OCII reports strong SBE participation, flags continued work on equitable contracting and local hire

The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure received its annual small business enterprise (SBE) and local-hire report covering July 2024–June 2025 on Tuesday, where staff said contractors awarded OCII contracts during the year supported substantial participation by SBEs but commissioners and residents pressed for deeper, targeted outreach to historically underserved neighborhoods.

OCII compliance specialist Julia Hernandez told the commission the SBE policy gives first consideration to project-area SBEs in ZIP codes 94124, 94134 and 94107 and establishes a 50% SBE goal. "The SBE policy establishes a 50% SBE goal," Hernandez said, and staff work with developers and general contractors on solicitation language, unbundling scopes of work and pre-bid outreach to meet those goals.

Hernandez said five projects within OCII’s jurisdiction awarded roughly $36 million in contracts in FY2024–25. She reported professional-services awards achieved 86.6% SBE participation and construction SBE participation rose to 49.8%, up from 45.2% the prior year. Overall, about 61.4% of contracting dollars went to SBEs and roughly 60% of spending went to San Francisco–based firms, Hernandez said.

George Bridges, OCII’s contract compliance supervisor, described the workforce program that seeks a good-faith effort by contractors to have local residents perform 50% of construction hours and requires California prevailing wages and weekly certified payroll reporting. "Contractors make a good faith effort to hire local residents to perform 50% of the construction workforce hours," Bridges said, and CityBuild administers day-to-day compliance and referral for residents.

Bridges noted local-hire percentages fluctuated over recent years — 16.5% during the COVID peak and generally 23%–26% in subsequent years — and reported internships and training placements tied to OCII projects, including CityBuild Academy graduates and placements at Hunters Point Shipyard and Transbay Block 2 projects.

Two program participants — summer trainees Christian Alizes and Alana Lee — described hands-on site experience, weekly workshops and career supports that they said helped them gain industry skills and professional confidence. Industry partner Mick Penn of Swinerton praised the internship model as an on-the-job apprenticeship and encouraged continued placements.

Public commenters and commissioners urged OCII to deepen outreach to historically underserved neighborhoods, particularly Bayview Hunters Point. Resident Oscar James, who identified himself as a NEDA resident, urged aggressive recruitment of local residents and minority contractors and stressed union access for participants; he warned of community unrest if residents continued to be excluded from jobs. "If it takes violence, then it takes violence," James said, while also expressing a preference for lawful opportunities and urging the commission to act to provide training and work.

Commissioners thanked OCII staff and partners including JCYC, OEWD and CityBuild, with several members stressing family- and youth-oriented supports and continued monitoring of contracting outcomes. Commissioner Lim said the presented contracting numbers "don't seem like enough" and urged staff to work harder on ensuring local and minority contractors secure a fair share of work.

Staff said OCII will continue outreach, early bid packaging strategies, and coordination with developer teams to prioritize project-area SBEs and local hires, and that the agency remains available to follow up with stakeholders and contractors. No formal action was required on the workshop; the commission accepted the report and moved on to the next agenda item.