HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020 Annual Diversity ReportDIVERSITY
ANNUAL REPORT
ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT FY2020
2 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
MSD’s AUTHENTIC
COMMITMENT
MSD’s Manager of Diversity
Programs shares how a
deep-rooted and authentic
commitment to diversity is the
foundation of MSD programs.
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Please note, data in the report is valid as of September 2020. As project documentation is finalized, precise numbers may fluctuate.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
DIVERSITY CORE VALUES
FY2020 DISPARITY
STUDY UPDATE
LEVELING THE
PLAYING FIELD
INCLUSION BY DESIGN
SMALL
CONTRACTOR PROGRAM
WOMEN IN
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
PROGRAMS
THAT BUILD
MSD AN ESSENTIAL
SERVICE
YEAR IN REVIEW
LOOK AHEAD
PARTNERING WITH MSD
Lemay West Wastewater Treatment Plant
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 3
Fiscal Year 2020 held many unforeseen changes for the Metropolitan
St. Louis Sewer District (MSD). Although MSD, and the rest of the
world, faced bold, new challenges—our commitment to our customers,
contractors, and the region we serve, has never wavered. As Essential
Services, our projects, diversity initiatives, and workforce goals remain a
primary focus as we navigate the new realities of COVID-19.
In this third edition of MSD’s Annual Diversity Report, we tell the stories
of MSD staff, contractors, and the impacts to operations and activities
caused by COVID-19. We are happy to share with you the data of our
Capital Improvement and Replacement Programs (CIRP)—construction
utilization (FY20), design utilization (FY20), small contactor program
(FY20), and other program highlights of diversity annual updates.
We hope you find this report useful and informative. We welcome your
comments and suggestions on how we might improve future reports to
meet your needs.
BRIAN HOELSCHER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO
4 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
SHONNAH PAREDES
MANAGER OF DIVERSITY PROGRAMS
SHONNAH PAREDES
Manager of Diversity Programs
LARRY WOODS
Diversity Construction
Supervisor
SHEILA THOMAS
Account Associate Senior
YULANDA BRADY
M/WBE Compliance Specialist
MIKAL HICKS
M/WBE Compliance Specialist
MARNITA SPIGHT
M/WBE Compliance Specialist
GARY FORD
M/WBE Compliance Inspector
JEREMY GRISBY
M/WBE Compliance Inspector
VANADA JOHNSON
M/WBE Compliance Inspector
DENICE JONES
M/WBE Compliance Inspector
BRIAN WARD
M/WBE Compliance Inspector
DIVERSITY
TEAM
Like many public organizations, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District’s
Business Diversity Programs experienced unprecedented challenges
by the end of its fiscal year 2020 (June 30, 2020). Adaptation and
responsiveness as an Essential Service were crucial in keeping with
our mission to provide a safe environment. MSD remains committed
to diversity and inclusion principles to support community-based
partnerships and involvement throughout the region. Although the
unforeseen magnitude and significance of events in 2020 are something
that no one could have reasonably planned for, it has strengthened our
expectations for living up to our values.
MSD’s Annual Diversity Program results represent the level of
commitment for continuous improvement of the health and safety
of the environment, our residents, and ratepayers. MSD reaffirms its
commitment to remain consistent with building a genuinely diverse and
inclusive workforce and supply chain.
MSD has commissioned the next analysis of its prime and subcontractor
performance by conducting an update to the 2012 Disparity Study for
the next five-year period (2013-2017) by Mason Tillman and Associates.
MSD anticipates the release of results by the end of its current fiscal
year (June 30, 2021).
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 5
VISION
Support an environment
that promotes diversity
and equality for all.
MISSION
Aid in efforts to
continuously improve the
health, safety, and water
environment of our
residents and ratepayers
through business
practices that represent
a commitment to
inclusivity and equality.
AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE
INTEGRITY
Promote ethical behavior at all
times. Treat others fairly and with
respect.
COMMUNITY
Invest and reaffirm commitment
to be involved with efforts that
promote strategies that address
challenges unmet.
TEAMWORK
Believe in working together to
accomplish our mission through
open communication, trust, respect,
and diversity.
INNOVATION
Strive to continuously improve and
embrace innovative ideas that help
achieve excellence.
EMPLOYEES
Help everyone to reach their
highest potential, and value each
person’s contributions toward
achieving inclusive success.
