$2.1 billion in federal funds available for counterterrorism, disaster preparedness

Janet Napolitano

Vendors will find a multitude of contracting opportunities through FY 2011 Homeland Security Department counterterrorism and disaster preparedness grants. These federal grants are made to state and local agencies, with much of the funding dedicated for purchase of equipment, training and planning services, communications equipment, operations centers, mobile devices, monitoring systems and other information technology.

Because the total amount of the grant funding was reduced from last fiscal year, the grant awards are focused on high-risk areas. "In today's tight fiscal environment, we are setting clear priorities and focusing on the areas that face the greatest risk to maximize our limited grant dollars," said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. "The FY 2011 homeland security grants are focused on mitigating and responding to the evolving threats we face."

The amount allocated to the different programs include:

• State Homeland Security program - $526 million to support state programs, 25 percent of which goes to law enforcement;
• Urban Areas Security Initiative - $662 million for regional initiatives divided between Tier I and Tier II areas;
• Operation Stonegarden - $54 million to facilitate cooperation and coordination of law enforcement agencies at all levels of government;
• Metropolitan Medical Response Program - $34 million for regional mass casualty incident response and preparedness capabilities; and
• Citizen Corps Program - $9 million to engage citizens in preparedness, response and other activities.

Some of the other spending amounts include $235 million for port security programs, $329 million to state emergency management agencies, $200 million for transit systems, $22 million for intercity passenger rail/Amtrak security and $14 million for emergency operations centers. Vendors should follow these funds to the end-user, where contracts will be awarded.

State approves $12 billion reconstruction program for highway network

Paula Wolff

A 15-year program that will keep road and bridge construction and renovation contracts before vedors calls for $12 billion worth of rebuilding, widening, expanding and upgrading major portions of Illinois' nearly 300 miles of highways. The measure was passed recently by the Illinois Tollway board. Although tolls will increase, some by as much as double the current rate, officials say the project is necessary to keep the state's transportation needs moving.

 

"A year and a half ago, the Tollway Board set out to create a plan to build a state-of-the-art, 21st century transportation system to serve our customers and improve mobility in Northern Illinois," said Tollway Board Chair Paula Wolff. "We have reviewed many proposals, had many discussions, listened to many people and now believe that this is the best plan to improve the Tollway system, deliver the new projects our region demands to maintain global competitiveness and - anticipating future needs - incorporate transit in our highway travel to relieve congestion and reduce pollution."

 

The plan includes $8.32 billion to fund improvements to the existing Tollway System. These needs are programmed to be performed at the right time to keep the existing 286 miles of roadways in a state of good repair. Projects include:

• Reconstructing and widening the 52-year-old Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90); from the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to Rockford;
• Reconstructing more than 20 miles of the central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Edens Spur (I-94);
• Preserving the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88);
• Preserving the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355);
• Repairing roads, bridges and maintenance facilities; and
• Other capital projects, including local interchanges.

New York county looking to P3 as possible solution for courthouse project

Short on local funds and anticipating cuts in state funds, Seneca County (New York) officials are studying the use of additional public-private partnerships to renovate the county courthouse. The county already is working with the Seneca County Courthouse and Downtown Redevelopment Group to help pay for courthouse operations. The redevelopment group could then put in place a payment plan for the county to pay out a low-interest loan on renovations, which they see as less expensive than demolishing the building and building a new one. The $8 million renovation was put on hold when the state cut funding to local governments. The redevelopment group has indicated they are willing to help develop other public-private partnerships and sources of public funding to make the project financially feasible. They feel additional stakeholders and stakeholders working on different aspects of the project can make the renovations happen.

University in Tennessee planning to build $6 million facility

Tim Hall

Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, has announced it is planning to construct a new $6 million math and computer science building. To make room for the building, two buildings that currently house the university's Technology Help Desk and High School Upward Bound will be razed. Those two programs will then be moved to other facilities. University President Tim Hall recently announced the approval for the new building. Officials cite the continued growth of the university's student population as the reason for the need of the new facility. Construction is expected to begin next summer. Officials are hopeful that the facility will be open in the fall of 2013.

