Money previously earmarked for commuter rail now handed over to transportation

Jim Simpson

Approximately $1.25 billion in funds that was headed to the New Jersey-New York commuter rail tunnel coffers instead is on its way to local road and bridge projects for the next five years. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority voted to redirect the funds after the commuter rail tunnel project was canceled.

The $1.25 billion in funds was earmarked by the previous administration in New Jersey for the tunnel that was to run from Sesaucus to W. 34th Street in Manhattan. When possible cost overruns of billions of dollars were discovered, the project was scrapped and the funds channeled to the Transportation Trust Fund to maintain roads and bridges.

Much of that funding, according to State Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson, comes from tolls paid by out-of-state residents. "We think it's a well-balanced, well-thought-out plan, and nobody has come up with a better plan - nobody," he said.

He said half of the state's more than 5,000 bridges are functionally obsolete or deficient and half the state's roadway are "poor."

There will be numerous contracting opportunities as a result of the toll road receipts being used in part for transportation projects.

$44.8 million set aside to purchase 300 machines to deploy across country

John Pistole

Airports throughout the country should know soon if their facility is in line to receive new Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced that $44.8 million has been set aside to purchase 300 of the machines for deployment to airports nationwide. TSA is currently working up a deployment schedule and once it is completed, will make airport announcements regarding where they machines will be placed.

These machines will help strengthen security at airports across the country. They will be deployed with new automated target recognition software that is designed to enhance passenger privacy by eliminating passenger-specific images and improving the capabilities of the technology to streamline the checkpoint screening process.

TAS Administrator John S. Pistole said advanced imaging technology provides one of the best layers of security in addressing possible threats. "We remain committed to deploying this integral counterterrorism tool in order to ensure the highest level of security for the traveling public," he said.

The machines are designed to safely screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats that include weapons, explosives and other objects concealed under layers of clothing. There are currently 500 AID units at 78 airports in the United States. 

Will also underwrite programs to help prepare college students for technical careers

Sixteen projects in 24 states and the District of Columbia have been cited as supporting activities to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. Seven more projects in seven states are geared toward preparing college students for careers related to designing and building advanced vehicle technologies.

"By developing the next generation of automotive engineers and preparing communities for plug-in electric vehicles, these projects will help reduce our nation's dependence on oil imports, create jobs and help America capture the growing global market for advanced vehicles," said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

The projects pushing for the advancement of plug-in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure will benefit from $8.5 million to the Department of Energy's Clean Cities initiative. These funds help local public-private partnerships that will develop electric vehicles. The funds will go to established communities with electric vehicle planning experience as well as to many that have not had the resources to do so. The projects are set up for a one-year period to help communities address their needs, from processing to revising codes to training city personnel and creating public awareness.

The largest award of $1 million went to the South Coast Air Quality Management District to create a unified statewide approach to planning and implementation of plug-in electric vehicle charging infrastructure activities to help expand the market for plug-in electric vehicles in California. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority received $994,500 to develop a plan and accompanying guidance documents to accelerate the introduction of a network of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. To view the complete list of recipients, click here and look under "Recent Reports."

Oklahoma school bond issues include technology upgrades, construction, rehab

David Goin

A $35.54 million bond issue will go before voters in Edmond, Oklahoma, in November. The bonds would be used to build a new elementary school in west Edmond, renovate Boulevard Academy, purchase new school buses and update technology in the schools. Superintendent David Goin said the bond issue will be in two propositions. The first is for $34.64 million and includes construction of a new school. The school is to be approximately 75,000 square feet with at least 25 classrooms and a gym. The construction of the school would take about two years. The first proposition would also include construction and equipment for six additional classrooms at three elementary schools at a cost of $7.05 million. The second proposition for $900,000 would purchase new school buses and maintenance vehicles for the district. It also includes $2.95 million for district-wide technology improvements that include new computers, software, wireless networking equipment, phone systems and copiers. A roofing replacement at a middle and high school would account for $960,000 of the second proposition and school security upgrades at several schools would include video surveillance installation for $200,000. The proposition also includes new school equipment for sports, fine arts, kitchens, library books, instructional materials and textbooks for $1.6 million. It also includes a new heating and air conditioning system at an elementary school for $600,000, new carpet valued at $280,000 for an elementary school, $2 million for remodeling and equipping six classrooms at an elementary school and $3 million for remodeling at Boulevard Academy.

