Amalgamated Services, Inc. (ASI) has been a client of the Illinois APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage since 2008. From that time onward, ASI reports having been awarded over 160 contracts culminating as a direct result of the support from the many efforts of the Illinois APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage.
ASI is a Woman Owned Small Business that hold multiple certifications, receiving the US SBA 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business designation in 2014. This firm was originally and for many years, strictly a full-service mechanical contractor specializing in HVACR and plumbing, but eventually recognized both the desire and necessity to move the company in new directions. Today, ASI has unquestionably proven itself to be a bona fide MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) company. This client utilizes nearly all resources offered through the College of DuPage Business Development Center: numerous team members have participated in over fourteen (14) business webinars to keep its staff well informed and poised for further company expansion.
ASI’s founder and president, Karen Riffice, has steered the company in novel directions well outside the parameters of a typical HVACR and plumbing concern. In recent years, with the regular support of the Illinois APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage, Ms. Riffice has expanded her operations into profitable and job-creating arenas such as Facility Support Services, HVAC and Plumbing Commodities, as well as directly and indirectly related commodity services such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Products and Services, COVID Testing, Ionization Products, Thermal Scanners, and Construction Materials.
In 2012, ASI was awarded a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) and is presently in its third option period. This schedule has resulted in several multi-year GSA Facility Maintenance contracts at US Federal Buildings, US Federal Courthouses, and US Post Offices located in California and Northern Mississippi. Additionally, with the assistance of the Illinois APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage advisors, ASI has been awarded a multi-year NAVFAC Preventive Maintenance and Repair contract at the Newport, Rhode Island Naval Station as well as a USACE multi-year Facility Maintenance contract at 25 military installations located throughout the Upper Midwest (ND, SD, MN, and WI). Armed with its SBA Contract and set aside designations, in tandem with the ongoing support and counsel of the Illinois APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage advisors, the client regularly seized the many opportunities afforded it. Since ASI’s 2008 inception, Amalgamated Services, Inc. has held over 200 counseling and recommendation sessions with Illinois APEX Accelerator advisors. Further, ASI and its contact at the Illinois APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage have scheduled regular, ongoing meetings to discuss matters ranging from compliance and modifications to the GSA MAS contract to Mentor-Protégé regulations as well as bid matching opportunities, solicitation insight, and proposal creation recommendations. Moreover, the Illinois APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage proved itself instrumental in assisting ASI in the creation of a Joint Venture with a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Facility Maintenance firm out of Clarksville, TN. In recent weeks, this JV was awarded a lucrative five-year Operations and Maintenance Service Order Center contract at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina.
The ASI team clearly comprehends the benefit of implementing an Illinois APEX Accelerator advisor for secondary review of government opportunities, interpretation of complex and oftentimes-confusing contracting clauses, and guidance for proposal approach. Karen Riffice stated, "You always want to surround yourself with individuals that know more than yourself to help run a business. I think working with a Illinois APEX Accelerator office it one of the smartest decisions a business owner can make. I have found that the Illinois APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage has served me and my team at Amalgamated Services, Inc. in many ways. I honestly do not know what we would do without the assistance of Rita Haake. Thank goodness for we found her." The Illinois APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage is proud to be a trusted resource to this dynamic team of professionals and looks forward to its future growth.
Contact Information
Business Development Center
535 Duane Street, Office 233
Glen Ellyn IL 60137
(630) 942-2600
Email: bdc@cod.edu
Regular Hours
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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