CUSTOMERS
Build resilient relationships by
providing services and programs
that are representative of the
communities we serve.
MSD’s diversity team is committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion. Our commitment is strengthened
by promoting a culture which drives economic empowerment into the communities we live and work in. We shall
strive to uphold key measures of equality and inclusivity with our Diversity programming.
6 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
MSD CONDUCTSDISPARITY STUDY
ESTABLISHED NEW M/WBE GOALS
ESTABLISHED WORKFORCE GOALS FOR PROJECTS OVER $500,000
2012 2013 - 2015
SIGNED COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT
INTRODUCED FIRST SOURCE HIRING AND BUD TRAINING PROGRAM WITH SLATE
LAUNCHED SIUE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
PARTNERED WITH ST. LOUIS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
2018
MSD BOARD COMMISSIONED DISPARITY UPDATE
MASON TILLMAN & ASSOCIATES CONTRACTED TO PERFORM THE UPDATE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISPARITY STUDY RESULTS
2020 - 2021
2019 DISPARITY STUDY TEAM
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 7
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
(MSD) is committed to a culture which
promotes inclusiveness of diversity across
the organization. As such, it’s a priority at
MSD to focus efforts in areas of workforce
development and programming which assist
minority- and women-owned businesses to
be successful.
In early 2019, MSD announced it would
conduct an update to its 2012 Disparity
Study. Results from the initial study were
implemented a little over six years ago and
became the agent for the magnitude of
expansive offerings of diverse initiatives
currently in place at MSD. The current
environment includes contractor goal
percentages for the utilization of MBE’s/WBE’s,
staffing of MWBE Compliance Inspectors, on-
the-job trainings, internships, scholarships,
and other diverse programs and initiatives.
“While the pandemic has impacted our short-
term plans for completing the disparity study
update at an earlier date this year, we’ve
continued to forge ahead even during the
COVID-19 crisis,” said Shonnah Paredes, MSD’s
Manager of Diversity Programs.
MSD established with its Board and
Stakeholders that the District would
assess progress made with addressing the
disparities identified by the original 2012
study. Therefore, the update will include
identification of any statistically significant
disparities in award of MSD Capital
contracts to MWBE’s; validation that goal
percentages for the utilization of MWBE’s
on MSD contracts are fair and equitable in
the distribution of awards and payments to
MWBE’s; and validation of workforce goal
percentages for the utilization of minorities,
women, and apprentices on MSD projects.
The comprehensive update analysis will also
analyze availability of diverse participation
on MSD’s Capital Program contracts. Finally,
MSD’s current diversity programming, systems,
practices, and processes will be reviewed to
ensure fair and equitable business practices
allow for fair and competitive opportunities
for those companies who want to do business
with MSD.
Mason Tillman and
Associates, LTD, a
minority-and woman-
owned firm, conducted
the original Disparity
Study in 2012, thereby
establishing the original
baseline data and
methodology that will be used to conduct the
current update. The firm brings experience and
qualifications in preparing comprehensive and
legally sound disparity studies representative
of having conducted over 141 unchallenged
disparity studies since 1990. Considered to
be subject matter industry experts, the project
team of professionals holds advanced degrees
in statistics, mathematics, computer science,
social science and law. “We anticipate that
the Disparity Study Update will be completed
in this fiscal year and that MSD will begin
implementation plans of the results by the
beginning of our next fiscal year, which starts
July 1, 2021.”
DISPARITYSTUDY UPDATE
FY2020
8 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer
District’s (MSD) workforce initiatives
seeks to positively impact employee
career choices by offering pathways
that help employees reach their high-
est potential. Sheila Thomas joined
MSD Engineering Department’s Cen-
tral Files Group in 2014. Her position
as an Office Associate allowed her to
support multiple MSD departments
and learn the various aspects of how
each division operates throughout the
organization.
In 2018 Sheila transferred onto MSD’s
Diversity team. “It has been great for
my career development,” Thomas said.
Since joining Diversity, Sheila has earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration
and become instrumental in furthering the development of MSD’s Diversity Reporting
System for tracking and monitoring compliance. “I have learned a lot about how MSD
programs provide real opportunities for minority and women contractors,” she said. Her
desire to assist MSD contractors is evident to all she encounters. In 2019, Sheila re-
ceived a promotion to Account Associate Senior which plays an integral part to the MSD
Diversity team efforts. She serves as the point of contact for MSD’s prime contractors,
subcontractors and internal customers in providing the technical resources they need.