Alaska school consortium seeks to expand its distance education program in state

A consortium of schools in Alaska is looking for a way to improve its distance education programs in the state. Called the Alaska Learning Network, the consortium offers online classes, but is looking for new sources of revenue to expand and maintain the program. Internet connectivity in remote areas of the state is also a hurdle. The program is particularly of interest for students who live in areas where sometimes there are no classroom teachers. The network currently offers 19 Web-based courses including classes students need to qualify for Alaska Performance Scholarships. Almost 150 students in 20 schools are currently enrolled in the program. The program also is aimed at filling the need for highly qualified teachers and quality courses currently unavailable in some rural areas. Federal Recovery Act funding helped set up the network.

 

Nebraska school board adds $3.2 million to bond package for turf fields

More than $3 million has been added to the Millard (Nebraska) school bond issue set for Nov. 15. The school board approved adding $3.2 million for adding artificial turf practice fields for Millard North and Millard West High Schools. That addition brings the total bond package to $140.8 million. The bond issues previously were dedicated only to school repairs, classroom additions, technology and security upgrades. Although controversial, the new fields, some board members said, will provide a safe, weatherproof practice field for student athletes, band members and physical education classes. 

 

Construction to continue with bioengineering facility at Michigan State

Kim Wilcox

Michigan State University's Board of Trustees recently approved a new $40 million bioengineering facility to be built on the south side of the campus. The project will be paid for with an unexpected $30 million capital outlay approved by the state last year and the remaining $10 million will be paid for by the university. MSU Provost Kim Wilcox said the new building will allow the university to bring together the colleges of natural science, engineering and medicine into a single location "to work on basic biological and bioengineering issues." MSU must have its plans for the facility to the state by Nov. 1. No construction start date has been set yet and the project will require final approval from the board before construction can begin. Officials are hopeful the new facility will lead to increased federal research funding and transfer of technology to the private sector.

 

Wyoming school district calls bond issue for Sept. 30

A bond issue not to exceed $1.99 million will be held Sept. 30 in the Uinta County (Wyoming) school district. The project would include additional classrooms to maintain the district's commitment to low student-teacher ratios, increased square footage of classrooms and increased instructional space for fine arts, physical education and vocational education.

  

University of Central Florida to own, operate its own power plant

David Norvell

The University of Central Florida is set to become the first Florida university to own and operate its own power plant with control over its greenhouse gas emissions. David Norvell, director of sustainability and energy management, first floated the idea to comply with recommendations of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment. It calls for efforts to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from campus operations. Saying the idea was note solely UCF's, Norvell said UCF's will be the first owned and operated by the university instead of an outside utility company. He said the power produced will be about one-third cleaner than energy from a utility provides. Additionally, the university is expected to shave off about $2.5 million of its annual $14 million electric bill. It will also produce enough electricity to help run the university's air conditioning system. Cost of the startup power plant is $12 million, including equipment and business expenses. The amount of money the university is expected to save will mean UCG will generate the $12 million cost in a little less than six years.

 

Indiana authorities studying using public-private partnership for bridge

Steve Schultz

Officials in Southern Indiana are exploring their options for the best delivery model for constructing the Ohio River Bridges Project. Louisville and Southern Indiana Bridges Authority members will meet Oct. 6 and likely decide if a public-private partnership will be the method for construction or a traditional design-build concept. "We're trying to understand which one has the best value," said Bridges Authority Executive Director Steve Schultz. He said the preferred method will be recommended to the authority. Whichever method is chosen, tolls will be part of the funding method, said Schultz. Authority members already have been apprised of the different methods of delivery and now just have to make their choice. How much that toll will be is up to the approval of the Federal Highway Administration. As the Authority comes closer to deciding which delivery method it will use, it is likely to put out a request for information to construction companies. A request for qualifications would follow, probably in early 2012. After that, a request for proposals would be issued once a financing plan is completed. Schultz said that means the procurement process would need to start in early 2012, with a groundbreaking expected in August 2012.

