| Volume 2, Issue 18 | August 18, 2010 |
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Government outsourcing escalating at an historic rate...
 Budget constraints have resulted in huge shifts in perspective for public officials throughout the country. Many government organizations that once fought privatization have now done an about-face. And, while the federal government is talking about in-sourcing, state and local public entities are willing to consider outsourcing all types of services. As a result, the public sector marketplace has become a major focus for thousands of firms that never considered selling to government in the past. Government privatization is by far the fastest growing sector for outsourcing.
Some types of government outsourcing have been commonplace years. The federal government has always spent billions with contractors.
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| Strategic Partnerships, Inc. provides opportunity identification for all 50 states. Click here for more information. | |
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| Breaking news...
$1.8 billion in broadband project funding announced |
Nearly 100 projects in 37 states to benefit from high-speed Internet infrastructure
 An investment of $1.8 billion in broadband projects was announced today, Wednesday, as Recovery Act funding will be distributed to 37 states in support of 94 broadband projects. These investments in high-speed Internet infrastructure will support education, health care and public safety. "The broadband investments announced today are going to put people to work in the near term, but they also will lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth down the road," said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke (pictured). Locke said the projects will help ensure that all Americans have access to the "full economic, educational and social benefits of high-speed Internet access."
Today's announcement includes 66 grants awarded by the Commerce Department for projects to deploy broadband infrastructure and connect community anchor institutions to broadband, create and upgrade public computer centers and encourage the sustainable adoption of broadband service. It also includes 28 awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for broadband infrastructure and satellite projects that will provide rural residents in 16 states and Native American tribal areas access to improved service. The Department of Commerce awards also contain grants for public safety broadband networks that will improve response times and communication at the scene of emergencies. (For information on the public safety awards, click here.)
Among the broadband awards are $102 million to the University of Arkansas System to offer affordable middle-mile broadband service in the state. The focus of the project is to enhance two community-sharing networks that focus on health care and education. Up to 1.32 million individuals and 61,000 businesses could benefit from the project. The City of Tallahassee, Florida, will use its $1.2 million award to enhance workforce skills, educational opportunities and digital literacy for low-income, low-literacy residents in underserved areas. The Foundation for California Community Colleges was awarded $10.9 million to provide outreach, training and educational support to increase digital literacy skills among students and their families. Texas A&M University has been awarded $6.6 million to help defray the costs of offering affordable middle-mile broadband service that will connect almost 50 community anchor institutions, including more than a dozen institutions of higher education. The New York Department of Labor will use its $536,000 award to help expand broadband computer access in the state and to partner with other agencies and organizations to leverage their investment in equipment, software and training materials. To view the complete list of awards, click here.
For information about this and other funding opportunities,contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.
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| Oklahoma approves $4.3 billion transportation plan |
Hundreds of bridges, highways to undergo improvements, replacements
 The Oklahoma Transportation Commission has approved a $4.3 billion plan to rehabilitate or replace hundreds of bridges and to improve highways throughout the state over the next eight years. The proposal includes more than 1,750 transportation projects. "The overall condition of our roadways will vastly improve," said Gary Ridley (pictured), Oklahoma Transportation Secretary and director of the Department of Transportation. A Washington nonprofit put Oklahoma at the top of the list of states with the highest percentage of deficient bridges in the country.
 The plan includes replacement of more than 650 bridges and rehabilitation projects that include parts of I-35, I-40 and I-44. Just seven years ago, the state's first eight-year road and bridge plan totaled only $1.8 billion. Since then, the state has steadily increased the tax dollars dedicated to transportation. "We've seen major improvements in our investment in the system," said Ridley. The department hopes to replace or rehabilitate at least 100 bridges per year. The state also recently benefited from $465 million in federal Recovery Act funding as well that was dedicated to transportation.
The department recently approved a $28 million contract to pave a part of a new section of I-40 Crosstown Expressway in Oklahoma City. It is the first of four such contracts that will complete the project. That project alone has a price tag of $650 million and is scheduled to open in 2012.
For information about this and other funding opportunities,contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.
