Social Impact Partnership Program

The SFPUC invites firms through the contracting process to use their resources to make meaningful, positive impacts in the communities we serve.

Under the Social Impact Partnership (SIP) program, firms voluntarily make commitments that they deliver over a term of the life of their contract via financial contributions and/or volunteer hours to non-profit organizations and/or public education providers. SIP commitments have the potential to transform communities and individuals through meaningful programs and services that create a positive social impact.

The SIP program intersects a firm’s social responsibility values with the SFPUC Commission’s three guiding policies (Environmental Justice, Community Benefits, and Racial Justice). SIP commitments support local communities in addressing inequities, building community trust, improving quality of life, and creating meaningful impact. As the SFPUC builds critical infrastructure for our city and the other counties where we have projects, the agency also aims to support building more just and equitable communities.

For more information about SIP, including an interactive dashboard, please visit the SIP Dashboard page. If you are a firm and would like more information, please email inquiries to SIP@sfwater.org.

The SIP program focuses on the four program areas outlined below.

Four Program Areas

Job Exposure, Training, and Internships

This program area supports opportunities through internships, career exposure and awareness, job training programs, and removing barriers to employment. Examples include labor-certified technical assistance, internships, or job exposure and awareness programs.

Watch human impact stories behind the Job Exposure, Awareness, and Internships program area: 

• Local Opportunities at 1550 Evans
• Inside the Pre-Apprentice Training Program
• Preparing the Next Generation for Jobs in the Utilities Industry
• Building a National Model for Workforce Inclusion.

Small Businesses

This program area supports local small businesses through a variety of services that lead to sustainability, growth, job creation, and the promotion of neighborhood economic health and wealth. Examples include contributions that support business strategies, offer mentorship and training in securing contracts and grants, support programs that help small business owners to understand legal documents such as contracts, bonds, licenses, permits, offer expertise in building sustainable business infrastructure through technology resources and business best practices, support efforts to assist in displacement mitigation, and reduce the effects of redevelopment and gentrification.

Watch a human impact story behind the Small Business program area: 

• Exploring the Bayview Bistro.

Public Education

This program area benefits public schools, school districts, and out-of-school programs at the elementary through college level. Examples include addressing educational inequities through programs such as STEM, eco-literacy, environmental stewardship, tutoring, curriculum development, teacher trainings, class presentations, field trips and scholarships.

Watch human impact stories behind the Education program area: 

• Inspiring the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
• Inside the Teacher Externship Program
• Student Impact Spotlight: Geri Urgel.

Environment and Community Health

This program area supports initiatives that address environmental justice and health inequities. Examples include supporting access to nutritious foods and reducing hunger, support of community-led urban agriculture initiatives, or air quality monitoring in neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by pollution.

Watch a human impact story behind the Environmental and Community Health program area: 

• Supporting Our Community When They Need It Most.

How the SIP Program Works

1. The SIP program awards bonus points in a competitive bidding process for firms who voluntarily commit to giving back to the communities they are working in. 
2. The SIP program is included as a component in professional services and power procurement solicitations with anticipated contract awards of $5 million or more, and public work or improvement contracts (e.g., alternative delivery and design-bid-build) with an award value of $25 million or more. For each Firm’s SIP Proposal, SFPUC may apply Bonus points of up to 5% of the total points allocated to the technical portion of the alternative delivery RFP or apply a bid discount of up to 5% for design-bid-build (low-bid) construction contracts. Depending on the strength of a Firm’s SIP Proposal, Firms may receive all, some, or none of the Bonus points or bid discount, as applicable.