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Volume 2, Issue 23
September 29, 2010
Why does public sector try so hard to steer contracts to small businesses? 
 
Mary Scott NabersSometimes it seems unfair. Preferences in government contracting...why would government allow that??? Well, when you look at the business reasons, they are not all bad.
 
Small businesses are, according to all statistics, the drivers of the American economy. When they prosper, the entire country prospers. Small firms create more jobs each year, hold more patents and employ half of all working Americans. In this economy, when job creation is absolutely critical, it is in the nation's best interest to help small companies do well. Considering all this, government contracting with small businesses makes sense.
 

IN THIS ISSUE
Library awards mean opportunities
RECs expand for health IT
Millions for water projects
Upcoming education opportunities
Opportunity of the week
Other upcoming opportunities
Where are they now?
People
Calendar of events
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. provides opportunity identification for all 50 states. Click here for more information.
How helpful is this?
Contracting opportunities plentiful in library awards
 
Funding will pay for construction, technology, security, energy efficiency, more
 
Libraries FundedContracting opportunities will be plentiful in nearly 130 rural communities throughout the country after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Recovery Act funding for building and enhancing public libraries. The funding will lead to opportunities for new construction, renovations, technology upgrades, furniture and library equipment purchases, security systems, online capabilities, energy efficiency projects and more. 
 
Libraries in 30 states were recipients of the funding. "Libraries are the centerpiece of rural community life, but in many cases they need additional funding to provide rural residents with computer access, modern equipment and new training and educational opportunities," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. These libraries often provide rural residents with access to technology and resources they otherwise would not have. The $15 million in funding comes from USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Program. Another $10.2 million is being added from other sources. 
 
Below are some examples of the funding.   
  • San Bernadino County in California will receive a $1.5 million loan and a $500,000 grant to construct a library and a pre-school facility;
  • The City of LaFollette, Tennessee, will get a $1 million loan and $200,000 grant to renovate a building and add space;
  • The City of Hidalgo, Texas, will receive a grant of $159,486 to purchase new library tables, chairs and a new circulation and reference desk;
  • The City of Winlock, Washington, will get a grant of $7,500 to install new windows;
  • The Mississippi town of Sherman will receive $10,620 in grant funds to renovate flooring and blinds, purchase light fixtures, computers, printers, books and materials;
  • The City of Centralia, Kansas, will get a grant of $42,750 to improve its library with new energy-efficient windows, a new roof, new carpet and external brick repair; and 
  • The town of Cairo, New York, will receive a $3.077 million loan and a $200,000 grant to construct a new library. 
For a complete list of projects and funding, click here and look under "Recent Reports."
 
For information about these and other funding opportunities,

contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.
 
Nationwide system of Regional Extension Centers completed

 
Final two of 62 entities that will assist with electronic health records selected 
 
David BlumenthalThe final two Regional Extension Centers (RECs) have been selected that complete the nationwide system whose goal is to help physicians and hospitals make the switch to the use of electronic health records (EHRs). The final two RECs will cover New Hampshire and Orange County in California. Two other previously-named RECs in Florida have also had their service areas expanded.
 
David Blumenthal, M.D. (pictured), national coordinator for health information technology (Health IT), said RECs now are in place in every region of the country as the health care industry makes the switch to electronic health IT. "For primary care physicians and smaller hospitals in particular, the RECs will be an important resource to help meet the challenges of adopting EHRs and using them to deliver better care."
 
The latest RECs and their two-year award amounts include:
  • CalOptima Foundation, covering Orange County, California - $4,662,426; and
  • Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative, covering the state of New Hampshire -$5,105,495.
Health ITIn Florida, Community Health Centers Alliances' area was expanded to now include Glades and Hendry counties and Health Choice Network of Florida's coverage now also includes areas in Indian River, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties.
 
The RECs will benefit from approximately $2 billion from the federal Recovery Act to facilitate the switch to EHRs, which are expected to reduce health care costs, create more efficient medical care and reduce medical errors. Of that amount, $677 million is allocated over the next two years. The RECs will offer training and technical assistance to eligible primary care providers in smaller practices and to small and rural hospitals and public health clinics. Incentive programs that could total up to $27.4 billion over 10 years also are available to qualified recipients from the Medicare and Medicaid EHR programs. To view the complete list of RECs and the amount awarded, click here and look under "Recent Reports."
 
