John Kivlehan

John Kivlehan serves as Division Engineer within the Engineering Agency of the City of Syracuse, where he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the procurement and execution of civil infrastructure projects critical to municipal mobility and public safety. Responsible for the technical evaluation and contract administration of transportation-related construction initiatives, he ensures that all acquisitions align with engineering standards, environmental compliance, and long-term asset durability. His acquisitions primarily encompass highway, street, and bridge construction, including site preparation, drainage systems, and pedestrian infrastructure upgrades, all aligned with the agency’s mission to maintain and enhance the city’s public right-of-way. Kivlehan collaborates with a diverse pool of qualified general contractors and specialty subcontractors experienced in heavy civil construction, often engaging firms with proven track records in municipal infrastructure delivery. His procurement process emphasizes technical competency, safety compliance, and schedule reliability, fostering long-term partnerships with vendors capable of executing complex, phased construction efforts under tight urban constraints. He works closely with project engineers and inspectors to ensure contractor performance meets design specifications and regulatory requirements. His contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of procurements issued without set-asides, indicating a focus on selecting the most technically capable and cost-efficient offerors regardless of socioeconomic status. While he does not prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, his evaluations remain grounded in merit-based selection criteria aligned with federal and state procurement regulations. Kivlehan’s primary procurement focus is on NAICS 237310 — Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction — encompassing earthwork, pavement installation, structural concrete, traffic control systems, and utility relocation. His technical expertise lies in the design-build and traditional bid-build delivery methods, with deep familiarity in DOT standards, ASTM specifications, and OSHA safety protocols governing public works projects.