Texas school district planning $249.2 million bond election

Five new campuses, a natatorium and bus barn will be paid for by bond proceeds if a $249.2 million bond election in November passes in the Lamar Consolidated ISD in Texas. The bond proceeds also would provide for technology upgrades and building renovations. This bond election comes five years after district voters approved a $281 million bond vote. The bond package includes $193 million for new construction, including an $82 million fifth high school, a $41 million junior high and a $15 million sixth grade campus. A $3.6 million addition to the district's satellite transportation center would also be constructed. Two elementary schools, with price tags of $16 million and $19 million are also part of the proposal. A $13 million natatorium would be built and a $3.3 million agriculture barn. Renovations totaling $24 million would be done at more than two dozen current buildings. More than $21 million is slated to be spent on technology-related improvements, including $10.6 million for new computers and the remainder spent on other equipment, including projectors, printers, communication and interactive learning systems. 

Bond election in Michigan city would renovate several buildings

In Hudson, Michigan, voters will face a November $7.25 million bond proposal to renovate some campus buildings. A similar proposal was put before voters in May. The district is seeking to make infrastructure improvements to its elementary, middle and high school, all constructed in the late 1950s. A group surveyed voters as to why the most recent bond issue failed and found that proposed spending on athletic fields and parking lots cause some heartburn for voters. This bond issue reduces repairs and upgrades to Thompson Field from $882,000 to $285,000 and would bring outdated electrical service and bleachers up to code. The parking lot provisions have been mostly removed from the bond issue.

Marilyn Terranova

New York school district hopes to pass $12.8 million bond issue

Eastchester Union Free School District in New York will ask voters in October to spend $12.8 million on new classrooms and some upgrades to Eastchester Middle School. Officials are hoping the third time is the charm, as bond issues were rejected by voters in both 2006 and 2008. The school has been above student capacity for years, according to Superintendent Marilyn Terranova. She noted that even old toilet rooms and closets have been converted to classroom space. The proposed bond issue would add 14 new classrooms, an elevator and move some office space to another part of the school. Terranova said officials expect that with interest rates low, the project could come under budget and put people to work. "This is really a good time to do this project," she said. 

Maryland schools studying private financing for school projects

Strapped for cash and facing debilitating schools, Maryland officials are looking into the prospects of using alternative financing arrangements such as those used in Great Britain and Canada, to build and renovate schools. These types of arrangements provide private financing and can provide local governments with large capital infusions. They also allow for quicker construction of projects. The officials also are looking into the possibility of local governments working together to help see that schools are repaired and upgraded. The state estimates that some $6 billion is needed to upgrade Maryland schools to minimum standards.

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:  

• Wharton Smith Inc. was awarded a $15.1 million contract to revamp and install sewage treatment equipment, lift stations and an aquifer storage recovery well for the city of Cocoa Beach, Florida's, wastewater treatment plant;
• DB ConsultingGroup of Silver Springs, Maryland, was awarded a two-year contracting option for information technology services for NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, with the option having a value not to exceed $36 million and the extension from Aug. 24 of this year to Aug. 23, 2013, increasing the value of the contract to $88 million;
• Skanska USA Building Inc. has been awarded a $16.1 million contract by the Evergreen Public Schools in Washington state to construct its new Health and BioScience Academy;
• Accenture Federal Services has been awarded a three-year, $5.9 million contract by the U.S. Department of the Navy to support the Navy's Financial Improvement Program to assess and design standard financial business processes with all major commands;
• EwingCole has won an architectural and engineering design contract by the Lackawanna County (Pennsylvania) commissioners for renovations to PNC Field valued at more than $2.531 million for the new design;
• Teal Construction Co. has won an $11.1 million contract from the Alice (Texas) Independent School District Board of Trustees for the construction of a new intermediate school;
• Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc., in Columbia, Maryland, has been awarded an ID/IQ contract for $450 million from NASA to support a wide range of mission operations in all phases of the mission life cycle, including concept studies, formulation development, implementation, operations, sustaining engineering and decommissioning. The contractor also will support operations studies, systems engineering, design, implementation, integration and testing of ground systems and operations products, mission operations and sustaining engineering;
• Science Applications International Corp. has been awarded a ID/IQ contract with four one-year options worth more than $22 million if all options are exercised for environmental consulting services in support of the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security and military, civil works and international and interagency service customers;
• Straub Construction Co. has been awarded a $4.9 million contract by the Jackson County (Missouri) Legislature to build a new animal shelter in Independence.

