GPW and Associates
GPW and Associates is a woman- and minority-owned engineering consulting firm delivering MEP, fire protection, and refrigeration design services for commercial, retail, government, and healthcare projects nationwide. It serves as both prime consultant and subconsultant on national retail rollouts and federal IDIQ contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersLawrence, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What GPW and Associates does
GPW and Associates is a private engineering consulting firm founded in 1998 by Gina Pacumbaba-Watson and headquartered in Lawrence, Kansas. The firm delivers Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP), Fire Protection, and Refrigeration engineering design services for commercial, retail, government, healthcare, and industrial building projects, utilizing CADD and REVIT/Building Information Modeling (BIM) tooling alongside HVAC load calculation and 3D sprinkler design software. GPW is a woman- and minority-owned business holding WOSB, MBE (NMSDC), WBENC, and SBA certifications, and is licensed to practice engineering in 45 states.
The firm operates a project-based professional services model, earning revenue through design-build, design-bid-build, and construction manager-at-risk delivery methods, typically engaged via program invitations and IDIQ contracts rather than open bidding. GPW serves as both prime consultant leading integrated architect/engineering teams and as a subconsultant on larger programs. Its client roster is anchored by national retail programs (Target since December 2020, Walmart since 2006, Kroger since 2011) and federal work (Kansas City District Corps of Engineers IDIQ contracts covering five military installations, plus DHS SBInet involvement). Repeat engagements with Bank of America (up to 300 branch rollouts and the first Silver LEED-certified BoA branch), AT&T, KCATA, KCAD, UMKC, and the Truman VA Hospital illustrate a multi-vertical book.
GPW is led by President & CEO Gina Pacumbaba-Watson, supported by COO Elaine Boose (joined 2018) and VP of Engineering Joanne Hoban (joined 2021). The firm operates with 11–50 employees, is not publicly traded, and has no disclosed parent company, private equity sponsorship, or acquisition activity. Go-to-market is relationship- and credential-driven rather than marketing-driven, with growth dependent on continued acceptance into selective national retail and federal IDIQ programs.
GPW and Associates firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GPW and Associates
- Legal name
- GPW and Associates
- Website
- https://gpwassociates.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GPW and Associates is a woman- and minority-owned engineering consulting firm delivering MEP, fire protection, and refrigeration design services for commercial, retail, government, and healthcare projects nationwide. It serves as both prime consultant and subconsultant on national retail rollouts and federal IDIQ contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GPW and Associates industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineering Consulting
- NAICS
- Engineering Services (541330), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing) Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Construction Program Management (Multi-site/Portfolio) (IMAFAAAF), Building Management & Facility Control Systems (BMS/BAS, Power Monitoring, EPMS) (EUAEAFAJ)
Keywords
Where GPW and Associates is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lawrence
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
GPW and Associates business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Engineering Consulting Services: GPW generates revenue through professional engineering consulting services for commercial building systems. Services include Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Refrigeration engineering design. Revenue is project-based, earned through various contract structures including design-build, design-bid-build, and construction manager-at-risk delivery methods. Projects range from small renovations to large ground-up construction.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
GPW and Associates product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GPW and Associates is an engineering consulting firm that provides Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Refrigeration (MEP&R) design services for commercial, retail, government, healthcare, and industrial building projects. Services span refrigeration system design, HVAC and plumbing/fire protection engineering, electrical systems engineering, and complementary professional services including project management, site assessments, and compliance studies. Deliverables are produced using CADD and Revit-based Building Information Modeling (BIM) and delivered through various contract structures including design-build, design-bid-build, and construction manager-at-risk methods, nationwide across 45 states.
Product overview
GPW and Associates offers a unified suite of building systems engineering and design consulting services. The core portfolio consists of four integrated service areas: Refrigeration Systems Engineering & Design, Mechanical/Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineering, Electrical Systems Engineering & Design, and Professional Services (project management, site assessments, compliance studies). These services are delivered together as complete MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) engineering solutions for commercial, industrial, retail, government, and healthcare projects of any scale, utilizing CADD and BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology. The company operates as a licensed engineering consultant serving clients nationwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Refrigeration Systems Engineering & Design Engineering design services for commercial refrigeration systems, including Direct Expansion, Glycol Systems, Defrost Management, and TCO2 Systems, along with remodeling of existing refrigeration systems and coordination with refrigeration OEMs. Targeted at retail, grocery, and other commercial operators that require reliable, code-compliant refrigeration design for new builds and remodels.
- Mechanical, Plumbing & Fire Protection Engineering Comprehensive mechanical engineering services covering HVAC, building automation, hydronics, boilers, chillers, variable air volume systems, plumbing (domestic water, sanitary, gas piping), and fire protection systems (fire pumps, wet/dry pipe, deluge sprinkler systems). Designed for commercial, retail, government, healthcare, and industrial facilities requiring code-compliant mechanical and life-safety infrastructure.
- Electrical Systems Engineering & Design Building electrical systems engineering including medium and low voltage power distribution, LED lighting, grounding systems, communications, fire alarm, mass notification, security systems (CCTV, access control, intrusion detection), motor controls, and building automation. Built for commercial and institutional projects requiring integrated power, life-safety, and low-voltage systems design.