Texas entities get millions for water, wastewater projects
 
More than $157.7 million in financial assistance announced through state agency
 
The Texas Water Development Board has approved more than $157.7 million in financial assistance to a number of government entities. The assistance includes: 
  • City of Granite Shoals - $14.745 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance wastewater system improvements;
  • City of Hutto - $5.175 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance wastewater system improvements; 
  • Trinity River Authority-Central Regional Wastewater System (Dallas, Tarrant, Ellis, Johnson and Denton counties) - $104.615 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance wastewater system improvements;
  • Trinity River Authority - Denton Cree Regional Wastewater System (Tarrant and Denton counties) - $28.035 million finance wastewater system improvements;
  • City of San Augustine - $1.050 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund-Disadvantaged Communities Program to finance wastewater system improvements;
  • Olmito Water Supply Corp. - $2.601 million from the Economically Distressed Areas Program to finance first-time wastewater service facilities; and
  • Harris County Fresh Water Supply District No. 47 - $1.5 million from the Texas Water Development Fund to finance water system improvements. 
 For information about these and other funding opportunities,
contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900 
 

Strategic Selling to GovernmentProcurement Consulting
Upcoming education opportunities
 
Missouri school board views construction plans for construction
Mark MayoOfficials of the Marshfield (Missouri) R-1 School District saw preliminary drawings recently of proposed construction that will result in new high school classrooms, a new cafeteria and physical education area. The architects note the plans should be completed within the next couple of weeks and if that deadline is met, bids will likely be sought by the end of October. Superintendent Mark Mayo (pictured) said the bond election in which voters approved the construction was easier to sell since it was offered without a tax increase. The first part of the project will be completion of the classrooms, followed by a joint cafeteria and classroom addition between the elementary and junior high. The final phase of the $5 million project will be renovating the junior high cafeteria for a physical education facility and will require a major overhaul of electric wiring.
 
Fresno State to purchase equipment for nursing students with stimulus funds
Fresno State's Department of Nursing has been awarded $174,356 in federal stimulus funds that will be used to purchase simulation mannequins on which to practice their nursing skills. The mannequins will become part of the university's nursing simulation lab, which has a planned opening in February of next year.
 
Navajo college awarded $700,000 to be used for student housing
The Dine College, a Navajo Nation college, has been named recipient of $700,000in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money is part of $6.3 million being split among eight tribal colleges. The Dine College plans to use the money to construct new residential housing units for students with children. The 30,000-square-foot facility will be built on the main campus in Tsaile, Arizona. 
 
Alabama school's capital improvement plan includes numerous projects
Linda Felton-SmithA capital improvement plan approved recently for the Troy (Alabama) City Schools includes a new middle school, upgrades to 21st century classrooms, a new pre-K facility and more. Superintendent Dr. Linda Felton-Smith (pictured) said the estimated cost to outfit a 21st century classroom is $7,500 and the district has some 100 classrooms. Among the technology necessary for those classrooms would be electronic whiteboards, speakers, document cameras, DVD recorders, camcorders and more. That project would be funded from the system's cash reserves. "There's no doubt the instruction will be better once teachers learn how to utilize the technology," said the superintendent. RFPs for architectural firms for a new middle school are being sought and will be reviewed in October. Other proposed projects include renovation of a high school cafeteria and construction of a softball complex at the high school.

Idaho school seeks solar energy grant for installation of solar panels
The Blaine County (Idaho) School District is seeking additional federal stimulus funding to help pay for solar panels it plans to use to generate some of its own electricity. The Idaho Solar Panels for Schools Program has $2.75 million in Recovery Act funding that will be distributed to six school districts in Idaho. The projects seeking grant funds must show they are capable of producing 20 kilowatts of electricity. The Blaine County schools will likely seek $500,000 to install solar panels on the gymnasium on the Carey School campus. If the school wins the grant award, installation of the panels could begin this winter.
 
