SAN DIEGO (April 3, 2020) – The classrooms are empty and the playgrounds are deserted, but the construction workers tackling critical projects at San Diego Unified School District campuses are there, thanks in part to technology put in place by San Diego-based Gafcon, Inc. The leading program, project and construction management firm quickly implemented innovative online tools to ensure payments and invoices continue to flow between the District and the many workers who remain on the job during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because construction was deemed an essential industry in California, the challenge was to allow construction jobsite workers to continue their projects and still be paid — as the District’s support staff who oversee invoicing and payments are not allowed in their offices. The web-based solution not only keeps the District projects on schedule, but, importantly, helps the workers — including many local mom-and-pop subcontracting businesses— continue getting paid. District staff are now using web-based systems that allow them to process invoices from remote locations and collaborate to get quick approvals. In addition, utilizing PDF documents instead of paper allows them to social distance, and keep projects thriving. Digital signatures enable staff to review and approve these payments from their laptop or mobile device.
Gafcon’s partnership with the District means that, when many small businesses are struggling in a declining economy due to the coronavirus pandemic, these businesses and their workers won’t become another unemployment statistic.
“In these uncertain times, technology can become our greatest asset to help keep construction workers safe, connected, paid and employed,” says Tiffany LaBruno, director of professional services at Gafcon.
In addition, with students away from campus, the county’s largest school District intends to ramp up construction on some much-needed projects. This is work that was scheduled for the summer, when kids are not in the classrooms. Now, the upgrades could be ready for students returning to school hopefully next Fall.
“The District is grateful for Gafcon’s innovative solutions that allow us to continue projects for our school community and provide security to so many workers during such a difficult time,” says Lee Dulgeroff, chief of Facilities, Planning and Construction for the San Diego Unified School District.
We invite you to speak with LaBruno, Dulgeroff or Gina O’Donovan, Gafcon’s technology program manager about these innovative solutions for the District’s construction projects. To arrange a site visit, please contact Denise Nix, TW2 Marketing, dnix@tw2marketing.com or (310) 686-6286.
MEDIA CONTACT: Taunya Moen
858.875.0033 | tmoen@gafcon.com
About: Gafcon is a leader in construction project management with major projects throughout California and worldwide. Gafcon delivers complex projects to power vibrant communities. For more information, please visit www.gafcon.com
