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When it came time to make sure the redesign of the Rockwood Transit Station hit the DMWESB goals of project owner TriMet, the design team led by David Evans and Associates knew there was one company that could do the job: Andre Baugh’s Group AGB Ltd.

Group AGB’s challenge was a formidable one. Most of the opportunities for DMWESB firms on building projects are in the construction phase. As a result, there are few disadvantaged firms, emerging small businesses and minority- and women-owned firms that can be tapped for design and engineering phases of projects.

Because of its strong connections in the DMWESB firm network in Oregon, Group AGB was brought on to identify specific areas of the Rockwood station design phase where local firms could provide services.

Group AGB also helped with outreach to alert DMWESB firms about the types of work available on the project.

Innovative approaches implemented by Group AGB resulted in seven DBE firms becoming involved in the design phase of the project. Those firms provided 21 percent of the phase work and accounted for nearly 25 percent of the fees.

In addition, two mentoring opportunities were created between DBE firms. In the area of quality assurance and control, for example, Group AGB connected the small firm of Brandi Lisles & Associates with Seaborn Engineering, which acted in a mentor capacity. The two firms now plan on working together on future projects.