Two dozen Des Moines schools to share funding for renovations
Twenty-four Des Moines schools will share $112.5 million in funding for building improvements. A statewide sales tax over the next five years will provide the funding. Schools are expected to get new windows and doors, safer drop-off areas for students, updated lighting, technology upgrades, mechanical and electrical system upgrades and more. Some schools also will have temporary classrooms replaced with new additions.
 
Boston University making plans for $50 million student service center
Student Service CenterBoston University's plans for a new $50 million, 99,600-square-foot East Campus Student Service Center have been approved by the city's redevelopment authority. The six-story center will include a 900-seat state-of-the-art dining facility in the basement, first floor and second floor. The third through sixth floors will include an undergraduate academic and career advising center. The lower level will have a coffee shop and a multi-purpose room that can seat up to 150. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2011. The project, which received the nod from the Boston Redevelopment Authority, will replace a parking lot and a small two-story building on the site. The building will have 64,000 square feet of student services-related office space and 36,000 square feet of university dining facilities. Six academic service centers will be relocated to the new facility. The dining facility will replace antiquated facilities that exist now. Those spaces will be converted to student lounges, snack bars and student support space.
 
Iowa school's successful $13.6M bond will build new middle school
Voters in the Dallas Center-Grimes school district in Iowa have approved a $13.6 million bond referendum that will lead to construction of a new middle school. The 100,000-square-foot school will be attached or adjacent to one end of the high school. The total construction cost is expected to be $15 million and a fall 2012 opening date is anticipated. The design phase for the school will get under way in the next 60 days and bids will be accepted in January or February of next year. 
 
North Dakota school district bond issue to fund additions, renovations
A $4.4 million bond issue was recently passed for the Velva (North Dakota) schools. The bond proceeds will be used to pay for a school addition and renovation project. The project will include a new kitchen and lunch room area, handicapped accessible restrooms, a gymnasium and renovations to the school's vocational agriculture facility.
 
UMass planning $546 million in construction projects at five campuses
Jack WilsonConstruction work will be heavy on all five campuses of the University of Massachusetts after the Board of Trustees approved a borrowing plan that will fund $546 million in construction projects. Among the projects are $182 million for student housing at UMass Amherst, $100 million for a new academic building at UMass Boston, $25 million for a marine science building at UMass Dartmouth and a $20 million new campus garage at UMass Lowell. UMass has spent some $2 billion on construction and renovation projects in the last 10 years. UMass President Jack M. Wilson (pictured) said the new facilities will ensure a "world-class learning experience" while allowing UMass "to play a critical role in shaping and fueling the Commonwealth's innovation economy." The university also approved a $2.5 billion, five-year capital plan.
 
New elementary school on tap in Oregon school district after bond vote
A $4 million bond election was recently passed in the Imbler (Oregon) School District. The bonds will be used to fund a new elementary school. The new school will be a 27,000-square-foot structure. It will replace an elementary facility built in 1912.
 
For information about these and other funding opportunities,
contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.

Did you miss TGI?
Opportunity of the week...
 
A regional airport in Florida will receive a $2 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to upgrade its terminal building. The upgrades will include a baggage handling system, additional bathrooms, a security area for the Transportation Security Administration and a concessions area. Want to know more? Contact Reagan Weil at 512-531-3900 or
rweil@spartnerships.com.
 
Other upcoming contracting opportunities
 
Tennessee's Metro government of Nashville approves $250M capital spending plan
Karl DeanThe Metro government of Nashville, Tennessee, has approved issuing general obligation bonds to help pay for a long list of projects from Mayor Karl Dean's (pictured) capital spending plan. The bond issuance is expected not to exceed $250 million and includes $209.8 million in capital improvement projects and $31 million in self-funded projects. Among the projects are a revamped portion of a mall in Antioch that will include a new library, public health center and public park; a highway connector to bridge north Nashville with west Nashville; a plan to locate a new DNA crime lab and Metro Transit Authority administrative offices at a former truck manufacturing site in Madison, a planning and public input phase for a new 40-acre park at the fairgrounds site; a new community center at Sevier Park and $20 million in road and infrastructure work and $15.5 million for new sidewalks and bikeways. 
 