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| Grants, loans for energy audits, feasibility studies, systems |
USDA program assists in energy efficiency, help reduce energy costs
 In an effort to promote energy independence by helping rural areas become more energy efficient, some $23.4 million in loans and grants have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for 186 projects. These projects are renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in rural areas. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the funding "will not only help our farmers and small businesses reduce energy costs, but also be more efficient and competitive."
 These funds can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, energy audits and renewable energy development assistance.
For example, Iowa Agriforce Ventures LLC has been awarded a grant of $43,000 and a loan of $64,500 to install a 35kw wind turbine. Iowa Jacobsen Homes Corp. was awarded a $23,000 grant and a $23,000 loan to install a geothermal system. Primus Farms, Inc. of Grundy, Iowa, will receive a $23,000 grant and a $23,000 loan. This funding will be used to replace an outdated grain dryer with a new, highly efficient grain dryer projecting over 54.58 percent in annual energy savings. In Franklin, Massachusetts, Berkshire East Ski Area has been selected for a $1.5 million guaranteed loan to assist rural small businesses in developing a renewable energy system. This project will fund a large wind energy generation system that will offset the firm's energy use and provide a portion for sale.
These energy efficiency programs can yield up to double digit energy savings. A ranch in Nebraska reduced its electricity draw from the local utility by 30 percent after it used a $14,000 USDA grant to install five wind turbines.
To view the list of awardees, click here.
For information about these and other funding opportunities,
contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.
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| UT Southwestern Medical Center plans new hospital |
12-story, 424-bed, $800 million teaching hospital may soon be built in Dallas
 A new $800 million state-of-the-art University Hospital at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas is one step away from becoming a reality. The UT System Board of Regents last week approved the plans for the facility, which will now have to be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The new hospital (as seen in the accompanying artist's rendering) would be a 12-story, 424-bed facility and would replace the University Hospital-St. Paul, which has become too costly to maintain, according to Daniel Podolsky (pictured), UT Southwestern president.
 Podolsky said the design allows the teaching hospital to provide "patient-centric care as well as integrate our education, research and clinical missions." The project will also include a dedicated thermal energy plant and facilities to support the hospital. The project will include 1.3 million square feet. The old hospital will remain functional while the new one is built. Officials hope for a March 2011 start date, with completion expected in late 2014.
Designers will include the latest medical technology, from robotics in the operating rooms to tracking systems to support safety, quality and cost-efficiency. Each patient room will include a dedicated seating area for families and visitors, refrigerators, bedside and dimmer controls for lighting, multimedia options and patient Internet access. No public funds will be used to finance the project. Money will come from revenue bonds, funds generated by university clinics and hospitals and philanthropy.
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| Upcoming education opportunities |
San Antonio school district calls $515 million bond election
 More than $43 million in safety and security improvements at 68 schools in the district highlight a $515 million bond election San Antonio ISD will take before voters in a fall election issue. The bond issue also includes renovations at 22 schools, district-wide technology upgrades and $35 million in improvements to the Alamo Stadium and Convocation Center. "This is not only about bricks and mortar," said Board President James Howard (pictured). "This is about programs our students need." If approved, the bond issue also will allow the district to continue its plans to close five schools and consolidate students from those schools into other newly renovated campuses. The bond issue also includes $6.2 million in technology upgrades at 68 schools, $183.2 million in major renovations and additions at elementary schools. Another $164.3 million in major renovations and additions would be on tap for secondary schools, while $73.8 million has been earmarked for vocation and career instruction. Playground equipment costs in the bond issue are $3.9 million and lighting at seven schools would amount to $2.2 million. Bus transportation energy efficiencies would cost $2.5 million.
Williamsport Area School Board welcomes state funding for center
The Pennsylvania state Department of Education has allocated $32.7 million to the Williamsport Area School Board. The funds are expected to be used to create a new district service center at the former middle school and a new middle school at the site for grades seven and eight. The center is expected to cost $4.4 million. Actual costs will be closer to $36 million. The district had applied to the state for almost $93 million in funding, $32.2 million for the center and $60.5 million for future renovation of the high school.
