November 7, 2005 — Integrated Management Services (IMS), a Jackson, Miss.-based engineering firm of about 250 employees, is the latest Mississippi small business to win a key role with Bechtel National, Inc., Frederick, Md., in providing housing for Hurricane Katrina victims. Designated a “small disadvantaged business” by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), IMS was recently awarded a subcontract of close to $1 million to provide engineering services in support of Bechtel's contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The subcontract's scope includes detailed designs of greenfield housing sites, conceptual designs of emergency group sites, and evaluation of city, county, and state requirements and building codes.
Since early September, Bechtel has been working in Mississippi to house families displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The company has made more than 15,000 temporary housing units ready for occupancy, providing shelter to more than 38,500 people. On average, more than 400 units a day are being made ready for occupancy. Mississippi subcontractors like IMS have played a key role in Bechtel's effort. With help from local construction industry groups, 60% of Bechtel's subcontracts have been awarded to firms in Mississippi and 73% to firms in the Gulf region — 85 percent of which are small businesses.
"We are a local resource, with the capability and expertise to assist with the rebuilding of Mississippi," says Rod Hill, president and COO of IMS, which is based in an area of Jackson designated by the SBA as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone.
"Its been a great experience working with Bechtel," Hill says. "We have one common goal: Get this state back up and running. We have many clients along the Gulf Coast. Katrina caused a major interruption to our business. We wanted the opportunity to provide services and help with recovery and reconstruction, and we are stretching ourselves to help meet the emergency housing needs of the people of Mississippi."
Bechtel has issued additional bid packages to local small businesses for civil works projects, hauling of temporary housing, construction of stairs and ramps for temporary housing, and construction of additional group sites.
"It is important to us that Mississippians rebuild Mississippi," says Bechtel Mississippi Operations Manager Ike Richardson. "Mississippi small businesses are essential to our success."
