How Will the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act Affect Bidding Strategies?

Christian Generes
President 
Landis Construction

As a general contractor who primarily focuses on commercial buildings, the Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) may seem like it doesn’t affect our business. However, it is all interconnected. The subcontractors and suppliers that we partner with to provide utilities, perform sitework and install foundations for our buildings are the same ones that will be proposing on the bridge, highway and infrastructure projects that connect those same buildings. Their workload most certainly will expand, so our bid strategy may need to focus on finding other parties to perform this work. Fortunately, we have the in-house capabilities and talent to self-perform this limited scope.

My hope, though, is that smaller, disadvantaged businesses take this excellent opportunity to expand their own capabilities. This is the perfect chance for a small trucking company to convert to a turnkey sitework contractor. We look forward to fostering such relationships and having them bid future work with us.

George Hedley
Business Coach 
Hardhat Presentations

The IIJA promises $1.5 billion for roads, bridges and rail repair, electric vehicle charging stations, internet broadband infrastructure, water pipe infrastructure, ports and airports and climate change issues. It also promotes the participation of union workers on these projects. In my opinion, it will take some time to get these projects designed and permitted. If you want to land some of these projects in the future, start bidding now and get experience performing this kind of work with union crews. Experience will give you an advantage when the work arrives.