Kansas school district to put $35.51 million bond before voters
The El Dorado, Kansas, school district will hold a $35.51 million bond proposal in November. The proceeds from a successful bond issue would allow the district to build a new middle school and elementary school. Officials in the district say building a new facility would be cheaper than trying to renovate the existing building. The elementary school would be built on the site of the existing elementary school.
Defense Department schools in need of nearly $4 billion in upgrades
 More than three-fourths of all Defense Department schools are in need of upgrades and rehab, according to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA), which has led the Pentagon to seek $3.7 billion for repairs and replacement over the next five years. Seventy-eight percent of the schools for Defense Department dependents have been rated unacceptable, according to a recent study. With the $3.7 billion sought, still only seven schools are likely to be replaced and two others repaired during the next fiscal year. Russ Roberts (pictured), chief of logistics for DODEA, said the majority of the facilities are more than 45 years old. "The life expectancy of a school is 45 years," he said. "So that contributes a lot to the conditions, just the age alone." If Congress approves the funding, more than 130 schools in the United States and overseas could be modernized over the next five years. Some of the problems facing the schools are deteriorating roofs, plumbing problems, electrical wiring problems and heating and cooling systems that need repair or replacement. Officials say most of the older schools would be more expensive to repair than to replace. School addition in North Dakota subject of $4.4 million bond voteA $4.4 million school addition will be at stake in Velva, North Dakota, when voters go to the polls in September. The school addition would be approximately 22,000 square feet and will include a gym addition, updates and renovation of the vocational and agriculture education departments, addition of handicapped accessible bathrooms and moving the school cafeteria to the main floor so it will be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant. A commons area would also be added to the school cafeteria area. Texas school district planning nearly $148 million bond proposals
 The Eanes School District in Central Texas will put three bond proposals before voters in November. Proposition One would be for $70.8 million and addresses constructing, acquiring, renovating and equipping school buildings. It also includes bus purchases. Paul Stone (pictured), board chair, said he expects this proposal to pass since these are critical needs of the district. A second proposition includes $56.8 million to build a new elementary school and renovate three existing elementary schools. Proposition three would be for $20.2 million and would build new facilities that include a swim center, a student fitness activity center and add more parking at the high school. "We'd love to have it all," said Stone of the three proposals, "but we want to ask the community, 'When are you willing to pay for it?'" Improvements on tap at Nebraska school with bond sale
The Shenandoah School District in Nebraska will sell more than $5 million in school infrastructure revenue bonds to pay for improvements to school facilities. The bond proceeds will be used to complete remodeling and upgrading of facilities, including finishing the remodeling at the administration building and possibly adding aluminum seating at Mustang Field. Other upgrades include the high school science rooms and moving the music rooms closer to the auditorium. Long-range, the school is also looking at probably replacing the bus barn.
School improvement projects in New Mexico depend on $50M bond vote
School improvement projects at Farmington, New Mexico, schools are on hold until voters decide the fate later this month of a $50 million bond vote. The bond issue would pay for a new Tibbetts Middle School. The current school was built in 1941 and is the oldest building in the district. Officials feel a new school would be safer for students than trying to rehabilitate the old school. The new school would cost approximately $35 million. District officials plan to spend $15 million of the bond proceeds if the bond issue passes, and then apply to the state Public School Capital Outlay Council for another $20 million. The remainder of the bond proceeds would be used for projects throughout the district, including replacing the turf and track at the stadium and repairing the roof and parking lot at Piedra Vista High School. Georgia Board of Regents approves new college building
 The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia recently approved a request for $7.6 million in funding for the design and construction of a new Teacher Education and Learning Center at College of Coastal Georgia. The 30,000-square-foot building will be built in Brunswick. The final say on the facility will be in the hands of the Georgia General Assembly, which must approve funding for construction. The learning center was one of only 16 projects in the system to have construction projects approve for FY 2012. College President Valerie Hepburn (pictured) said being approved is "really important," noting that, "It's been a long time since his community has gotten its fair share." The facility would house teacher education degree programs and will include classrooms, teaching and computer labs, conference rooms, study lounges, a learning center, faculty offices and an administrative suite. If funding is approved, the center could be ready for use in January 2013. Nebraska voters OK $18 million bond to build new school
