State & Local Government Pipeline

Volume 2, Issue 30

November 17, 2010

Communication - a critical component of success in government contracting!

Government contractors look for a number of important traits when hiring sales reps. There are many important sales attributes, but individuals who communicate well win many more government contracts. Talk to any public official and you will hear more than you ever thought possible about sales reps who do an extremely poor job when communicating.

To be clear, public-sector decision-makers believe that good communication skills include more than just a smooth delivery of a sales message.

Skills should also include the following:

The ability to listen well;
The sensitivity to respect time constraints on meeting;
The good sense to get to the point quickly;

[more]

IN THIS ISSUE

Funds to bring more Internet access

We're taking a week off

Pennsvylania invests in water, wastewater projects

Upcoming education opportunities

Other upcoming opportunities

Where are they now?

Opportunity of the week

People

Calendar of events

Don't miss another issue

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Strategic Partnerships, Inc. provides opportunity identification for all 50 states. Click here for more information.

Funding will help bring Internet access to rural areas

$247.9M for facilities, equipment, expansion, maintenace of networks in 11 states

Broadband Support High-speed Internet access in rural areas of the country got a nearly $247.9 million boost when funding for telecommunications projects was announced recently by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The funds will be used to improve broadband service to both rural residences and rural businesses. Eleven states will share the funding, which is part of the USDA Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program. The funds will be used for facilities and equipment for upgrades, expansion, maintenance and replacement of rural networks.

The funding will provide 16,000 miles of fiber to the home, which will increase Internet service to rural areas. Kansas' South Central Telephone Association will use a $10.2 million loan to add 192 new route miles of fiber and copper cable to improve service and meet current and future telecommunications requirements. In South Dakota, a $37.9 million loan will go to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority owned by Native Americans to complete a fiber-to-the-premises build out to bring broadband service to that area.

These funds will be used along with the $3.5 billion in broadband funding awarded by the USDA Rural Utilities Service for broadband funding from the federal Recovery Act.

To view a complete list of recipients in the 11 states and the amount received, click here and look under "Recent Reports."

State & Local Government Pipeline taking holiday off

The State & Local Government Pipeline will not publish next Wednesday, Nov. 24, in observance of the Thanksgiving holidays. We will resume our regular Wednesday publication dates on Wednesday, Dec.1. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Pennsylvania entites share water, wastewater funding

Investment of $174M in grants, loans made for more than two-dozen projects

Edward Rendell More than two-dozen water and wastewater projects in 21 counties in Pennsylvania are being funded by a $174 million investment through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell (pictured) said this $174 million investment brings to $3.1 billion the amount PENNVEST has invested in more than 800 clean water projects since he has been governor. He said the projects are intended not only to improve the state's environment, but also to create "the opportunities for a more dynamic economic future for our businesses, workers and residents."

The funding includes $154 million in low-interest loans and $20 million in grants. The grants range from hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions.

Examples of the drinking water projects include:

Allentown City in Lehigh County received an $8.6 million loan to replace its water meters with new units that use mobile read technology and a $670,000 loan to repair leaks in a transmission main.
Indiana County Municipal Services Authority received a $6.1 million loan and a $1.9 million grant to build more than 20 miles of water distribution lines and a new water storage tank.

Examples of the wastewater projects include:

Williamsport Sanitary Authority in Lycoming County received a $30 million loan to build new facilities at its wastewater treatment plant to eliminate wet water discharge of excessive nutrients into a nearby river and the Chesapeake Bay.
Pocono Township got an $8.3 million loan to build six miles of interceptor sewers and three pump stations to provide service to local residences and commercial and industrial facilities.

To view a complete list of entities receiving funding, the amount received and an explanation of the projects funded, click here and look under "Recent Reports."

