SBA Approves CMS Corporation and Compass Constructors Mentor-Protégé Agreement

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St. Louis, MO – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program (ASMPP) between Compass Roofing, LLC (dba Compass Constructors – the Protégé) and CMS Corporation (CMS – the Mentor). Based in Kansas City, MO, Compass Constructors is an 8(a) and minority business enterprise (MBE) certified company. In business for 8 years, they are a general contractor with self-perform capability in roofing for clients in the public and private sectors. CMS is an award-winning small business and MBE with over 20 years of experience in design-build, new construction, renovation, fueling systems and mechanical work for federal and commercial clients.

CMS President Mercedes Enrique and Compass Constructors CEO Allan Arias met in 2019 while participating in the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative-Education Program called Scaling. Over the past year, the ownership of both firms discovered not only a shared corporate philosophy, but also a common goal and commitment to provide a profitable, high quality, and safe project, with a high level of customer satisfaction, to its clients. Compass Constructors entered the SBA 8(a) program earlier this year, becoming eligible for the ASMPP. Under this program, the two firms plan to pursue strategic 8(a) set-aside Federal construction opportunities in the coming years.

Enrique noted, “Entry into the SBA’s ASMPP is a huge commitment of time, money and resources from both the Mentor and the Protégé. In Compass, we have found a motivated, hard-working management team that is up to the challenge. They are dedicated to getting the most out of the ASMPP program – learning from the successes and challenges CMS has faced over the years and growing their business the right way.”

The purpose of the MPA program is to encourage Mentors to provide a broad range of business development assistance to Protégés. Such assistance may include technical and/or management assistance through JV arrangements. CMS had a highly successful Mentor-Protégé arrangement as a Protégé that ended in 2014. This positive experience has positioned CMS to become a top Mentor.

Arias stated, “For many years, Compass has had the vision and desire to become a top-tier small business contractor for the federal government. Finding the right mentor has been a critical step towards attaining this goal and in our overall growth strategy. We are proud to have CMS as our guide and mentor under the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program.”

The MPA offers CMS, a 2014 graduate of the government’s 8(a) program, a meaningful opportunity to “give back” to the small business / 8(a) community. Compass Constructors joins CMS as their second active protégé under the ASMPP. CMS also maintains an MPA with Alamogordo, NM-based Jack Wayte Construction under the SBA 8(a) MPA. JWC is soon graduating from the 8(a) program.

 

CMS Projects Receive ABC Award of Excellence

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MAUMEE, OH — The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky recently awarded CMS Corporation (CMS) the 2018 Award of Excellence for projects at Purdue University, IN and Detroit Arsenal, Warren, MI. The Purdue Flex Lab Facility project received the Award of Excellence in Construction in the “Mechanical/ Commercial” category and the Detroit Arsenal Tank Command (TACOM) Miscellaneous Repairs, Building 230 in the “Federal Government/Military/Under $10M” category.

For the Purdue Flex Lab Facility, CMS performed mechanical scopes of work, including campus-wide systems integration, for the construction of a new 107,800-SF multidisciplinary engineering research building. As the prime mechanical subcontractor for this $54M state-of-the-art facility, CMS met the prime contractor’s mechanical requirements and expectations for constructability, design, function, operation, and life span. Work on the new facility began in 2016 and was completed in the fall of 2018. CMS self-performed over half the mechanical scope and also managed specialized mechanical contractors for quality, timeliness, and professional conduct.

As the prime contractor for the $3.6M design-build renovation of Building 230 at Detroit Arsenal, CMS reconfigured existing spaces to provide 200 work stations, 35 new offices, 4 copier/filing areas, 2 conference/team rooms, and a kitchenette/break room. CMS also upgraded the existing HVAC system and installed furnishings. Overall, CMS delivered an aesthetically pleasing, comfortable space for Army personnel that was in like-new condition, durable, maintainable, and sustainable. All work integrated seamlessly with the Arsenal’s other buildings and finishes.

The Award of Excellence honors the skill and creativity of project teams, including the contractor, owner, architect, and engineer, responsible for outstanding merit shop construction projects. CMS was recognized by ABC for excelling in innovation, quality, and safety on both projects.

Khush Mander, Executive Vice President, was on hand with other members of CMS to accept both awards at the ABC 2018 Merit Shop Construction Awards Gala on September 27, 2018 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Indianapolis, IN.