Students in the Seward school district in Nebraska will soon have a new middle school building. Voters recently approved an $18 million bond election. The new building will be built on the northeast side of town. The current middle school was built in the 1900s but has added an addition since then. Officials hope the new school will be ready for use in time for the 2012-2013 school year. Santa Monica College approves master plan for renovations, construction
 The Career and Educational Facilities Master Plan for Santa Monica College has been approved by the Board of Trustees of the college. The plan includes renovations, new construction and demolition on three campuses and the Olympic shuttle lot. It also seeks to incorporate existing facilities and planned improvements previously approved by trustees. Among other features of the plan are the consolidation of digital media programs on the entertainment and technology campus, seismic repair and expansion of facilities at the Performing Arts Campus, parking and circulation improvements, landscaping, general site improvements and long-range planning for the Olympic shuttle site. Also proposed are a rebuilding of the Corsair Field stadium and replacement facilities for math and physical education. "The college emerged as a thoughtful and caring institution while carrying out the demanding mission of educating large numbers of students in the greater community," said Dr. Chui Tsang (pictured), college president. "The board's effort advances the mission of the institution while discharging our duties as a responsible member of this community." Some of the major projects in the plan are the replacement of the math building, construction of a new science wing and expansion of the digital media facility at the academy campus. The first major project is at the Academy of Entertainment and Technology Campus, where a groundbreaking is expected on the first phase by the end of the year.
Tennessee school bond will help renovate facility
The Dyer County (Tennessee) School System will receive more than $5.7 million to replace an old building and portable classrooms at Newbern Elementary. The bond is part of the second round of awards of Qualified School Construction Bonds funded through the federal Recovery Act. The loan will be used to demolish the old high school building and remove all portable classrooms. The new facility will be built on the same site. The old building, at age 95 years, is not handicapped accessible and does not meet modern building codes. The existing cafeteria, kitchen, kindergarten wing, gym and fifth grade classrooms will remain.
For information about these and other funding opportunities,
contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.
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| Opportunity of the week... |
A $40 million bond issue for stormwater improvements for a city in Missouri has been approved by voters. The city will first put together a scope of work for a consultant to create a master plan to prioritize stormwater projects and then proposals will be solicited for engineering firms to perform the work. Want to know more? Contact Reagan Weil at 512-531-3900 or rweil@spartnerships.com.
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| Other upcoming contracting opportunities |
New Desmond Bridge project in Long Beach tops $1.1 billion
 Ground is expected to be broken in early 2012 on a $1.1 billion plan to replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge in Long Beach. It will be Long Beach's largest infrastructure project in decades. "We need to make this investment," said Harbor Commissioner Mike Walter (pictured), of a project that took more than a decade to work on its details and funding. Engineering working could begin within the next few months. The project will be funded with local, state and federal funds and will employ some 4,000 workers each year for six years. The new bridge will be located just feet from the existing structure and once the new bridge is complete, the old one will be torn down. It will be wider than the existing bridge.
Three national cemeteries in Kansas to get $1M in improvements, equipment
Three national cemeteries in Kansas are due $1 million in federal stimulus money from the Department of Veterans Affairs to make improvements and buy equipment. The cemeteries are at Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth and Fort Scott national cemeteries. Leavenworth National Cemetery is slated to receive more than $485,000 for repairs to a maintenance building, to purchase a vehicle and to repair two historic monuments. Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery is due more than $201,000 to paint a maintenance building, repair roads and curbing and to buy equipment. The Fort Scott National Cemetery will use its nearly $400,000 allotment to repair roads.
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport garners $6.5M in stimulus funds
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and area aviation facilities will share $9 million in Recovery Act funding. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that $5 million will be used to install a new approach lighting system for Runway 27L. Another $1.5 million will be used to install a new engine generator system for the FAA's airport traffic control tower. This will ensure essential backup power for air traffic control operations at Hartsfield-Jackson. Finally, $4.2 million will be used for upgrades around the Atlanta area and the National Network Control Center in Hampton, Ga., will use $2.6 million for a power distribution system.