Texas water supply corp. gets loan, grant funds for water project  
A $3.4 million grant and an $18.5 million loan from the federal Recovery Act will help the Sharyland Water Supply Corp. in Texas build a water treatment plant and water lines. The funds will be used to build the plant and approximately 2,500 feet of water lines, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which announced the funding. The corporation will commit $9.7 million of its own money to the project as well.
 
Another $5 million for transportation projects heads to New Mexico
More than $5 million in U.S. Department of Transportation funding is headed to New Mexico for a variety of transportation projects. Some $3 million of that amount will be used to purchase 36 vans for ABQ Ride and for renovation of fueling stations and transit maintenance facilities. Another $1 million of the total will be set aside for Grant County to construct a transit facility and purchase four mini-buses. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration has awarded more than $1 million for upgrades at airports in Farmington, Santa Fe and near Ruidosa.
 
Marketing opportunity will open up as result of ag products grant
Douglas FisherMarketing is one of the uses for an $840,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant awarded to New Jersey to be administered by the state's Department of Agriculture. The funds will be distributed for 10 projects. The grant is to be used for education, marketing and promotion of New Jersey agriculture products. New Jersey Agriculture Commissioner Douglas Fisher (pictured) said the grant will help the state's farmers promote their products, which supports economic growth and the development of vital industries such as agriculture.
 
Illinois' Lake County to issue $32M in bonds for road construction
Officials in Lake County (Illinois) will issue $32 million in bonds to widen the last stretch of highly traveled state Route 137. The project calls for widening more than two miles north to Route 120 and will include an overpass or underpass to connect two trails and expand the Milwaukee-Route 137 intersection to try to eliminate a bottleneck. The work is expected to be bid in June of next year, with construction expected by next summer. The bonds for the project will be backed by a regional sales tax increase approve two years ago to pay for the project. 
 
Ohio airport in line for $100,000 in federal grant funds for safety projects
Ohio's Gallia-Meigs Regional Airport Authority and the Gallia County Commissioners have been awarded a grant of more than $100,000 to help fund safety improvements at the airport. The money will be used to improve runway safety and overhaul and enhance fuel storage facilities. The total cost of the project is expected to be between $350,000 and $450,000. County officials are applying for a grant through the Federal Aviation Administration which requires a 5 percent local match. The Department of Transportation grant helps reduce the amount of the local match. The project will include removal of the existing underground fuel storage tank and the above ground fueling system. They would be replaced by a new above-ground system.
 
Utah city plans to sell electric revenue bonds of $16.5 million
Tom HardyThe city of Bountiful (Utah), has adopted a resolution authorizing the sale of up to $16.5 million in electric revenue bonds to help purchase two new natural gas turbines. The turbines are expected to be operational by spring 2012. City Manager Tom Hardy (pictured) said the goal is to have enough power capacity during peak load periods so that the city doesn't have to go onto the open market. That usually results in having to pay many times the regular price for power.
 
 
Village officials to use grant to purchase security cameras
The police department in Lemont village (Illinois) will use a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to buy two security cameras to place at a recreation area. The DHS program awards money to local law enforcement agencies to help identify and prevent vulnerabilities at high-risk infrastructure sites. The cameras cost approximately $64,000. The recreation area qualifies because it is located near a number of chemical plants and other industries. One of the cameras will be solar-powered. Both will transmit video to the police station for monitoring.
 
Suffolk, Virginia, officials studying costs for building new city hall
Patrick RobertsOfficials in Suffolk, Virginia, are exploring the costs of building a new city hall. Deputy City Manager Patrick Roberts (pictured) explained the need for a new facility, given the age of the current city hall, its structural and mechanical problems. An architectural firm has estimated that a new city hall would cost approximately $37.5 million, $25.4 million of which would be for construction of the building and $11.2 million of which would be for a new E-911 radio system. A new city hall, according to the architect, would allow additional city departments to move in the building. Preliminary plans call for a two-story municipal center. The first floor would house numerous local offices and the second floor would include the city manager's offices and others. It would also be the site for the new E-911 center.
 