Upcoming education opportunities

Virginia school district looking for funding for construction projects
Loudon County (Virginia) School District Superintendent Edgar Hatrick (pictured) has requested an additional $183 million in construction spending for the district for next year. Hatrick said the need for new facilities is a direct result of the district's growth. Hatrick is seeking funding next year for a new $24 million elementary school, design funds for three additional elementary and two more middle schools, renovations to one elementary school and construction funding for a new high school. Continued growth in the Dulles North and Dulles South areas will likely mean a need for four more elementary schools and one high school.

New stadium in the works next year for Pennsylvania school
A new stadium is in the works for the Norristown (Pennsylvania) High School. Both the Board of Commissioners and the Norristown Area school board approved plans to build a multi-purpose athletic field and running track. The stadium construction could begin in April of next year.

North Dakota district seeks to sell $5M in bonds for construction
The West Fargo (North Dakota) School District has approved the sale of $5 million in school construction bonds for a variety of projects. Among the proposals are a $2.18 million addition to a kindergarten center, a $360,000 land purchase for an elementary school site, a $1.07 million high school receiving and food service addition, a $373,000 high school generator addition, $816,000 for an education center administrative office addition and $500,000 for other district-wide building and site improvements. Five million dollars in supplemental state funds will be used for other projects, including $105,000 for bus barn parking, $546,000 for bus barn office, driver lounge and service bay renovation, $172,000 to remodel a building for freezer and cooler from the central kitchen, $1 million for a kindergarten center gym, $770,000 for high school floor and wall covering renovations, $1.9 million for high school fitness center additions and improvements, $456,000 for middle school site improvements for physical education and athletics and $69,000 for the decommissioning of an elementary track.

Virginia school district to begin new high school construction next summer
A construction contractor for the new Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, will likely be hired next spring, with construction expected to begin by July, according to Superintendent Patrick Murphy (pictured). The $100 million project was recently approved by voters. The three-story structure will replace a 55-year-old existing structure. Officials are hopeful for occupancy of the new building by spring 2014. Voters earlier this month approved a $103 million school bond issue that included $80 million for the Wakefield project.

California district approves $62 million bond issuance for improvements

Issuance of up to $62 million in general obligation bonds was recently approved for the Duarte (California) Unified School District. The funds will be used to make repairs at eight campuses and will include roofing projects, plumbing, restroom repairs, air conditioning and more. Technology upgrades also will be part of the expense, and student pick-up and drop-off zones will be installed to increase student safety. The high school is slated to get a new biotech lab, an intermediate school would get a new indoor cafeteria and an elementary school would get a new library and media center.

Carlsbad Municipal School District to seek approval for $7 million bond
The Carlsbad Board of Education is looking at a $7 million continuation bond to take to voters to fund improvements district-wide. The funds would address the first phase of a five-year master plan for facilities. This $7 million would be used to make additions to schools, renovate restrooms, provide for cafeteria improvements, communications upgrades and improve school grounds. New schools and upgrades to other existing schools would be part of future phases. Other future projects would include science classroom additions at two middle schools and construction of a multi-purpose room and kitchen at the Early Childhood Education Center.

Ruidosa Municipal School District sets February bond issue
A $14 million general obligation bond issue will be on the February ballot for the Ruidosa Municipal School District. The board last month adopted a $14 million Facilities Master Plan for 2010-2015, with drainage issues at Ruidosa High School the top priority at $1.5 million. The district estimates its technology needs at $1.2 million, while completion of the middle school bears a $3 million price tag. Other needed improvements, according to school officials, are a $1 million primary school roof replacement, a $3 million renovation of the high school science wing, playground upgrades, other roof replacements, some building demolitions and deferred maintenance projects.

For information about these and other funding opportunities,
contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.

Other upcoming contracting opportunities

Navajo Nation to build first casino on acquired land in Arizona
More than 400 acres of newly acquired trust land will become the site for the Navajo Nation's first casino in Arizona, east of Flagstaff. The land was purchased for $7.4 million earlier this year by the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise and gifted to the tribal government, according to Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Larry EchoHawk (pictured). A $120 million Twin Arrows Casino is expected to open next spring. It will also include a hotel, conference center, spa and golf course. Tribal officials say the casino will boost the economy of the surrounding communities and could lead to other developments, such as housing for casino employees and emergency services.