Iowa voters approve bond issue to building new law enforcement facility
 Voters in Montgomery County, Iowa, recently approved a bond issue that calls for a new law enforcement facility. The price of the new facility is not expected to exceed $5.675 million. The bond issue passed easily. Montgomery County Sheriff Joe Sampson (pictured) said he appreciated the citizens of the county "stepping forward in a positive way for the new law enforcement center." The current jail was built in 1899 and cannot comply with many of the state's jail standards, according to the sheriff.
New Mexico fire departments preparing for new vehicles
Utilizing federal stimulus funds and city funds, seven fire departments in New Mexico will have funding to purchase new wildland fire trucks. The money comes from state severance bond funds, which were approved by the New Mexico Legislature and the governor. The governor has agreed to commit $686,000 of the state's stimulus funds to the purchases by Albuquerque firefighters of fire safety equipment replacement, and the city is throwing in an additional $150,000. Much of the fire safety equipment includes 167 air packs that will allow firefighters to enter burning buildings with a safe air supply.
Lower-level courtyard approved for Boston Town Hall
Trustees of the Boston Township have approved spending more than $11,000 for a new lower-level courtyard at Boston Town Hall. The Boston Town Hall Committee will pay for the changes and throw in $4,000 to the project. Construction should begin in September.
November bond election to decide fate of Curry County courthouse
Voters in Curry County, New Mexico, will go to the polls in November to decide whether they want to raise taxes to pay for a new courthouse. The project would result in up to $16.5 million from property increases to pay for the courthouse. Voters also will decide the fate of a quarter-cent gross receipts tax increase proposal that would be used for capital improvement projects. Officials say those improvements include upgrades at the existing jail and the addition of a new two-story jail.
$1.2 billion expansion planned for JFK Airport terminal 4
 A $1.2 billion plan to redevelop and expand Terminal 4 at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York has been approved by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Construction is expected to begin in September. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (pictured) said the expansion will make it easier for people to travel to New York City. "Not only will this $1.2 billion project cement New York City's status as the nation's top travel destination," he said, "it will also create an additional 10,000 jobs over the next three years." State-of-the-art facilities are planned with modern, welcoming facilities and an enhanced terminal hub.
Maryland county's project will convert landfill gas into electricity
Anne Arundel County Council in Maryland has approved the renewable energy project that would convert landfill gas into electricity. The proposed construction of the methane converter plant will be on the Millersville Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility in Severn. All revenue collected from the electricity and emission reduction credit generated by the project will go to the county. A $2 million federal grant and $4 million in county bonds will be used to construct the plant and proceeds from electricity sales will cover the $600,000 annual operating costs.
New Mexico airport to get $1.2 million for runway improvements
The Aztec Municipal Airport in New Mexico has been granted $1.2 million in federal funds, which will go toward runway improvements that will help the airport meet federal regulations and improve safety for airline passengers. The improvements relate to the 4,300-foot main runway. which has always been uneven. The asphalt, which was put down in 1981, is only one inch thick and is near the end of its life cycle, according to airport officials. Other construction will include widening. Officials are hoping for an October project start.
$356 million expansion to San Quentin Prison seeking bids
 California has begun seeking bids from contractors to build a $356 million expansion to its prison facility that holds death row inmates. The new addition would include 768 cells, 1,152 beds, six guard towers, a hospital and two fences. The state treasurer has been reluctant to issue bonds for the project because of a lawsuit against the governor for vetoing a bill that would have required the state to answer questions about the proposed project before funding it. Assemblyman Jared Huffman (pictured) said the governor acted outside the law when he vetoed the bill. In spite of the suit, the State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is seeking bids on two phases of the project. One would demolish existing buildings and install utilities. The other would include installing an emergency generator, improving an Interstate off-ramp and construction of three housing units and six guard towers.
Variety of contracts available in El Paso area
A variety of bids have been announced by government entities in the El Paso area. The El Paso Independent School District is seeking bids for photography services and the Gadsden ISD is seeking bids for the construction of site improvements at an elementary school. El Paso Community College is seeking bids for printing for 2011 continuing education class schedules and the City of Socorro is seeking bids for a concrete driveways construction project.