North Carolina county to issue bonds for public safety complex
Moore County (North Carolina) has won approval from the Local Government Commission to issue up to $50 million in limited obligation bonds to help defray the costs of a detention center-public safety complex. The new facility is expected to have 147,000 square feet, with 97,000 square feet of that for the jail and Sheriff's Office quarters. The jail will hold 192 inmates. The rest of the space will be for emergency medical services, emergency management and the 9-1-1 emergency communications system.
 
Miami approves design for new science museum in downtown area
Marc SarnoffThe design of a proposed Miami Science Museum, a $275 million, five-level museum, has been approved by city officials. Miami Commission Chair Marc Sarnoff (pictured) said the new museum would make Bicentennial Park "Miami's Central Park." The museum would include an aquarium, a planetarium, science exhibits focusing on technology and the environment and wildlife exhibits and educational facilities. The building would be energy efficient and sit on four acres of park land. Environmental remediation is already under way at the site and some old structures are being removed. Construction should start next year, with a hoped-for completion date of 2014. The project will be paid for in part by $175 million in voter-approved bonds with the remainder to come from private donations.
 
Georgia city approves bond resolution to help finance new hospital
A new replacement facility for Piedmont Hospital in Newnan, Georgia, will be helped along financially by a $100 million bond resolution recently approved by the Coweta County Development Authority. The facility will be 362,376 square feet and will include 136 beds and 23 emergency department and exam-treatment rooms. It will include emergency, in-patient, medical-surgical, outpatient, imaging, diagnostics, women's services and ambulatory surgery center. The bonds will allow the hospital to borrow money at a more competitive interest rate. The hospital is scheduled for completion in early 2012.
  
Tacoma planning to build LINK light rail station
Eric AndersonPlans are continuing to build a LINK light rail station in Tacoma, Washington. City Manager Eric Anderson (pictured) has been instructed to work with Sound Transit to finalize a proposal and seek approval from the Sound Transit Board to go forward with finding funds for the project when the design is approved. The $350,000 project includes 40-foot-long, seven-feet-wide platforms, security cameras and passenger shelter areas. The design plan is already 60 percent complete. The costs will be funded through Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds. If the city and the transit group agree on the plan, the design is expected to be completed in October and bids will be sought in November. Construction is expected to begin in January of next year and be completed by April of next year.
 
For information about these and other funding opportunities,
contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.
 
Results oriented procurement
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 Dr. Seth Foldy.
 
Seth FoldySeth Foldy, M.D., served as medical director and commissioner of the Milwaukee Health Department from 1996 to 2004. He later served as Medical Director of Health Care for the Homeless of Milwaukee and co-founded the Wisconsin Health Information Exchange. He also practiced and taught urban community-oriented family practice for 15 years in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Cleveland, Ohio. In January 2009, Foldy was chosen as State Health Officer and Administrator of the Division of Public Health for the State of Wisconsin. He will leave that position on Oct. 1 to move to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, where he will lead the CDC's Public Health Informatics and Technology Program Office.
 
