Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP)

  🗓 Join us on June 4th, at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco. Presented by HUB International and Community Host BuildIT Register today. Deadline for registration is this Friday, May 15. https://lnkd.in/gxTdpHxG We are so excited about the growing list of new Pledge Signers: HUB International Port of San Francisco Port of Oakland California High-Speed Rail Authority Sky Blue Builders, LLC Hornblower Group AEC Unites Luster National Talson Solutions, LLC Center for Community Wealth Construction Contractors Alliance Inc. #EIP2026 #EquityInInfrastructure #SupplierDiversity #InclusiveGrowth #EconomicEquity #PublicPrivatePartnerships #AECIndustry 

Congratulations, Diana C. Mendes, FAICP Your induction into the AICP College of Fellows is an incredible and well-deserved honor. It speaks to your exceptional leadership, impact, and unwavering commitment to advancing the planning profession and delivering infrastructure solutions that truly serve communities. As the Chair of the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) Advisory Council, your leadership continues to guide meaningful change across the industry while championing innovation and opportunity. We’re proud to have you as part of the EIP community and grateful for the example you set. Wishing you continued success and impact in all that you do!

We’re excited to bring together industry leaders, public agencies, and private sector partners for EIP 2026: Playbook for a New Paradigm. On June 4, 2026, in San Francisco, this full-day convening will focus on turning strategy into action by advancing the EIP's Procurement for Prosperity Playbook. Together, we’ll celebrate new signatories to the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) and collaborate on implementing impactful policies, practices, and programs that expand opportunities for small and historically underutilized businesses. This is more than a conversation; it’s about driving real change across the infrastructure ecosystem. 📍 Hyatt Regency, San Francisco 🗓 June 4, 2026 🕗 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT Join us in shaping a competitive and innovative future. Register for the event here: https://lnkd.in/gxTdpHxG #EIP2026 #Infrastructure #EquityInInfrastructure #SupplierDiversity #InclusiveGrowth #EconomicEquity #PublicPrivatePartnerships #AECIndustry #Leadership #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #Sustainability #IndustryLeadership #Procurement #ConstructionIndustry

We thank the more than 100 infrastructure leaders from across the country who joined us for the launch of "Procurement for Prosperity: A Playbook." Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gz9Zvjfj -- and this is a living document, so please share your feedback as well. Partners for Public Good

Congratulations, Terri Mestas, on being chosen as the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Foundation's first-ever Soaring Eagle Award honoree! Sound Transit and Terri, its Deputy Executive Director, are tremendous partners of EIP, sharing their experience and expertise with our coalition to deliver more value through infrastructure procurement and contracting by spurring small business and economic growth, and creating more competition for publicly funded projects. Before coming to Sound Transit, where she oversees delivery of a more than $75 billion expansion, Terri led the $30 billion capital improvement program at Los Angeles World Airports and led capital programs for NASA, the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and the Los Angeles Community College District -- so she has long had fans in our industry from across the country. The Soaring Eagle Award is a "new national honor recognizing a transformational leader in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry who embodies the standards of courage, integrity, and vision." Established in 1920, the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) unites public and private sector professionals from across the A/E/C and national security communities. With over 22,000 members, more than 100 Posts around the world, and a National Office in Alexandria, Va., SAME drives partnerships, delivers solutions, and develops people to support America’s national security priorities.  https://lnkd.in/eZESkDgH

EIP brings together public agency, NGO and private sector leaders to identify and create ways to improve procurement and contracting that create more competition for contracts. That competition translates into taxpayer savings and better value for infrastructure investments by growing Historically Underutilized Businesses. Today, we launch “Procurement for Prosperity: A Playbook,” a practical resource that provides tools, resources, and examples of proven, durable options agencies can use to increase competition and maximize value in their infrastructure investments. Created with Partners for Public Good, the Playbook results from independent research, group workshops, agency interviews, and key input from members of the EIP coalition, including representatives of AECOM, Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), BuildIT, California Department of General Services, Caltrans, Chicago Transit Authority, City of Los Angeles, Denver International Airport - City & County of Denver Dept of Aviation, HNTB, King County, WA, Los Angeles County Internal Services Department, Los Angeles World Airports, Los Angeles Metro (MWD), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, San Francisco International Airport Sound Transit, and WSP . Learn more and sign up for a Playbook webinar featuring leaders from Chicago Transit Authority, Denver International Airport - City & County of Denver Dept of Aviation, HNTB, King County, WA and San Francisco International Airport at: https://lnkd.in/gz9Zvjfj

Following recent changes to the federal DBE and similar programs, the Equity in Infrastructure Project last week convened more than 110 representatives of infrastructure agencies and companies to hear from a panel of professionals with extensive experience operating within California's Proposition 209. Passed in 1996, Prop 209 amended the California constitution to prohibit the consideration of race, sex, or ethnicity in public contracting. Our panelists shared how they have met small businesses' policy goals under Prop 209’s restrictions. Currently, the State of California procures about $13 billion per year and achieves 25% or greater small business participation. The conversation was introduced and moderated respectively by co-chairs and co-founders John D. Porcari and Rick Jacobs. Sharing their approaches (which may be replicable and applicable under new federal guidance) were: * Anda Draghici: Branch Chief, Office of SB and DVBE Services, on behalf of the State’s Chief Procurement Officer, California Department of General Services, Angela Shell.  * John L. Reamer, Jr: General Manager of the Bureau of Contract Administration, City of Los Angeles. * John Arena : Business Outreach Manager, Metropolitan Water District. * David DeLuz: Deputy Director - Civil Rights, Caltrans. Some highlights of what they shared: * LA procurement forbids all discrimination and has withstood legal challenge * California GSD uses environmental and Geo overlays to match up procurement criteria * The Metropolitan Water District emphasizes outreach and education, as do all the entities We'll keep you posted on additional convenings, and we'd like to remind you that we are constantly updating the Resources page on our website with agency responses to the USDOT Interim Final Rule on the DBE and ACDBE programs. Please share with us any responses or guidance you issue or receive. An essential part of EIP’s work is leading and facilitating the exchange of information and ideas among our coalition. Thank you for all that you do. #EquityInInfrastructure #DBE #ACDBE #SupplierDiversity #PublicProcurement #Infrastructure #SmallBusiness #GovernmentContracting #InclusiveGrowth #PublicPolicy #Caltrans #LosAngeles #CaliforniaDGS #MetropolitanWaterDistrict #Prop209 #InfrastructureInvestment #DiversityEquityInclusion #USDOT #EIP

And we are honored that BuildOUT California is part of our coalition of those committed to building small businesses and creating economic opportunities across our nation!

Port of Long Beach was one of the original 5 signers of the EIP Pledge, and they continue their commitment to economic development and jobs with this $365 million terminal expansion project that will create hundreds of both construction jobs and permanent jobs at the facility, which will increase capacity by 50%. https://lnkd.in/geWuBsqS

Our organization exists to leverage the power of local infrastructure investments to grow businesses and help families thrive. A recent report about the multi-billion dollar impact of just one of our signatories, the Port of Seattle, shows just how large an opportunity exists. https://lnkd.in/g_mm5-_3