An agreement between the City of Arlington and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club supports the participation of minority and women-owned business enterprises in the construction and operation of a NFL stadium in Arlington.

KStrategies Group LLP is the Dallas-based independent contractor hired to monitor the compliance and objectives of the Fair Share agreement signed September 30, 2004 by Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President J. Stephen Jones and Mayor Robert Cluck.

KStrategies President Katrina Keyes has more than 15 years of experience in the areas of M/WBE development, procurement and public policy. The company was created in 2002 to assist construction management and general construction firms to engage subcontractors and suppliers on large construction projects.

The Cowboys Football Club has committed to paying the City of Arlington $100,000 annually to retain a firm to serve as an independent contractor to assist in the implementation, monitoring and due diligence efforts associated with achieving the desired results of the Fair Share Agreement.

"The Fair Share agreement represents the strict commitment of all parties to include minority and women-owned businesses in all aspects of the design, procurement, development and construction of the Cowboys Complex," said Mayor Robert Cluck. "This is a win-win for the entire Arlington community."

Serving as the M/WBE coordinator involves community outreach, documenting the involvement of minorities and women, and public reporting on a quarterly basis.

"Hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent on this development project," Keyes said. "The M/WBE program has been created to help ensure that these dollars are spent locally and equally among qualified women and ethnic enterprises."

Among the general responsibilities outlined in Exhibit B of the Fair Share Agreement, the M/WBE coordinator will be responsible for developing advertising for interested business, assisting in the certification of interested firms, identifying qualified firms and providing technical assistance to help firms with the necessary bonding and insurance capabilities. The duties will conclude on the grand opening of the Cowboys Stadium, which is scheduled for June 2009.

According to the Fair Share Agreement, to the degree reasonably possible, the City and Cowboys Club will utilize minority and women contractors and consultants with offices located first in the city of Arlington, then Tarrant and Dallas counties, then the state of Texas.

Interested firms must have a M/WBE certificate issued by the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, the North Texas Women’s Business Council, the Texas Department of Transportation or a similar acceptable certifying agency.

During a City Council Work Session in April, Keyes presented objectives for achieving 25 percent of M/WBE participation in construction related projects, 25 percent M/WBE participation in architectural and engineering related services, 37 percent participation in professional services, 24 percent participation in other miscellaneous services and 18 percent participation in goods such as construction related equipment and materials.

Minority and women-owned businesses interested in contracting opportunities can register online at www.kstrategies.com and click on Bidder Registration. For more information about the M/WBE program, call 214-468-8737 or e-mail info@kstrategies.com.