Kansas to invest $4.9 million in support of biomass energy project

Sam Brownback

The State of Kansas will infuse $4.9 million in federal Recovery Act funds to support a biomass energy project. The funds will be used by the Kansas Alliance for Biorefining and Bionergy to buy advanced harvesting and transportation equipment that will be used to deliver biomass feedstock to the plant. Another $15.6 million will be spent for methane digester equipment technology at an ethanol plant near Oakley. The current power generator at the plant will be converted to use methane from cattle manure instead of natural gas. The plant operator Western Plains Energy will partner with Pioneer Feeders, also near Oakley, for the manure. "Our administration is very focused on ensuring that Kansas is a national leader in renewable energy, and these worthy projects represent areas that can advance the industry (and) provide for a cleaner environment," said Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback. With unspent stimulus funds going back to the federal government, Kansas was eager to be sure the funds are spent in Kansas.

Ohio counties to benefit from $3 million for infrastructure projects

The Ohio Department of Development is investing $3 million in 10 communities in the state to help defray the costs of infrastructure improvements. Pike and Jackson counties are among those receiving the aid. Pike County will get $300,000 to make improvement in the Mifflin-Benton Township Investment Area for installing 10 culverts, playground equipment, and for purchase of a fire truck and 10 sets of fire gear. It will also use the funds to install a parking lot and upgrade the inside of the local community center. Some of the funding is expected to leverage an additional $382,000 in funds to be used to repair six housing units and rehab four more through the Community Housing Improvement Program. Jackson County will receive a like amount of funding and will install 69 hydrants in Coalton, replace 530 linear feet of culverts and 1,345 linear feet of storm sewer pipe. Some 280 water meters, 88 water valves, 43,000 linear feet of water pipe and 265 tap-ins will also be installed.

Connecticut seeks multiple agencies for marketing services for agencies

Randy Fiveash

The State of Connecticut will hire up to six agencies to provide marketing services for its Department of Economic and Community Development and Office of Tourism. The contract will include brand development, online marketing, strategic marketing planning, campaign execution and national and in-state public relations for the tourism office. The length of the contract will be from December of this year to the end of 2013 and will have an annual budget of $11 million. Proposals are due Sept. 27. Randy Fiveash, the state's director of tourism, said the state could hire on agency for each of the six areas or hire one firm for all of the six areas. Fiveash said the project is part of a statewide branding initiative to recruit businesses and talent. He said both the governor and the legislature understand that "it's about jobs and economic development," he said. "This is money that is spent to increase that sector."

Wisconsin transportation bodies discuss analysis for possible new facility

Officials in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, held a joint meeting recently to discuss the potential for new highway department facilities. The county's infrastructure and highway committees met to discuss how to identify the best location for a new or refurbished facility or whether a new project should be undertaken at all. Numerous options were available - build a new facility, don't build at all, wait until the economy makes an upward swing or build now while material costs are down. The two groups agreed and decided to issue a Request for Proposals for qualifying architectural/engineering consulting services for a highway facility study and site analysis. The current facility was built in 1938. The RFPs likely will lead to completion of additional planning and analysis at possible sites in the city and will include conceptual design drawings at each site, as well as preliminary cost estimates. Officials will rank the proposals and bring in the top three firms for presentations.

New Jersey city seeks bids for planning construction of 'splash pad'

Albert Kelly

The City of Bridgeton, New Jersey, is soliciting bids for the planning and construction of a "splash pad," a children-oriented water attraction that does not allow water to pool, but instead has nozzles and sprayers, misters and water shoots. Mayor Albert Kelly said the splash pad, which will be installed in the city park near the shallow wading pool, provides children with a variety of water entertainment options. This type of facility is attractive to government entities because there is a very low risk of drowning, but is a fun alternative to a pool and provides recreational opportunities while enhancing economic development in the city. No size is stated in the RFP, but those interested in responding will need to inspect the location to make their own determination of size. Officials favor a recirculating water system. A fee would be charged to recoup operation, water and other costs. Kelly said the charge will allow the splash pad to pay for itself, allowing the city to add onto it each year.

Want to know who your competition is? Who was awarded the contract on a particular project? Below are listed some recent winners of major government contracts: 