Five architectural firms to compete for San Diego Convention Center expansionFive architectural firms have been selected to compete for the more than $710 million expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. Each will be asked to submit design proposals by early October. A committee will then conduct interviews and make its recommendation. The recommendation will be reviewed by the city-port-convention center corporation board. Teams will be asked for design ideas. The winning team will defend its design before the California Coastal Commission, go through environmental review and justify expected increases in fees and perhaps taxes. The team that wins the competition will be asked to estimate the cost of their proposal, but some have estimated the cost at $53 million per year, with some of the financing perhaps requiring voter approval. Missouri water systems awarded $1.456 million in grants
 Fifty public water supply systems in Missouri have together been awarded $1.46 million in grants for engineering studies. The funds, from the federal Recovery Act, will pay for engineering reports and facility plans to include data collection, analysis and water system planning. Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Mark N. Templeton (pictured) said providing a reliable, safe supply of drinking water "requires a substantial investment in infrastructure" and the grant funds will help communities with the first step - engineering studies. Engineers will be hired to study the water systems and advise the communities on how to achieve or maintain compliance with drinking water rules and regulations. Seventeen public water systems in the Kansas City Region will collectively receive more than $526,000. Another nine in the Northeast Region will together be allocated more than $252,000, while nine systems in the Southeast Region will get a total of more than $324,000. The St. Louis region's nine systems will receive a total of more than $219,000 and six systems in the Southwest Region together will share more than $144,000. Public water supplies that received an engineering report are given preferential consideration when applying for a loan from the Missouri State Revolving Loan Fund.
New Mexico government entities seeking bids for numerous projects
Bids are being sought for a variety of governmental projects in New Mexico. Dona Ana County is seeking bids for the construction of the Dona Ana County Airport and improvements at Santa Teresa. Several federal government bids also are being sought. The U.S. Justice Department's El Paso Intelligence Center is looking for bids for preventative maintenance and new work services on the PBX equipment and its components. The U.S. Department of the Army is seeking bids from small businesses to provide cable assembly, fiber optic for Fort Bliss and bids from small businesses to provide TRI W-G Motorized Hi-Lo Mat Table for the Beaumont Army Medical Center. Bids are being sought from small businesses by the International Boundary and Water Commission for Mesilla Phase 2 levee improvements in Radium Springs, Dona Ana, Las Cruces and Mesilla in Dona Ana County.
Kansas City, Missouri, recommends $14M roads, sidewalks plan
An advisory committee has recommended that the city of Kansas City, Missouri, spend $14 million on neighborhood projects. The City Council voted to sell $67.3 million in bonds over a two-year period. The list includes projects in four council districts and the remaining two districts will make their recommendations later. Among the projects are street improvements, curb and sidewalk reconstruction projects, a streetscape and construction of an aquatics center. Illinois board approves widening of roadway to eliminate bottleneck
 The Lake County (Illinois) Board has approved issuance of $32 million in general obligation bonds for a project to widen Route 21 and eliminate a major bottleneck between Libertyville and Gurnee. The bonds will be repaid with proceeds from a state-enacted quarter-cent transportation sales tax. "This is going to be a huge help," said Board Member Carol Calabresa (pictured) of Libertyville. She said the bottleneck is not only an inconvenience for drivers, but also a concern for emergency personnel seeking to traverse that roadway to reach a nearby medical center. The Illinois Department of Transportation took the county up on its offer of $50 million in transportation sales tax funding to help with traffic congestion on major state roads. The project should take about two years. Nebraska county voters approve bonds to build new hospital facility
Voters in Fillmore County, Nebraska, have approved the issuance of up to $18 million to build a hospital in Geneva in southeast Nebraska. The new facility will replace one built in 1961. Voters are hopeful hospital revenues can pay off the facility. It will have 20 beds.