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People
 
Ralph GodbeeRoyce EngstromRobert BerdahlDetroit Mayor Dave Bing has named lifelong Detroit resident Ralph Godbee Jr. (top left) as chief of police for the city, after Godbee rose through the ranks of the department since joining the force at the age of 19. Royce C. Engstrom (top middle), provost at the University of Montana, has been approved by the state Board of Regents to serve as the university's next president, replacing George M. Dennison, who is retiring after two decades at the university. Robert M. Berdahl (top right), former chancellor of the University of California at Berkley and former president of The University of Texas at Austin, will retire next May from his position as president of the Association of American Universities. Lloyd Bertram, assistant fire chief of the Franklin Fire Department in Wisconsin, has been named chief of the New Berlin, Wisconsin, Fire Department, replacing former Chief Edward L. Dobernig, who retired in August. The Tecumseh, Michigan, City Council has chosen James CanniffMitch KatzJim GaertnerTroy Stern, shift commander and sergeant with the Tecumseh Police Department, as the new chief of police, taking over from interim Chief Scott Smith, who has been running the department since the retirement of former Chief Mack Haun. Former Sam Houston State President Dr. Jim Gaertner (upper middle left) has been named Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Texas State University System. Dr. Mitch Katz (upper middle center), director of health for the city and county of San Francisco, will apparently be the next head of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, a $3.4 billion per year operation that runs four hospitals and works with more than 100 community clinics. Dr. James Canniff (upper middle right), former vice president for Academic and Student Affairs at Suffolk County Community College in New York, has been chosen as the next vice president of Academic Affairs and Student Services at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Ken NordhoffDavid BiggsElizabeth GarzaMassachusetts. Tualatin Valley, Oregon, Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Mike Duyck was recently promoted to fire chief, replacing former Chief Jeff Johnson, who recently retired. First a patrolman and then a lieutenant, now Joseph Giberson - a former Officer of the Year - owns the title of chief of police of the Stafford, New Jersey, Police Department. The City of Walnut Creek, California, has chosen San Rafael City Manager Ken Nordhoff (lower middle left) as its new city manager, replacing City Manager Gary Pokomy, who is retiring. Redondo Beach, Florida, Assistant City Manager David C. Biggs (lower middle center) will take over as city manager of the City of Tustin, Florida, on Oct. 18, replacing William Huston, who is retiring. Elizabeth Garza (lower middle right), superintendent of the Edgewood School District in San Antonio since April 2008, has resigned, effective June 30. The City of Ottawa, Illinois, has named Jeff Newbury, a 26-year veteran firefighter as the new fire chief, effective Oct. 13. Niagara County, New York, has named Jeffrey Glatz, a North Bob HarrisonVince SmithTammy BeckhamTonawanda resident who specialized in health care administration, as its next county manager. Dr. Tammy R. Beckham (bottom left), formerly with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Agriculture at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center before becoming director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, has been selected to serve as director of the National Center for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Defense (FAZD) at Texas A&M University. Robert "Vince" Smith (bottom middle), chief investment officer for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System has been named deputy state investment officer for the New Mexico State Investment Council, replacing Adam Levine, who left in April to join Texas Trust. Robert "Bob" Harrison (bottom right), city manager in Wyoming, Ohio, for the past 12 years, has been selected to become the next city administrator for the City of Issaquah, Washington, and will start his new job on Oct. 11. Jacqueline Brooks, who has served as interim superintendent of the Macon County, Alabama, schools, has been named superintendent, replacing former Superintendent Dr. Gwendolyn Moore. Aaron "Ron" Goodale, former assistant fire chief in West Barnstable, has been named new fire chief in the City of Upton, Massachusetts, replacing former Chief Michael Bradford.
 
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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
 
TxDOT announces three Small Business Briefing conferences
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Business Outreach and Program (BOP) Services has announced three upcoming FY 2011 Small Business Briefing conferences. A  Nov. 10 conference is set this year in Beaumont, an April 20, 2011, conference is slated in Fort Worth and a July 20, 2011, conference is planned for San Antonio. The conference goal is to provide small and minority-owned business communities an opportunity to learn more about contracting opportunities with TxDOT.  Information will be available to help them do business with the agency and the State of Texas.  The sessions not only allow small businesses to be introduced to TxDOT and other state agencies, but also allow them to learn more about the economic development opportunities in their regions.  It also gives agencies a chance to show the myriad of prospects available for small and minority businesses in the state. For more information and to register, click here or call 512.866.480.2519, Option 2.
 
TxDOT Business Outreach & Program Services hosts webinars 
In fiscal year 2010, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Business Outreach & Program (BOP) Services implemented a series of webinars offering technical business development opportunities to small, minority and women business- in the field of construction and professional services in the state of Texas.  The webinar series topics ranged from how to become a pre-qualified bidder on TxDOT contracts, TxDOT Plans Online, How to Market Your Business To Prime Contractors, Construction Industry Bonding and much more.  Each session's goal was to provide valuable information to contractors, suppliers, and small businesses on how TxDOT to do business with TxDOT, how to increase business capacity and improve opportunities to bid and obtain contracts with TxDOT. The final 2010 webinars concluded in August, but the 2011 fiscal year webinar series planning is under way and will be announced later in the 2010 calendar year.  Each free Webinar is limited and registration slots are on a first-come-first-serve basis.  More information on each webinar can be found here. Questions should be forwarded to TxDOT-BOP-Webinars@dot.state.tx.us or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2 for more information.
 
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