Village in Illinois to use county loan to complete water project
Officials in the village of Maple Park, Illinois, will use $100,000 in federal stimulus bill funds in the form of a $100,000 loan from Kane County to help pay for upgrades to part of the village water delivery system. The low-interest loan will help pay to repair and replace approximately 1,300 feet of older water mains. The project is estimated to cost about $303,000. Another $100,000 of the costs will be paid for by a Community Development Block Grant. The remaining $103,000 will be paid for with budgeted funds. The current water main is too small and does not provide enough water pressure to serve existing residences and any new residences that might be added. The existing water main could be replaced as soon as spring 2011.

New Hampshire improvement plan includes energy, construction, road projects
In Dover, New Hampshire, officials are studying a list of projects in their capital improvement plan. Among the projects scheduled for 2012 are $5.4 million in energy efficiency improvements for an elementary school, $4 million for a bridge replacement, $2.5 million for road reconstruction and $1 million for new roads, sidewalks and drainage systems for the Applevale neighborhood. Officials will meet at a later date to authorize projects and how to pay for them. Further down the road, projects include a $60 million renovation or relocation of the high school, and a new $13 million police station. City Manager Mike Joyal (pictured) said the city will continue to try to pay for projects with existing money, but will also seek debt financing and grant funds.

Capital improvements plan in Minnesota city has $100M in projects
The newly approved capital improvements plan for the city of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, includes $100 million in spending and numerous contracting opportunities for a variety of projects over the next five years. The plan includes $92 million in planned capital improvement projects. For next year, the plan includes a $634,000 street sealcoat project, $70,000 in park play equipment for two parks; a $60,000 bridge refurbishment and $8.7 million toward the first phase of construction of a new city hall and public safety facility.

DC's Metro recommends capital improvement program
The FY 2012-2017 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Washington D.C.'s Metro puts a premium on safety and repair projects. An additional $330 million is being requested to replace some of the oldest rail cars. Richard Sarles (pictured), interim general manager for Metro, said safety improvement projects will be "a priority as we also work to make necessary infrastructure upgrades that are vital to maintaining the levels of service that Metro currently provides." Over the next six years, the CIP recommends replacing 1,000 series rail cars, replacing all No. 8 mainline switches, replacing all audio frequency track circuit modules, removing unnecessary wayside maintenance communications systems, conducting a comprehensive safety analysis of the Automatic Train Control system, adding onboard event records to some rail cars, replacing power cables and more. The CIP also recommends expansion projects that address the state of good repair within the system. It calls for rehabilitating escalators and elevators, upgrading power systems to accommodate more eight-train cars, replacing buses and MetroAccess vehicles, upgrading rail and bus maintenance equipment, upgrading software and equipment, rehabilitating and replacing some old bus garages and more.

Washington seeks site for new prison facility
Although construction funding has not yet been approved by the State Legislature, the Washington Department of Corrections is looking for a site in the western part of the state for a new 1,000-inmate prison. The legislature did approve funding for finding a building location. The proposed prison would be a first stop for men entering the prison system, where they will be assessed for level of security and other needs as well as physical and mental health needs. The department is hoping for money to have the facility built by 2016.

For information about these and other funding opportunities,
contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.

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 Joel I. Klein.

Joel Klein Joel I. Klein earned his bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 1967 and his law degree from Harvard Law School 1971. He took a leave of absence from law school to attend New York University's School of Education and began a career rooted in education when he taught in a public school in Queens. He served as a law clerk to a chief judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 1973 to 1974 and to a justice on the United States Supreme Court from 1974-1975. He worked at a public interest law firm from 1975 to 1976 and from 1976-1981 was an associate and partner in a private law firm. In 1981, he and two colleagues started their own law firm. After 20 years of public and private legal work in Washington, D.C., Klein joined the Clinton administration. From 1997 to 2001, he was assistant attorney general in charge of the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust division. He also served as Acting Assistant Attorney General and as the antitrust division's principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General. His appointment to the U.S. Justice Department came after he served from 1993 to 1995 as deputy counsel to President Bill Clinton. Klein entered the private sector in 2000 as chairman and CEO of one of the world's largest media companies. In 2002, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed Klein as the first chancellor of his Department of Education, overseeing 1,600 schools with 1.1 million students and a $21 billion operating budget. Klein recently announced he will leave his post as chancellor to join another private sector global media company.

