The scramble for Democratic convention dollars is officially underway.

Starting today, construction companies and architectural firms are being invited to bid on some of the largest contracts related to the 2012 event – the multimillion dollar upfit of Time Warner Cable Arena.

The Democratic National Convention Committee said it would evaluate proposals based on numerous criteria, including, but not limited to: experience, reliability, relationships to Charlotte and the surrounding region, participation of union labor, women, minorities and persons with disabilities, and local resources to support the endeavor.

“This process is open to all firms or teams who believe they have the necessary qualifications and capacity to build a world-class convention space,” DNCC Chief Executive Officer Steve Kerrigan said in a statement.

Given the convention’s potential economic impact – predicted to be between $150 million and $200 million – anticipation is high in some quarters over how some of the most lucrative deals will be awarded. A group calling itself the Carolina Regional Minority Partnership Coalition was recently formed to push for minority inclusion.

The group has called for convention organizers to establish minority participation goals, which was rejected.

Meanwhile, labor unions are eager to ensure that union workers also benefit from their long association with the Democratic party.

Charlotte organizers plan to award the construction and architectural contracts on Oct. 21.

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