontractors based on their experience and current moment-to-moment <br />capacity with a package that they can qualify for and respond to. The area of general conditions also provides <br />an easy avenue to purchase site supplies (fencing, dumpsters, job trailers, etc.) directly from XBE/local suppliers. <br />Combining these types of efforts may yield success and reliable, reportable outcomes. <br />MBE and WBE Participation