Weekly Briefing: June 6, 2025
- Socially Adept Solutions
- Jun 6
- 5 min read
DOT Announces $5.4B Available for Bridge Grants Following Grant Requirement Changes
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) revised grant requirements originally established during the Biden administration, scaling back elements related to climate change, environmental justice, DEI, and workforce development.
The changes impact the Federal Highway Administration’s Large Bridge Grants and its Competitive Highway Bridge Program, making $4.9 billion available for major bridge projects and $500 million for rural bridge repair and replacement.
Applicants already being considered must submit additional materials in response to the updated grant requirements. The DOT is also reviewing grants that have been awarded but remain unfinalized.
Separately, the DOT also announced $1.5 billion in emergency funding for states and territories to support road and bridge repair projects, including $683 million for damage caused by last year’s Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.
U.S. Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Have Doubled, Reaching 50% Accelerating Human Talent
The U.S. raised tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%, with President Trump stating that it will boost U.S. competitiveness and address trade practices that “undermine national security.”
U.S. steelmakers and unions support the tariff increase, seeing it as business protection, while metal-reliant industries, like oil drillers, automakers, and home builders, are concerned about rising costs. These opposing views align with U.S. International Trade Commission analysis that similar tariffs in Trump’s first term helped steel and aluminum producers but harmed the overall economy by raising prices for many other industries.
Countries that export metals to the U.S., like Canada, Mexico, and Europe, have criticized the tariffs and are concerned about the impact on supply chains. Under the 25% tariff, steel shipments from Canada have already decreased by 30%.
Relocating aluminum production to the U.S. faces challenges due to the small scale of domestic production and the high electricity demands needed for aluminum production
June 2, 2025
WGI, a Florida-based design and professional services firm that provides technology-based solutions for the construction of public infrastructure and real estate development, has acquired Roadway Design Solutions (RDS), a Florida-based civil engineering consulting firm specializing in transportation design. This move strengthens WGI’s transportation services and reinforces its position in the rapidly growing Southeast Florida market. “We’re thrilled to welcome Miami-based Roadway Design Solutions to the WGI family,” stated David Wantman, CEO of WGI. “Bringing RDS into the WGI family is a strategic step forward in enhancing our transportation capabilities across a key Florida market.”
June 2, 2025
WSP Global Inc. (WSP), a Montreal-based professional services firm, has acquired Lexica, a UK-based firm that focuses on healthcare strategy and planning, cost management, project and program management, digital advisory and transformation, and Net Zero consulting services. The acquisition will add 90 UK-based experts to WSP’s Planning, Property, and Advisory business in the region, creating a new Healthcare and Life Sciences Advisory team. Alexandre L’Heureux, President and CEO of WSP, said, “The acquisition of Lexica directly supports our strategic objective of strengthening our Advisory capabilities and solidifying our leadership in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.”
June 2, 2025
Bernhard Capital Partners (BCP), a Louisiana-based services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm, acquired TechServ, a Texas-based utility service provider of engineering, oversight, telecommunication design, joint use, and storm support services. This acquisition supports BCP’s new platform focused on utility engineering and consulting, which will be positioned to support grid modernization and expansion efforts across the electric power and telecommunication utility sectors. “We are proud to partner with TechServ to build a best-in-class platform that will meet the growing needs of utilities and telecom providers across the country, driven by the rapidly rising demand for power and data,” said Mark Spender, Partner at BCP. “The company’s safety-first culture, leading technical capabilities, client-focused business model, and experienced leadership team make it an ideal platform investment aligned with BCP’s blueprint for investing in essential infrastructure services.”
June 3, 2025
Halff Associates (Halff), a Texas-based, employee-owned, full-service infrastructure consulting firm, has acquired C&D Utility Consulting (C&D), a Texas-based firm with expertise in electric utility infrastructure. This acquisition enhances Halff’s energy services and combines the complementary expertise of both firms, allowing Halff to continue delivering integrated, end-to-end solutions in energy and electrical distribution infrastructure. Jessica Baker Daily, President and CEO of Halff, said, “Welcoming C&D Utility Consulting, whose culture, reputation and technical expertise align with our own, strengthens our energy services. With this strategic acquisition, we’re better equipped to serve clients throughout the South with seamless, end-to-end infrastructure solutions.”
June 3, 2025
Rimkus Consulting Group (Rimkus), a Texas-based forensic engineering and technical consulting services firm, backed by HGGC, acquired Huntley-Fenner Advisors, a California-based safety and human factors consulting firm. The acquisition will bolster Rimkus’ capabilities in the human factors sector and strengthen its ability to deliver to its global clients. Jonathan Higgins, CEO of Rimkus, said, “Over the last few years, Rimkus has intentionally grown our Life Sciences group, effectively managing the challenges we know our clients are facing and building a leading team of experts that addresses these opportunities with agility and precision. This talent expansion will enable us to accelerate our current strategy to be a leader in Human Factors consulting.”
June 5, 2025
Verdantas, a Florida-based provider of digitally enabled technical consulting solutions for the environment, water, and energy transition markets, backed by Sterling Capital Partners, has acquired Surf to Snow Environmental Resources Management (S2S), a California-based full-service environmental consulting firm. This strategic move strengthens Verdantas’ presence in the western U.S. and supports the firm’s growth in the environmental and energy transition markets, while also enabling S2S to expand its service offerings by leveraging Verdantas’ resources and national footprint. Jesse Kropelnicki, CEO of Verdantas, commented, “This partnership brings specialized expertise in natural resources, environmental permitting, and water quality—key areas that expand our environmental impact to the West. Just as important, their people-first culture mirrors our own, creating meaningful opportunities for our teams and better outcomes for the clients and communities we serve.”
Parametrix employees, including CEO John Willis, recently took part in the annual SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle, a multi-sport race from Mt. Bachelor to Bend's Hayden Homes Amphitheater. The event includes alpine and cross-country skiing, biking, running, and kayaking, covering about 30 miles. Thousands of racers joined in the fun, supporting the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, which helps young athletes through life-changing sports programs.
The EFCG Weekly Briefing summarizes the week’s key news in the AEC industry, including M&A updates, and micro- and macro-trends, aggregated from industry-focused and global news sources.
To send any additional press releases or news from your firm that you would like us to share please email Clay Han at chan@efcg.com.