Detroit light rail project expecting groundbreaking next year
Officials in Detroit are expecting to break ground next year on the Woodward Light Rail project from downtown to Eight Mile. Already, $125 million has been raised in public and private funds toward the project. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $500 million. Washington will conduct an environmental impact study to move the project forward. Homeland Security Grant announced for Los Angeles
 More than $69.9 million in 2010 Urban Area Security Initiative grant funding has been announced for the Los Angeles/Long Beach Urban Area, the largest allocation in the state and the second largest in the nation. Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca (pictured) said joint effort, prevention, response and recovery "is a solid and sensible way" to protect the citizens of Los Angeles County. The funds are used to help prevent, detect and respond to terrorist attacks. An 11-member board will decide how the funding will be allocated throughout the region. Among the possible purchases from the funding are interoperable communications equipment, joint hazard assessment teams and joint terrorism task force, automated license plate reader systems, a digital forensic lab network and centralized server, satellite radio communications systems, wireless equipment, bomb squad kits, SWAT equipment, air support surveillance cameras and community emergency response training, to name a few. For information about these and other funding opportunities,
contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.
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Where are they now?
| | Are you a government official who has moved into a new position or to a new agency? Did you recently retire? Were you recently named to an executive-level position at a state-supported college, university or community college? Have you secured a new job as superintendent of a public school? If so, we'd like to hear from you - and so would your friends and colleagues - for our "Where Are They Now" column. Just drop us a line at editor@spartnerships.com and let us know about your previous job and where you are now. This week we feature Anne Margulies.
 Anne Margulies earned her bachelor's degree from State University of New York at Plattsburgh. She began her career in systems support for a major telecommunications company. From 1986 to 1998, she held information technology positions at Harvard University, serving as assistant provost and executive director for Information Systems. She left Harvard in 1998 to become executive vice president for a government relations, public affairs and communications consulting firm. She joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as executive director of a large scale Web-based initiative that provides free, world-wide access to MIT's course materials. She also managed the development of the project from startup into a permanent department at MIT. Margulies was then tapped in 2007 to serve as Massachusetts Assistant Secretary for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer. She also served as assistant secretary for Administration and Finance. Margulies was recently named chief information officer at Harvard University, a position she will start in September. She will replace Daniel D. Moriarty, who resigned in 2009. |
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| People |
  Carolyn Horner (top left), executive administrative assistant to Las Cruces, New Mexico, Mayor Ken Miyagishima, has been named the mayor's new policy analyst. One of the nation's longest-serving community college presidents, Stuart Steiner (top right) of the State University of New York's Genesee Community College, will retire at the end of the coming academic year after 37 years as president and his 45th year at the college. Brian Davis, a 25-year public safety professional from Michigan, has been named head of the Freeport, Texas, Fire and EMS and will be leaving his post as regional fire authority deputy chief in Looking Glass, Michigan, to head to Texas. Sgt. Texas Forest Service Planning and Forest Policy Coordinator Jan Davis (upper middle left) has been named by the U.S. Forest Service to serve as assistant director of the USDA  Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, effective in September. Philadelphia Budget Director Stephen J. Agostini (upper middle right) will leave his post at the end of the month to return to the federal government, where he will become chief financial officer at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in Washington, the central human resources agency for the federal government. Mark Johnson, town administrator of Atoka, Tennessee, has been named city manager of Minneola, Florida, and will take over for former City Manager Sam Oppelaar, who resigned in October of last year. G. David Pollick (lower middle left) has resigned from his position as president of Birmingham-Southern College. Tony O'Rourke, who has served the last 14 years as executive director of Beaver Creek Resort Company in Colorado, has been named city manager of South Lake   Tahoe, California. Interim police chief Mark Mann (lower middle right), who has served in that position in the city of Buckeye, Arizona, since March, has been named chief to replace former Chief Robert Daniels, who resigned and under whom Mann served as assistant chief. Don Saling, current Homeland Security coordinator for southeast Colorado and former Pueblo West district manager, has been named city manager of Trinidad, Colorado, replacing Jim Soltis, who is retiring. Sean Pate, former city administrator of Balcones Heights, Texas, has been named city manager for the city of Gladewater, Texas. Mike Jackson, who was hired by the city of Spokane Valley, Washington, as Parks and Recreation Director and then promoted to deputy city manager, has been named city manager after serving since February as acting city manager when the sitting city manager was asked to resign. Charles Campbell (bottom left), the Military Health System's chief  information officer, has been rumored to be moved to a temporary assignment at the U.S. Department of Defense's office of the chief information officer, an organization the department may soon close. J. Todd Roberts (bottom right), current schools superintendent in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been tabbed by the UNC Board of Governors to lead the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics as chancellor. Ronald Petrie of the Little Falls, New York, Police Department will bring a decade of law enforcement experience to his new position as police chief for the Village of Frankfort, replacing former Chief Steve Conley, who retired. Kathy Millison, former city manager of Clovis, California, is the new city manager for the city of Santa Rosa, California, effective Oct. 4. The City of Mendota, California, has chosen Krystal M. Chojnacki, former Economic Development Coordinator in Coalinga and community development coordinator in Fresno County, as its new city manager, effective Sept. 14. Seattle's Acting Police Chief John Diaz has had the interim removed from his title and is now chief of police for the city. The Avon Park, Florida, City Council has picked James Coleman, former acting city engineer and public works director of Leesburg and former Lady Lake town manager, its first choice for its new city manager. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Police Department veteran of 29 years and current commander of the department's Uniform Patrol Bureau, Ernest "Roger" Tully, has been named chief of the Alexandria, Louisiana, Police Department.