“Specifically, she is the MDR (MSD Diversity Reporting) guru that holds it all together
between the District and the contractors,” stated Manager of Diversity Programs, Shon-
nah Paredes. Sheila is enthusiastic and a true champion who is proud to be a part of
a division that is responsible for working directly in the community to assist and help
under-utilized, minority- and women-owned businesses. “It feels good being a part of
that process,” Thomas said. “A minority contractor can start out in our small contractor
program then continue to grow through the opportunities available at MSD; they can
aim for the bigger projects, and I’m here to help them.”
LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD
SHEILA THOMAS
ACCOUNT ASSOCIATE SENIOR
Diversity has
been great
for my career
development.
Sheila Thomas
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 9
Rebecca Barefoot Losli, P.E., is Program Manager Planning, an engineering division
of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD). She manages 20 civil engineers
who produce conceptual plans and preliminary studies for MSD projects. Losli
also manages field service contractors who produce information “we use to better
plan for future investments. Their reports also support our investigations to better
understand problems and advance solutions,” Losli said.
She is also actively involved in MSD’s community engagement initiatives.
At community meetings, Rebecca discusses infrastructure projects and she
coordinates solutions for homeowners, one-on-one. “I do enjoy engaging
customers as part of my job, and I want to make customer service rewarding,”
she said.
FY2020: CIRP DESIGN UTILIZATION
DESIGN CONTRACTS AWARDED: 11 TOTAL: $2,604,773TOTAL PAID TO PRIMES: $17,437,473
FY2020: DESIGN WORKFORCE UTILIZATION
*Watershed contracts were amended to current workforce goals
37.3%
WOMEN(goal: 32%)
37% 2019
35% 2018
33% 2017
17.7% 2020
MINORITY(goal: 18%)
16% 2019
16% 2018
15% 2017M/WBE ACTIVECONTRACT PAYMENTS
MBE$6,245,859WBE$1,759,861TOTAL$8,005,720M/WBECOMMITMENTS
MBE$736,789WBE$223,345TOTAL$960,134%
TOTAL DESIGN PROFESSIONALS WORKFORCE: 55%
28.2 8.5%36.8%35.8%10.1%45.9%
2020
INCLUSION BY DESIGN
FY2020: DESIGN UTILIZATION
REBECCA BAREFOOT LOSLI, P.E.
PROGRAM MANAGER PLANNING
10 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
FY2020: SMALL CONTRACTORS PROGRAM
PB | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
FY2020 WORK ORDERS
TOTAL PROGRAM WORK ORDERS: 341
TOTAL M/WBE WORK ORDERS: 102
FY2019 PROGRAM SPEND
SANITARY IR - $2,023,902OMCI STORM - $1,636,419TOTAL - $3,660,321
M/WBE$697,405M/WBE$507,269TOTAL$1,204,67429.9%
FY2020 M/WBE
PARTICIPATION
M/WBE DOLLARS
M/WBE PERCENTAGE OF PROGRAM DOLLARS
38.1%201820192020$1,350,628
32.9%
$1,204,674
34.4%31%
34.6%
$1,605,200
10 | FY 2019 DIVERSITY REPORT
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 11
Hector Maldonado started Aztec Construction Specialties, LLC four years ago. He used his
construction background and experience to get certified as a MBE contractor with the City
of St. Louis and quickly got pre-qualified to participate on MSD’s Small Contractor Program
in 2016.
The Small Contractor Program
is designed to help small firms
with limited exposure and
experience in the sewer industry
to gain valuable experience in
the sewer construction industry.
These firms perform all work
as a prime which increases
their ability to build capital and
capacity. The small projects
(under $50,000) have no
bonding requirements, fewer
up-front capital demands, and
an informal low bid process
that restricts the competition
to like-sized firms. Typical project opportunities include but are not limited to Point Repair
Replacement of Sewers, Inlet/Manhole Repair, Small Sewer Extensions, Primate Inflow
Removals, and SSP (Sewer Separation) Projects.
By competing in MSD’s small contractor space, Hector gained valuable sewer industry
experience through his company’s extensive volume of work with the Metropolitan St.
Louis Sewer District (MSD). “Initially, we worked on the small program, doing small repairs
and maintenance,” said Maldonado. “Over this short time, we have grown our capacity for
projects above $500,000.” Participating in the Small Contractor Program provided the
necessary foundation for Aztec to now compete for higher valued MSD projects in MSD’s
Capital Program. “We have done about 100 projects. MSD is great to work with and very
helpful,” says Maldonado.