Opportunity of the week...

An $8.5 million renovation of two existing university residence halls is currently out for bid. The project includes asbestos abatement, selective demolition and remodeling of two four-story plus basement residence halls. The project also includes entrance and elevator additions, a shower room addition, new plumbing, HVAC and fire protection systems. Electrical work is included, as are roof and window replacements, security enhancements and more. Want to know more? Contact Reagan Weil at 512-531-3900 or rweil@spartnerships.com.

People

Dave Goetz (top left), finance commissioner for the State of Tennessee since 2003, is leaving that position for the private sector, where he will work for a Minnesota-based health care information technology firm with offices in Tennessee. Mark Smith (top middle), former chair of the department of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Arizona, has been named dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Houston, succeeding John L. Bear (top right), who announced he will step down after 18 years in that position. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has named two persons to fill key administrative posts - Jeff Spalding, Indiana Department of Transportation director of multimodal planning and policy will be city controller and Marc Lotter, communications director for the Indiana Departments of Labor and Workforce Development, will be communications director. Minnesota Management and Budget Office Director Tom Hanson (upper middle left) is leaving his job as finance chief that he has held since 2006 to join a Minneapolis Cathleen Black law firm, where he will specialize in legislative and regulatory affairs. Outgoing New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick (upper middle center) has been named dean of the University of New Hampshire School of Law and will join the staff of the former Franklin Pierce Law Center on Jan. 1, 2011. Cathleen Black (upper middle right), chair of Hearst Magazines, has been named by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg as chancellor of the New York City schools. Robert Vane, former communications director for the city of Indianapolis, has resigned his position to open his own business - a strategic communications and consulting firm. Former Indianapolis City Controller David Reynolds resigned his post with the city to become senior fiscal analyst for Indiana Senate Republicans. New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Miley Gonzalez (lower middle left), who has held the post the last eight years after serving as head of the New Mexico State University Agriculture and Extension Education, has announced he will resign at the end of the year. Marcus Jones (lower middle center), budget and finance director for the cit of Richmond, Virginia, and former assistant city manager for the city of Norfolk, Virginia, will become Norfolk's new city manager, replacing Regina Williams (lower middle right), who will retire at the end of the year. Major Lynnwood Lane Martin of the Orange (Texas) Police Department and a 22-year veteran of the department, has been named successor to Orange Police Chief Sam Kittrell. Richard May, former congressional budget official and now manager of government relations at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, has been chosen by New Mexico Governor-elect Susana Martinez to serve as secretary of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration. Stacey Franklin Jones (bottom left) who left her position as senior vice president of Benedict College last July to become provost at Bowie State University has resigned her Bowie State post. Shirley Lawler (bottom middle), who has served as associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Ozarks Technical Community Stacey Franklin Jones College in Missouri since 2006 and has held a number of other positions there since joining the college in 1997, has been named vice president for Academic Affairs. John Pietig (bottom right), who has served as assistant city manager in Laguna Beach, California, for the last nine years, was recently named to replace City Manager Ken Frank in December, when Frank retires after serving the city for more than three decades. After a 23-year career with the city, Reidsville, North Carolina, City Manager Kelly Almond has announced he will retire in February of next year. Chuck Jordan, who spent 32 years with the Tulsa Police Department before retiring in 2001 and taking a job as captain in the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, has been named chief of police after having served as interim chief in January. California Chief Information Officer Teri Takai will become CIO of the U.S. Department of Defense.