Meet the Client: A NYC Based Construction Company

SUMMARY.

Government contractors demand cost control and diversity compliance, but outdated screening processes were threatening both budgets and contract eligibility.

When you're a premier general contractor working with major New York agencies like NYCT, MTA, and NYCHA, there's no room for shortcuts in background screening or diversity spend requirements. This NYC-based construction company had been building its reputation since 2010, but its screening processes were creating a perfect storm of budget overruns and compliance gaps that threatened its ability to win and maintain lucrative government contracts. With $17.2 million in annual revenue and over 50 new hires per year across critical infrastructure projects, they needed a partner who understood that one missed diversity target could cost them millions in contract opportunities.

The stakes were crushing. Government contracts in construction aren't just business - they're the difference between thriving and surviving in a hyper-competitive market. Yet their background check process was burning through budget allocations with New York States $95-per-name government fees while simultaneously failing to contribute to the diversity spend initiatives that keep government contracts flowing. In an industry where project delays cost thousands per day and diversity compliance can make or break contract awards, they couldn't afford to get screening wrong.

The Construction Crisis.

The perfect storm of budget overruns, diversity compliance gaps, and project delays was threatening our client's ability to compete for lucrative government contracts.

Budget Constraints!

New York State criminal fees were threatening to exceed the annual budget allocation, creating financial pressure that forced difficult decisions between thoroughness and cost control. At $95 per name through the NYS Office of Court Administration, every hire was becoming a budget buster that ate into project margins and operational flexibility. With over 50 background checks needed annually, they were looking at nearly $5,000 in state fees alone - money that could fund equipment upgrades, safety training, or competitive wage increases.

Diversity Initiatives!

Difficulty in meeting diversity spend initiatives could lead to a potential loss of government contracts worth millions in revenue. Federal and state agencies increasingly require contractors to demonstrate measurable diversity spending, and their current screening provider offered zero contribution to these critical metrics. Missing diversity targets doesn't just mean paperwork problems - it means losing out on the multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects that fuel growth and establish industry reputation.

Efficient Processing!

Long turnaround times and incomplete reports delayed project starts and risked losing qualified workers to faster-moving competitors. In construction, timing is everything - delayed clearances mean delayed project launches, which means penalty clauses, unhappy clients, and damaged relationships with the very agencies that award future contracts. When skilled tradespeople have multiple job offers, slow background checks become the difference between landing top talent and settling for whoever's still available.

Building a Better Screening Process.

CI's Smart Screening Strategies for the Modern Builder

When other providers saw complexity, we saw opportunity. Our team designed a comprehensive solution that addressed every pain point while delivering the dual benefits of cost savings and diversity compliance.

Cost-Effective Screening

CI’s proprietary NY criminal search, NY Checked™, reduces New York state criminal search costs by around $60 per person. Instead of hemorrhaging nearly $5,000 annually to government agencies, that budget stays in-house where it belongs - funding safety equipment, training programs, or competitive wages that strengthen your workforce and win more projects.

Diversity Spend

Certified woman-owned in New York, NYC, and by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Every dollar spent with CIChecked counts toward your diversity spend requirements, turning a necessary expense into a strategic compliance asset that helps you qualify for and win more government contracts.

Rapid Turnaround Time

Account managers and trained staff dedicated to our client ensured checks wouldn't affect project times. No more explaining to project managers why you can't start work or watching qualified tradespeople walk away to competitors who move faster - our streamlined process keeps your projects on schedule and your workforce pipeline flowing.

Compliance Framework

Our compliance team developed a custom screening matrix aligned with construction industry standards. We understand the unique requirements of working with NYCT, MTA, LIRR, and other major agencies, ensuring every check meets their specific standards without the guesswork or regulatory surprises that derail projects.

Project Complete: Results That Build Success.

Measurable Results That Transform Construction Project Operations

The numbers don't lie - and neither do the testimonials from construction executives who finally got their budgets, timelines, and contracts back on track.

Budget Builder

NY Checked™ delivered substantial cost savings of approximately $3,000 annually in New York state fees, money that went directly back into equipment, safety programs, and competitive wages instead of government bureaucracy. With consistent savings on every single hire, our proprietary solution proves that superior screening doesn't have to break the budget.

Diversity Champion

Successfully contributed to diversity spend initiatives through our WBENC certification, helping maintain eligibility for lucrative government contracts worth millions in potential revenue. Every screening dollar spent with CIChecked counts toward compliance targets, transforming a necessary expense into a strategic asset that opens doors to more contract opportunities.

Lightning Speed

Reduced average turnaround time to less than one day, ensuring qualified workers could start immediately without project delays or competitive talent loss. Project managers went from frantically juggling delayed clearances to confidently scheduling starts, knowing their screening would be complete on time, every time.

Compliance Excellence

Seamless processing across all major NYC agency requirements with zero compliance issues since implementation. Our custom screening matrix automatically ensures every check meets the specific standards of NYCT, MTA, LIRR, SCA, NYCHA, and DASNY without manual intervention, eliminating the regulatory surprises that can derail project timelines and contract relationships.

The Infrastructure Innovation.

The ripple effects extend throughout the entire construction ecosystem, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and opportunity. Faster clearances mean projects start on schedule, which means clients stay happy and refer more work, which means revenue targets get hit and expansion becomes possible.

For a construction company competing in the high-stakes world of government contracting, operational predictability and compliance confidence matter more than ever. The company's reputation for maintaining robust screening standards while contributing to diversity initiatives has enhanced its competitive position and improved its ability to win larger, more prestigious infrastructure projects.

Perhaps most importantly, the transformation freed up administrative resources for revenue-generating activities. Instead of wrestling with budget overruns and compliance nightmares, HR teams now have bandwidth for strategic workforce planning, safety training initiatives, and project support activities. The mental capital that was previously consumed by background check logistics is now available for activities that directly support their mission of delivering critical infrastructure projects on time and under budget while building lasting partnerships with the agencies that drive New York's growth.