Aztec is a prime example of how a small business can successfully start out with limited
capital, use programs such as MSD’s Small Contractor Program to build capacity and with
the right resources and business model can reach their intended goals and objectives for
sustainable growth even through a pandemic.
Even with COVID-19, Aztec Construction Specialties, LLC has been able to move forward and
adapt. Maldonado explains that he wants his staff to be safe in the office as well as in the
field. They are taking every precaution to get the jobs done safely and on time.
HECTOR MALDONADO
AZTEC CONSTRUCTION SPECIALTIES, LLC
SMALL CONTRACTOR
341
MSD projects
qualified for the
small contractor
program this year.
50%
opportunity for
M/WBEs to perform
as a prime on
each bid.
$50,000
maximum dollar
amount is considered
a small contract
with MSD.
12 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
Women-owned businesses represent 36
percent of all U.S. based companies. Half
of those businesses are in the following
categories: personal services, healthcare,
and professional/technical services,
according to the U.S Census Bureau. Among
these businesses, African American/ Black
women-owned businesses continue to lead
in the number of new start-ups.
Just two years after founding Excel Business
Concepts (Excel BC), a certified minority-
and women-owned (M/WBE) led by Crystal
Allen Dallas, she secured her first sub-
contract with the Metropolitan St. Louis
Sewer District (MSD.) Three years later,
Excel BC is part of the public engagement
consultant team assisting with MSD Project
Clear (MSDPC), a $7 billion infrastructure
improvement effort.
Crystal credits MSD’s strong commitment to
diversity with helping her succeed. “Working
with MSD has been a great opportunity
for me as a small business. It is another
example that the processes and programs
MSD have in place ensure access for all,”
she said.
Since 2016, Excel BC has contributed to numerous MSD projects, including MSDPC
Public Engagement Consultant Team; MSD Know Your Zone; MSD Customer Assistance
Program (CAP), the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Project, Making
Sewers Dynamic: Exploring 2 Utilities as ONE and MSD Diversity Division’s Annual Report.
“MSD is the fourth largest sewer district in the country. Having the opportunity to work
with an organization of this size has helped to grow my business,” Allen Dallas said,
adding, “But it also says from an industry perspective, ‘This company has what it takes
to succeed at this level.’”
WOMEN INPROFESSIONAL SERVICES
CRYSTAL ALLEN DALLAS
EXCEL BUSINESS CONCEPTS
Working with
MSD has
been a great
opportunity
for me as a
small business.
It is another
example that
the processes
and programs
MSD have in
place ensure
access for all.
Crystal Allen
Dallas
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 13
FY2019: CIRP CONSTRUCTION UTILIZATION
SIXETY-EIGHTNON-BUILDING(17% African American MBE )
ELEVENSTATE FUNDED(10% mbe/10% wbe)
FOURUNDER $50K(no goals)
$143,794,021 TOTAL AWARDS TO PRIMES
79CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED
M/WBE COMMITMENTS
M/WBE ACTIVE CONTRACTS
TOTAL PAID TO PRIMES: $224,073,856MBE$18,276,032WBE$16,282,553TOTAL$34,558,58512.7%11.3%24%MBE$31,435,398WBE$22,075,816TOTAL$53,511,2149.8%23.8%14%
FY2020: CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION
FY2020: CONSTRUCTION
WORKFORCE UTILIZATION
581,233 HOURSBUILDING CONSTRUCTION /NON-BLDG CONSTRUCTION
goal: 30% MINORITY | 7% WOMEN 40% APPRENTICE (if used)
151,037 HOURSSTATE FUNDED
goal: 14.7% MINORITY | 6.9% WOMEN
161 ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTSWITH WF GOALS
goal: 14.7% MINORITY | 6.9% WOMEN
732,271 HOURSTOTAL WORKED
*Workforce applies to construction contracts exceeding $500,000
**Workforce applies to State Funded Construction contracts exceeding $10,000
26.7 %29.6%29.7%201820192020MINORITY - 30 %
HOURS - 196,065UNDER GOAL - 23,616
7.0%
6.0%7.0%201820192020WOMEN - 7.0%
HOURS - 52,513OVER GOAL - 1,255
APPRENTICE - 40 %
HOURS - 60,412OVER GOAL - 22,694
14 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
BUD SUCCESS BY THE NUMBERS:
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
(MSD) is committed to supporting
initiatives that seek to address the
demand for a trained and qualified
minority and female workforce. The
Building Union Diversity (BUD) training
program, nationally recognized for its
community impact, was established in
2014. It is a five-week union construction
pre-apprenticeship program. The program
is available for free to qualifying
minorities, women, and military veterans.
