In recent years, much of ADOT’s consultant services have also been assisted by FHWA and subject to DBE requirements.  The nature of procurement for professional services has required an adaptive approach to DBE utilization for consultants.

Kimley Horn and Associates has served ADOT for over 20 years on projects ranging from roadway/bridge design, landscape architecture, ITS/FMS, and transportation planning.  They are active on various ECS On-Call contracts.  The very nature of on-calls makes it hard to determine the exact levels of DBE participation to expect at the outset.  They have put together a team of firms that includes DBEs as meaningful participants and has committed to reaching the DBE goal as their contracts proceed.

Kimley Horn and Associates was begun like many of our small and emerging engineering consultants firms – by professionals with an expertise in transportation design with a passion to serve.  Kimley Horn has been involved in the development of DBEs through education and outreach.  Most recently, they provided a panelist at the Southern Arizona Conference to engage in dialogue with DBEs about working with ADOT and participated in the MAG networking events for Strategic Transportation Safety Plan and ITS/Transportation System Planning procurements.

Kimley Horn was founded in North Carolina and has grown to offices across the United States.  In Arizona, they have offices in Phoenix, Mesa, and Tucson.

A majority of ADOT’s federal assistance goes towards the maintenance, repair, and construction of the state’s interstate and highway system.  Today’s construction champion represents a glimpse of what we expect to see in ADOT’s future as we move towards smaller projects dispersed across the state.

Today’s Construction Champion honoree is Show Low Construction.  Show Low Construction is an Arizona based business, incorporated in Navajo County in 1986.  Show Low Construction mostly participates in ADOT projects that are less than $2 million in the northeastern quadrant of the state such as

• SR 264 TUBA CITY-WINDOW ROCK HIGHWAY where they are working on the Kykotsmovi-Oraibi Wash Tributary,
• SR 260 PAYSON-SHOW LOW HIGHWAY  where they are putting up elk fencing from Tonto Creek to Colcord, and
• SR 389 SHORT CREEK-FREDONIA HIGHWAY where they are constructing turn lanes at BIA Route 50 to improve highway safety
  

While these projects may not be the biggest projects in ADOT’s history, they create meaningful opportunities for the businesses that are involved in their construction.  Show Low Construction’s history of DBE use regularly exceeds 8%.  On their fencing job, they came in with DBE use of over 40%.

The DBE Trailblazer recognizes a firm that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit.  Trailblazer honorees in the past have shown longevity, innovation, growth, community involvement, and success in the face of adversity.  Today’s trailblazer has exhibited all of those characteristics.

ADOT’s DBE Trailblazer honoree is M&P Contracting, Inc.  M&P Contracting has been providing trucking and hauling services for 28 years.  They have a history of work on projects both with ADOT and many local government agencies.  They are a woman-owned firm certified as a DBE and a Phoenix SBE and have been active with the Construction Task Force and ADOT networking events.

Even through challenges and adversity, M&P Contracting has grown its fleet to provide quality services on multiple and large hauls.  Their motto is “You call, we haul.”