On Friday, September 6, Hensel Phelps’ projects from our Tysons Corner office honored 12 trade partners at the third annual Trade Partner Appreciation Awards Luncheon. Initiated by Hensel Phelps’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community (DEIc) forum, the luncheon supported, honored and celebrated the trade partner community.
From excellence in procurement to design partner of the year, trade partners were nominated by Hensel Phelps project teams to celebrate outstanding performers in a variety of categories. A regional selection committee then reviewed the nominations to determine the winners for each award.
The trade partners recognized for the 2024 Trade Partner Appreciation Luncheon include:
Excellence in Procurement – DXI Construction
From the beginning of procurement on the P-3002 project at Andrews Air Force Base, DXI expressed their strong interest in the project and desire to work closely with Hensel Phelps through the procurement. This was especially important on a complex, heavy civil job with many logistical challenges due to the proximity of the active runway. From procurement to construction, DXI and Hensel Phelps have truly embodied the meaning of partnership.
Excellence in Contract Administration – Eastern Corporation
The IAD 12-13 project team nominated Eastern Corporation for their consistent punctual submission of contract documents. Eastern Corporation’s team was well prepared for the project’s pre-mobilization meeting and worked to provide product data and shop drawings that were timely and detailed. Their submittals were largely approved from their first submissions, saving valuable time and effort for the whole project team.
Small Business of the Year – First Choice Masonry
Nominated by the Mission Operations Record Center (MORC) project team at Ft. Meade, First Choice Masonry put their best foot forward in the field and set the precedent that they would exceed Hensel Phelps, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Maryland Procurement Offices (MPO)’s expectations, which was unquestionably achieved. They have set a high level of quality in the work installed in the field, have met the schedule durations consistently throughout the project and have actively communicated with the project team.
Best New Trade Partner – Gray & Son and H&K Group
Gray & Son
From the beginning of the John Hopkins APL Building 28 project, Gray & Son executive team members and estimators were highly involved in helping the Hensel Phelps preconstruction team and client with conceptual estimating and identifying potential cost risks and opportunities for savings. They have identified areas to minimize impacts and progress the schedule. Despite project challenges, Gray & Son maintained a fantastic attitude, working on creative solutions. They have been collaborative, innovative and an exceptional trade partner.
H&K Group
As the first crew on the Lockheed Martin Valley Forge project, H&K Group set the tone for efficiency in the execution of their work, with thoughtful planning and timely scheduling of material and equipment deliveries. This efficiency carried through the completion of their installation. They provided meaningful and helpful participation during charrettes and coordination meetings and were quick to resolve any issues brought to their attention.
Design Partner of the Year – Southland Industries and Thornton Tomasetti
Southland Industries
During the design phase of the MORC project, Southland Industries continuously provided insight from their experiences for the mechanical trades, shielding details for all skin penetrations, commissioning plan examples and overhead door and miscellaneous metals. They took initiative on coordination and were always the first to provide solution options for our other design partners. They have gone above and beyond to accommodate tight areas or aesthetic preferences by the architect and almost always agreed to make design changes or compromise with a design change to meet any design partners in the middle.
Thornton Tomasetti
As a design partner on a first-of-its-kind cross-laminated timber data center, Thornton Tomasetti rose to the occasion by implementing new details and pioneering loading capacities of a wood decking system in lieu of the typical steel design on IAD 12-13. Upon receiving the structural drawings in the Issue for Bid set, Thornton Tomasetti provided a fully coordinated “Tekla” model with all connection details. This model expedited the team’s structural development of shop drawings and connection detailing. Even with strict CLT and structural demands, Thornton Tomasetti made themselves available whenever called upon to address any conflict and help provide resolutions in a timely manner.
Innovation Award – Enclos
Enclos is currently contracted for the curtainwall and metal panel scopes on the CMH New Terminal Project. Enclos assisted the design team in changing the curtainwall and metal panel framing from stick build to a unitized system. The unitized panels significantly improved schedule duration and cost on the project.
Excellence in Quality – Dynalectric
Dynalectric has staffed the Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) HQ1 Modernization with high-caliber individuals who are experienced in their trade and are very familiar with this existing facility and NFCU as a client. They provide solutions to unique problems, which often involve rerouting existing utilities or supporting NFCU requests. They are heavily involved in the quality control process and always ensure that their items are addressed as quickly as possible, often providing the manpower to avoid punchlist items.
Excellence in Safety – CA Murren
CA Murren brought a high standard of safety to the IAD 12-13 project, which is evident in their operations. Their rigorous safety protocols and proactive approach helped set a new benchmark for site safety, showcasing their ability to adapt their safety standards to data center and commercial building projects. When starting on the IAD project, CA Murren demonstrated their adaptability by rising above and beyond to the safety standards of the IAD client’s expectations.
Outstanding Performer – Banker Steel and LR Wilson & Sons
Banker Steel and LR Willson & Sons have been customer service oriented from day one on the MORC project. They have approached the project as partners and have made that mentality a staple in the office and field. They turned decks over to Hensel Phelps consistently earlier than expected, which allowed for progression of the schedule. They worked through other trade partner impacts to keep steel progressing forward.
About Trade Partner Appreciation Week
In 2022, Hensel Phelps’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community (DEIc) forum identified a need to better support, honor and celebrate our trade partner community. As a result, the region created Trade Partner Appreciation Week. Jobsites are encouraged to celebrate their project and small business successes, recognize project employees and host a BBQ to present jobsite awards. The week culminates in the annual Trade Partner Appreciation Awards luncheon.