The MWH/Webcor JV’s Biosolids Digester Facilities Project (BDFP) isn’t just a massive infrastructure project critical to Webcor’s portfolio—it’s one that embodies our Community core value in a way no other project has before.
Through its Local Business Enterprise (LBE) engagement, BDFP has generated over $300 million in economic impact benefiting local businesses in Bayview-Hunters Point (District 10), one of San Francisco’s most underserved and racially diverse neighborhoods.
“XBE participation (the umbrella term for diverse businesses, e.g. LBE, MBE, WBE, etc.) matters for so many reasons,” says Project Outreach Manager Chris Bardales. “It creates access to opportunity while stimulating the local economy, champions the growth of small businesses, builds a list of potential trade partners, and demonstrates to potential clients that we’re committed to supplier diversity and impactful community partnerships—something that’s becoming a higher priority for an increasing number of clients.”
When the American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA) released its annual call for National Training Institute (NTI) speaker abstracts, Outreach and Partnerships Manager Sharla Sullivan knew it was the perfect opportunity for Chris to share his inclusive contracting expertise with fellow outreach professionals striving to drive similar results at their own projects.
“I participated in a contractor’s panel at the conference last year and knew it was time for Chris to present this year!” she says. “The opportunity to connect with other outreach and compliance professionals at ACCA’s NTI and learn what’s working and not working from real case studies is hugely valuable.”
Established as a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring equitable employment and contracting practices, ACCA offers training, networking, and support for contract compliance professionals across the U.S.
Chris agreed to submit an abstract in partnership with MWH Contracts Manager Caroline Galle. Last month, they presented their case study, “Building Inclusive Supply Chains: A Case Study on the Impactful Role of General Contractors in Supplier Diversity Compliance for a Public Megaproject,” at the 2025 NTI conference in Colorado to rave reviews.
“The audience was completely engaged throughout the entire presentation,” says Dept. Manager, Estimating/Outreach Rosa Arevalo. “Chris and Caroline received a lot of great feedback and questions, even after they finished presenting. I would love to see them come back to ACCA next year and lead a presentation on local workforce development.”
On the final day of NTI, Chris and Caroline kicked off their presentation with an introduction to BDFP, the surrounding Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, and BDFP’s LBE requirements before diving into the tools and strategies that fueled their outreach and engagement with District 10’s LBE community.
“Chris and Caroline expertly detailed the steps they took to create and execute an LBE procurement strategy centered on proactive engagement, diversified contracting, setting specific LBE requirements by scope, and, most importantly, with the buy-in of the client, team, and community,” Sharla says. “I loved how they focused on examples and even shared a situation where something they tried didn’t result as expected. They pivoted to a new strategy based on what they’d learned, which resulted in even greater XBE participation. The result? A project that reflects the community inside out.”
They wrapped up with a detailed analysis of the local economic impact driven by BDFP’s LBE engagement throughout the project. “I was excited for the opportunity share our buyout/LBE-related successes and strategies with industry peers,” Chris says. “It’s amazing to realize everything the project team’s accomplished through collaboration and dedication. Several of the strategies we presented could serve as starting points for other projects.”
Aside from being a valuable learning opportunity, the story at the heart of their case study was genuinely inspiring, Rosa says. Their authenticity and commitment to the Bayview-Hunters Point community, regardless of the BDFP’s LBE requirements, resonated deeply with the entire audience.
“It was obvious that they both truly care about uplifting Bayview-Hunters Point residents and equipping them with the necessary tools for success,” she says. “They weren’t just trying to check the boxes. They wanted to make a difference—and they did.”