While efforts had to pivot due to
COVID-19, the BUD program adjusted to
continue to administer the program. The
program boasts a 92 percent completion
rate.
“BUD provides both job and personal
support services that offer participants
and placed graduates the best possible
chance for success,” said Russ Signorino,
BUD Program Director.
PROGRAMS THAT BUILD
BUD provides
both job and
personal support
services that offer
participants and
placed graduates
the best possible
chance for
success.
Russ Signorino,
Building Union
Diversity (BUD)
Program
MSD WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
GRANT PROGRAM
83%
placement rate of
program graduates
250
completed the
pre-apprenticeship
program over the
last six years
19
BUD cohorts
graduated since
2014
14 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 15
ERTC SCHOLARSHIPS
Provides minorities and women
with opportunities for education,
internships, and employment with-
in the wastewater and stormwater
treatment plant industry.
One way MSD keeps its capital program inclusive and representative of the
St. Louis population is via the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), a formal
agreement with community organizations addressing diverse workforce
participation, business development, and obstacles related to developing
a diverse labor pool and contracting community. The CBA supports the
development of initiatives that address these issues.
EDUCATION AND
INTERNSHIP
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
AGREEMENT
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 15
BUD PARTNERS
Associated General Contractors
CWIT
Employment Connections
Epworth
Father’s Support Center
St. Vincent DePaul
St. Louis Community Credit Union
St. Louis County Workforce Development
SLATE
United Way of Greater St. Louis
TWO FULL-RIDE SCHOLAR-SHIPS AWARDEDFY20
COMPLETED ALL CLASSROOM REQUIREMENTS
COMPLETED TWO INTERNSHIPS
SCHEDULED TO TAKE CERTIFICATION EXAMS
COMPLETED ALL CLASSROOM REQUIREMENTS
COMPLETED INTERNSHIP
2 - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
2 - OPERATIONS
1-MINORITY MALE
1- FEMALE
ST. LOUIS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2020
CBA SIGNATORIES
Coalition of Black Trade Unionist
CORE
MCC
Metropolitan Congregations United
MOKAN
M-SLICE
NAACP City Branch
NAACP County Branch
National Society of Black Engineers
Universal African Peoples Organization
16 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
PEGGY CARLISLE-TAYLOR, OWNERRAINBOW CONNECTION, INC.PROJECT(S): MALINE, DEER CREEK, AND KINGSLAND TANK
“Thankfully, we have been
able to still work on the MSD
projects or a lot of us would
be out of business. Thank
you so very much!”
VICKI LAROSE, PRESIDENTCIVIL DESIGN, INC.PROJECT(S): KINGLAND SANITARY STORAGE FACILITY
“Our project continued on
as planned, which help keep
our team members working.
This project adapted to
remote working quickly.”
SPENCER MASON, PRINCIPALDAVE MASON AND ASSOCIATESPROJECT(S): REHAB PROJECTS – SEWER CLEANING AND TELEVISING
“Working on projects during
this pandemic has made
us (DMA) hyper aware of
our surroundings and the
needed safety measures
day to day. It has made us
appreciate the opportunity
to continue working safety.”
MSD:
HOW HAS WORKING
ON MSD PROJECT(S)
IMPACTED YOUR
BUSINESS DURING
COVID-19?
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) is a wastewater and stormwater
utility and defined as an “Essential Service” to maintain 100 percent of its operations.
The organization quickly adapted to a rapidly changing environment during the
COVID-19 crisis. This required immediate, drastic and necessary variations of operating
and communicating to meet the demands for providing wastewater and stormwater
management services during a crisis situation. MSD responded without hesitation in
deploying efforts to preserve all stakeholders, employees, and contractors’ safety and
well-being.
In doing so, minority-and women-owned businesses have also continued to maintain
performance on MSD projects during the economic downturn of 2020. There is still
much work yet to do, however, MSD consistently emphasize to consultant, contractors,
and suppliers alike that now more than ever is a time when work opportunities are
crucial and serve a vital role in the restoration of jobs in the communities of MSD’s
service area.
AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE
16 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 17 METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 17
A YEAR IN REVIEW
Left: Shonnah Paredes receives the 2019 Public Sector Executive of the Year MOKAN 45th
Awards Dinner (Shonnah Paredes, Larry Woods, Brian Hoelscher, Yulanda Brady, Treinnea
Russell).
Right: 2019 Construction Career Day
Left: 2019 Construction Career Day
Right: Shonnah Paredes receives the 2019 Service to the People Award from the American
Society of Civil Engineers. As pictured: Brian Hoelscher, Michael Buechter, Larry Woods,
Michelle Meier.
* All photos in this section were taken prior to the implementation of pandemic restrictions.
18 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
LARGE INCINERATOR PROJECT
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District manages approximately 4,700 miles of wastewater
and force mains, 3,000 miles of stormwater sewers and force mains, and seven wastewater
treatment plants to treating an average of 350 million gallons of water every day (mgd).
MSD intends to replace the existing multiple-hearth incinerator at both its Bissell Point and
Lemay treatment facilities with newer Fluidized Bed Incinerator (FBI) technology. MSD will
engage in an open, competitive design-build procurement for the improvements at both
plants. Interested parties may request meetings with the District to ask questions or express
interest in the Project. MSD asks that all inquiries be through Rich Unverferth, Director of
Engineering, who can be reached at (314) 768-6285.
DESIGN-BUILD PROCUREMENT PROCESS
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is slated for release in the first half of 2021 as a design-
build project. Up to three design-build teams may be short-listed from the qualification
submittals received. These teams will then be issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), which will
include design concepts that have been developed to approximately 30 percent completion.
The short-listed teams will then be given ample time to develop the design concept to a
completion level (roughly 60 percent complete or more) that will allow the team to submit
a fixed price proposal for the project.
At this time, the District estimates the following level of investment for this project:
>> Pre-Selected Equipment: Estimated $140-$160 million
>> Design Build Contract (excluding Pre-Selected Equipment):
Estimated $350-$400 million
To learn more about this project visit: msprojectclear.org/smu
LOOK AHEAD
2020
2021
2022
2023
PROJECT
TIMELINE
INDUSTRY DAY
PRE-SELECTEDEQUIPMENT DECISION
REQUEST FORQUALIFICATIONS
REQUEST FORPROPOSALS
NOTICE TO PROCEED
COMPLETEANTICIPATED 3 YEARS2026
18 | FY 2020 DIVERSITY REPORT
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 19
PARTNERING WITH MSD
CONTRACTOR RESOURCES
ENGINEERING
Sharon Holt | 314. 768.6285
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTING
Lisa Treat | 314.768.6269
SMALL CONTRACTOR PROGRAM
Michael Buetcher | 314.768.2772
DIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Shonnah Paredes | 314.768.6395
COMMODITIES
Gina Jamison | 314.768.6314
ACCEPTABLE M/WBE
CERTIFYING PARTNERS
If your company is certified as a minority- or woman-owned business,
or you wish to learn more about the certification programs or how to
become certified, visit msdprojectclear.org or contact Diversity Programs
at 314.768.6395. Acceptable M/WBE certifying partners include:
CITY OF ST. LOUIS
flystl.diversitycompliance.com
314.426.8111
MISSOURI STATE OFFICE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
oeo.mo.gov/oeo_certifications
573.751.8130
As the clean water provider for the Metro area, the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is committed to doing
its part to contribute to the continued economic growth of the communities in its service areas. The utility
continuously seeks to identify certified minority- and women-owned businesses in the areas of engineering
design, construction, service and supplies contractors.
MSD IN THE
COMMUNITY
The following annual
events provide opportunity
for both interested people
and companies to connect
with MSD throughout the
year. The dates are subject
to change, please check our
website or call us for up-to-
date times, dates and places.
JANUARY 2021
MSD Annual Design
Industry Forecast
Presentation
FEBRUARY 2021
Site Improvement
Association
Infrastructure Expo
APRIL 2021
MSD Annual Construction
Capital Improvement and
Replacement Program
Presentation
ONGOING
Diversity Fairs for Tunnel
and Storage Facility
Projects
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
2350 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103-2555
314.768.6260
diversity@stlmsd.com
msdprojectclear.org/diversity