• Verint(R) Systems Inc. has announced that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey awarded Verint Video Intelligence Solutions(TM) with a security contract in July 2011 for which it will supply IP video solutions to the World Trade Center (WTC) Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) Transportation Hub;
• Odebrecht Construction Inc. has been awarded a $57.1 million contract from the Port of Miami's wharfs to upgrade the cargo warfts, including steel and concrete reinforcement to piers;
• Computer Sciences Corp. said it received a 10-year contract worth more than $900 million from a U.S.-based global multi-brand commercial products manufacturer for information technology and infrastructure managed services but did not reveal the name of the client;
• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated  announced today that its subsidiary, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., in Huntsville, Ala., was awarded by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) its Objective Simulation Framework (OSF), an IDIQ contract with a potential value of $595 million over five years beginning Sept. 1, 2011;
• Miller-Stauch Construction of Kansas City, Kansas, was awarded the bid for a 10,000-square-foot station rescue and firefighting station to be paid for with $1.9 million in Federal Aviation Administration grant funds and $500,000 from the Salina Airport Authority;
• Payton Construction Inc. of Wimberley (Texas) had the low bid of $1.385 million to rehabilitate the water filtering equipment at the George P. Morrill Water Treatment Plant at Swinney Switch in Beeville;
• George Sollitt Construction Co. of Wood Dale was awarded the $21.138 million contract for the first of three phases of the Illinois Valley Community College's Community Instructional Center project, primarily be used to house technology programs; and
• BAE Systems Information Solutions Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., Computer Sciences Corp., Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc, Science Applications International Corp. and Scientific Research Corp., have each received $40,055,252 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, performance-based contracts to provide tactical, strategic and operations support services with an emphasis on information assurance to the Navy and other unnamed Department of Defense and federal agencies.

Beth Hansen (top left), a political campaign strategist who ran Gov. John Kasich's successful gubernatorial campaign last year and is now his chief of staff, will take a leave of absence to join the Building a Better Ohio nonprofit organization, overseeing the TV side of the campaign. Sally Bradshaw (top center), a Republican political consultant and former chief of staff and campaign manager to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, has been appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to the Florida State Board of Education. Jasper Welch (top right), director of the San Juan (New Mexico) College Enterprise Center for nearly 12 years, is stepping down and will be replaced by Interim Director Judy Castleberry, who may apply for the job permanently. Charles T. Corley, who has been serving as interim secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, has been named Secretary of the department, bringing a 30-year career in health and human services to his post. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has reappointed James J. Karam chair of the University of Massachusetts board of trustees and appointed other members including: Jeffrey Mullan, former secretary of transportation; attorney Margaret D. Xifaras; Lawrence M. Carpman, a Democratic political consultant; Alyce J. Lee of Milton, former chief of staff to Mayor Thomas Menino; Richard P. Campbell, a Boston lawyer; and Zoila M. Gomez, a Lawrence attorney. Fort Lee (New Jersey) School Superintendent Raymond Bandlow has accepted the superintendent position for the Beacon City school district in Dutchess County. Linda Flores (middle right), chief financial officer for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), Thursday was named interim director of the agency, replacing Ed Serna, who resigned. NASA's chief technologist Bobby Braun (middle center) will leave the agency next month and return to the Georgia Institute of Technology, after serving as adviser and advocate on agency-wide technology programs at NASA. Earl Hunter (middle left), chief of South Carolina's health and environmental department and the longest-serving commissioner in the state Department of Health and Environmental Control's history, is leaving his job after 31 years. The Galloway, New Jersey, Township Council has appointed Wildwood's Director of Human Resources, Kimberly Hodson, as township clerk replacing Lisa Tilton, and Marilyn Dolcy, Northfield's chief financial officer will take over from CFO Jill Gougher in October as CFO of Galloway. The Corvallis, Oregon, City Council has hired Jim Patterson, current city manager of Sherwood, as its city manager, effective Oct. 17. Fred Blackwell, executive director of San Francisco's Redevelopment Agency, has been named Oakland's assistant city administrator, effective Oct. 17. Amy Beth Cook (bottom left), who has served her entire 29-year career in public education at the Lake Stevens (Washington) School District, has been named superintendent of the school district. Former Florida Public Service Commission Chair Braulio Baez (bottom center), who served in that capacity from 2000 to 2006, has been offered the position of executive director of the commission, to replace former director Tim Devlin. Child support expert Howard Baldwin (bottom right) has been named interim chief of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, which protects elderly and underage Texans, replacing Anne Heiligenstein, who is retiring. The Molalla, Oregon, City Council has named Ellen Barnes, city administrator in Gold Beach, Oregon, for the last two years, to be the next city manager. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has selected interim Chief Brian Cummings as the new chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, succeeding Millage Peaks, who retired in July. Jay Grubbs, who worked for the Greenville Police Department for 29 years and has been with the Williamston, South Carolina, Police Department for the last year and served as interim chief since Richard Inman resigned in August, has been promoted to police chief in Willliamston.