1.20.22

Local Subcontracting Opportunities

Wichita Water Partners hosted an in-person procurement and networking event at the Sedgwick County Zoo. The event provided an opportunity for local subcontractors to learn about available project work for Wichita’s Northwest Water Facility.

The $500 million project is anticipated to take 1.6 million trade hours to complete. Construction for the Northwest Water Facility is underway and additional work packages are being released through the project’s prime subcontractors– Dondlinger Construction, Wildcat Construction, UCI and PL2O.

Local subcontractors in attendance heard from project team leaders regarding available and upcoming work packages as well as how to get involved in the bid process.

Representatives from the Small Business Association and Kansas Business Services were present to discuss the resources available to small businesses looking to navigate the procurement process or get certified with the City of Wichita as an emerging business, woman-owned business, minority-owned business or disadvantaged business.

Attendees also heard from WSU Tech‘s Christopher Wyant, Dean of Applied Technologies. Dean Wyant discussed the university’s workforce development programs targeted at the construction industry, including their Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Following the presentation, attendees were invited to participate in a networking social to connect with project leaders, prime subcontractors, WSU Tech faculty and city leadership, including City Council Members Bryan Frye and Becky Tuttle.