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Does your organization or agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to either vendors who do business with government or officials and workers in state and local government, higher education, public education or health care? Are you planning a webinar? A conference or seminar? The State & Local Government Pipeline invites government and nonprofits to send information regarding your events for consideration to be included in our FREE Calendar of Events section below. In addition to providing contact information, the day, date, time and a synopsis of the event, you may also include a link to additional information on your Web page and/or a link to online registration that we'll include. Please submit your event information to editor@spartnerships.com. |
| Calendar of events |
Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists planning 6th Annual Conference
The Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists' 6th Annual Conference, featuring the general conference and networking activities, will be held Sept. 8-10 in Orlando at the Renaissance Orlando Hotel at SeaWorld, 6677 Sea Harbor Drive. To register, click here.
TxDOT continues offering webinars for small minority businesses
The Texas Department of Transportation's Business Outreach & Program (BOP) Services branch is still conducting its webinars targeting small, minority and women business owners in the field of construction and professional services in Texas. Only three webinars remaining for the 2010 fiscal year. The external online seminars topics range from how to become a pre-qualified bidder on TxDOT contracts to online access of bid lettings and contract plans and much more. Each session aims to provide valuable information to contractors, suppliers and small businesses on how TxDOT operates with external parties, how to better understand processes and procedures and improve opportunities to bid and obtain contracts with TxDOT. Invited parties include potential contractors, subcontractors, supplies, DBEs and any other small businesses. Each free webinar is limited and registration slots are on a first-come-first-serve basis. More information on each webinar can be found at www.txdot.gov. Questions should be forwarded to TxDOT-BOP Webinars@dot.state.tx.us or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2 for more information.
FEMA grant recipients can attend grants management workshopsBasic Fundamentals of Grants Management Workshops for recipients of FEMA grant funding are being planned as a cooperative effort of FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate and the National Criminal Justice Association. The Grants Management Technical Assistance program provides grants management principles and practices to state, regional, local and tribal jurisdictions. The next workshop will be held Aug. 24-25 in New York. Basic principles and practices to enhance the ability of FEMA grant recipients to administer grant funding will be addressed. Target audience will include direct recipients such as State Administrative Agencies, Transit Security Grant Program and Port Security Grant Program personnel, Assistance to Firefighter Grant specialists and/or subrecipients such as Urban Areas Initiative personnel. Registration for the workshop is free, but participants are responsible for travel and lodging costs.
4th Annual HAZUS conference slated in August in Indianapolis
The 4th Annual HAZUS Conference is slated for Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 23-25, at the Indiana Government Center, South Building in Indianapolis. HAZUS-MH is a risk assessment methodology used to analyze potential losses from natural hazards including floods, hurricane winds and earthquakes. HAZUS uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software combined with science, engineering and math modeling to map and display hazard data and the results of damage and economic loss estimates for buildings and infrastructure. It was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under contract with the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). Federal, state and local government agencies and the private sector can order HAZUS-MH free-of-charge from the FEMA Publication Warehouse. The purpose of this site is to promote HAZUS training and provide quick links to key resources that encourage the use of HAZUS to ensure the safety of the United States. To register, click here. |
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