California-based American Integrated Services (AIS) is a 180-person company that specializes in environmental remediation. Tetra Tech and AIS have teamed to provide comprehensive environmental services throughout California to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) since 1999. Tetra Tech provides engineering and environmental consulting, and AIS provides remedial construction in the field.

In 2002, AIS received the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) certification from the agency’s business development program designed to bolster minority and other disadvantaged businesses in competition for federal contracts. Under this program the AIS-Tetra Tech team secured federal remediation contracts designated as small business set asides. Tetra Tech supported AIS’s growth in services and revenue on diverse contracts during the ensuing years, for which AIS received the SBA’s Small Business of the Year Award in 2007.

After leaving the 8(a) program in 2011, AIS is a successful Small, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) with five offices in California. AIS and teaming partner Tetra Tech were awarded two USACE projects for site investigation and remediation at the former Moffett Air Field and Marine Ocean Terminal Concord. The team has invoiced over $7 million to date.

“Being awarded the 8(a) was significant, but we also benefited enormously from Tetra Tech’s knowledge, relationships with their clients and regulators, and their geographic coverage in California,” says Kelly Stater, Vice President-Federal Programs for AIS. “Our project planning always benefitted from strategic back-and-forth discussions. The result is efficient and cost-effective work.”

Tetra Tech program manager Steve Krueger says working with AIS is exceptional because “they stay client-focused and can problem-solve without supervision.” Mr. Krueger adds that AIS’s marketing and business development efforts are considerably stronger than many small businesses. “They’re good at responding to federal requests for proposals and at joint marketing to secure work in new markets.”

The team continues to pursue USACE remediation contracts, as well as new business in California with major oil companies and utilities.

“AIS’s relationship with Tetra Tech has helped AIS grow in many markets and win diverse contracts in the public and private sectors,” Mr. Stater says.

The synergy from the marketing and business development abilities of both companies bodes well for mutual growth.