- Professional Services Supporting engineering services including project management (master planning, concept design, phasing, construction administration), site assessments (equipment evaluation, feasibility studies), and compliance studies (functional performance tests for refrigeration and HVAC). Used by clients who need full project oversight from concept through construction administration alongside the firm's MEP design services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully developed site specific rollouts for up to 300 Bank of America branch locations
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use GPW and Associates
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
GPW and Associates technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
GPW and Associates partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Walmart Electrical, Mechanical, Fire Protection, and Refrigeration CollectivecoreGPW is a member of the Walmart Electrical, Mechanical, Fire Protection, and Refrigeration Collective. They have been providing engineering services for Walmart since 2006, starting with Store Remodel-Special Projects Program and graduating to New Store Program and Remodel Program. Currently part of elite group of approved engineering consultants for Capital Expenditures HVAC/Refrigeration Projects nationwide and Sam's Club Remodels/Car Washes nationwide.
- Target National ProgramcoreAccepted into Target's New Store, Remodel, and Special Projects National Program in December 2020. GPW is part of a select group of approved Engineering firms to provide Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection and Refrigeration services on a national level.
- Kroger Supermarket Remodel ProgramcoreInvited into Kroger Supermarket Remodel Program in Spring 2011. GPW performs Site Assessments, MEP and Fire Protection Consulting, Construction Documentation and Administration. Contract covers Ohio/Midwest/Central and Delta Regions within Kroger family of stores including Dillon's, King Soopers, Food 4 Less, Baker's, Fred Meyer's, and Kroger Marketplace.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
GPW and Associates competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Henderson Engineers: MEP and building-systems engineering consultancy headquartered in the KC region, comparable size and direct overlap with GPW's retail, grocery, and commercial-vertical focus. Closest like-for-like competitor for national retail program work.
- Affiliated Engineers (AEI): Multi-discipline engineering firm specializing in MEP, fire protection, and energy systems for high-performance buildings, with comparable mission-critical, healthcare, and science clients.
- Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers (BR+A): MEP consulting firm with strong healthcare, higher-ed, and science/technology client base — comparable in scale and to GPW's healthcare and commercial/industrial segments.
- Environmental Systems Design (ESD): MEP and sustainable design engineering firm with strong retail, commercial, and mission-critical track record. Directly comparable in scope, delivery model, and target clients to GPW.
- RMF Engineering: MEP, structural, and civil engineering consultancy with comparable federal (DoD, VA, GSA), healthcare, and higher-ed portfolio — directly comparable to GPW's government IDIQ and healthcare work.
- ME Engineers: Building-systems MEP consulting firm with comparable service mix (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, technology) and similar national retail, sports, and commercial client portfolio. Direct competitor for the same national-program slots.
- Smith Seckman Reid (SSR): Engineering consulting firm with integrated MEP, structural, and commissioning services across healthcare, government, and commercial — directly overlapping GPW's vertical mix and project-delivery methods.
Emerging players
- Mazzetti: MEP and fire protection engineering consultancy with comparable healthcare, mission-critical, and sustainable-design orientation; smaller and more specialized but overlapping with GPW's professional-services positioning.
Broad incumbents
- WSP USA (Building Services): Global engineering consultancy with large MEP and federal practices. Competes with GPW on federal IDIQs and large national programs but as part of a much broader service portfolio.
- Page (now part of Stantec): Architecture and engineering firm with deep retail and commercial building-systems practice. Larger incumbent with broader portfolio; competes with GPW on national retail rollouts but also serves many other verticals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GPW and Associates social profiles
Digital presenceGPW and Associates compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
GPW and Associates financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GPW and Associates leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
GPW and Associates funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GPW and Associates M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GPW and Associates
What does GPW and Associates do?
GPW and Associates is an engineering consulting firm that provides Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Refrigeration (MEP&R) design services for commercial, retail, government, healthcare, and industrial building projects. Services span refrigeration system design, HVAC and plumbing/fire protection engineering, electrical systems engineering, and complementary professional services including project management, site assessments, and compliance studies. Deliverables are produced using CADD and Revit-based Building Information Modeling (BIM) and delivered through various contract structures including design-build, design-bid-build, and construction manager-at-risk methods, nationwide across 45 states.
Is GPW and Associates a public or private company?
GPW and Associates is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GPW and Associates founded?
GPW and Associates was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GPW and Associates based?
GPW and Associates is headquartered in Lawrence, United States, in the North America region.
How does GPW and Associates make money?
One revenue line is on record: engineering Consulting Services.
Who are GPW and Associates's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Henderson Engineers, Affiliated Engineers (AEI), Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers (BR+A), Environmental Systems Design (ESD), RMF Engineering, ME Engineers and Smith Seckman Reid (SSR). Mazzetti is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are WSP USA (Building Services) and Page (now part of Stantec).
Does GPW and Associates have an API?
No public API is recorded for GPW and Associates.
What industry is GPW and Associates in?
GPW and Associates's product category is Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineering Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAE, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing) Engineering Consulting, with a secondary code of IMAFAAAF, Construction Program Management (Multi-site/Portfolio). Its NAICS code is 541330 and its SIC code is 8711.