Teaching university in Galveston plans $438 million hospital

David Callender

Officials with The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) will soon break ground on a new $438 million hospital. Officials are hoping for a construction start date sometime in 2015, with an operational date of 2016. The new hospital will be partially funded by a $170 million pledge from the Galveston-based Sealy & Smith Foundation. The new Jennie Sealy Hospital will feature 250 patient rooms, state-of-the-art surgical suites and intensive care space and areas for both visiting and consultation. Dr. David L. Callender, UTMB president called the new hospital, which will complement UTMB's existing John Sealy Hospital, a "major milestone" in the university's recovery from the devastating damages caused by Hurricane Ike in 2008. John Sealy is currently being renovated and modernized. In addition to the gift from the Foundation, the Texas Legislature approved debt service for a $150 million Tuition Revenue Bond to help defray construction costs. UTMB will shoulder $118 million of the cost and seek another $100 million through philanthropic giving.

  

Cape Girardeau's $66 million wastewater treatment plant approved

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has approved plans for a $66 million wastewater treatment plant for Cape Girardeau. Ground is expected to be broken next year. The city has been approved for loans of $31 million the first year and $39 million the second. If the construction bids come in low enough, the remaining loan funds could be used for upgrades. If the total costs are over the $70 million in loans, the remainder will be paid for by bonds Cape Girardeau voters approved previously. The city also plans to upgrade commercial recycling at its transfer station. The current wastewater treatment plant has allowed untreated sewage to go directly into the Mississippi River. Part of the penalty for that infraction was an agreement to upgrade some other public works facilities. The city will now submit an application to the Department of Natural Resources for a construction permit in either November or December. Officials hope to start construction in the spring, with a completion date next year. 

 

Cedar Rapids seeking proposals for new $49 million library

Proposed Cedar Rapids Library

Cedar Rapids is on the verge of construction of a new $49 million library. Questions had been raised about the size of the proposed facility and parking for the facility. What has been proposed is a 94,000-square-foot building, which is 10,000 square feet larger than the previously flooded facility it is replacing. The 94,000 square feet has been trimmed from the original 105,000 square feet. In spite of the questions, the City Council approved the facility's plans and cost estimates. The project will now seek bids for construction. The bid opening is set for Sep. 21. Construction is expected to begin in late November. Officials are hoping for a completion and opening date in June 2013.

 

$550 million in bonds approved for projects statewide in Louisiana

The Louisiana State Bond Commission has approved more than $550 million for projects throughout the state. The projects range from infrastructure to funding for local government services. The projects approved include:

• Catahoula Parish, Town of Jonesville: $3.2 million for constructing and acquiring improvements to the waterworks system and $3.3 million for constructing and acquiring improvements to the sewerage system;
• East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana Capital Area Project Safety Council: $6.3 million for acquisition, construction, equipping and furnishing a state-of-the-art training center and for funding a debt service reserve fund;
• Evangeline Parish Police Jury: $1.5 million for equipment, supplies, maintenance, operation, construction, improvement, renovation and support of the parish library and its branches;
• Jefferson Parish Council, Hospital District Nos. 1 & 2: $42 million for acquisition and installation of new medical equipment, renovation of the hospital and the construction of a new clinic (No. 1) and $54 million for acquisition and installation of new medical equipment, renovation of the hospital and expansion of the facilities for a new emergency and cardiology departments (No. 2);
• Madison Parish, City of Tallulah: $93,000 for installation of lighting on Interstate 20 at U.S. Highway 65 corridor;
• Point Coupee Parish, Town of Livonia: $3.7 million for construction and acquisition of a sewerage system;
• St. Mary Parish Council: $600,000 for making capital improvements and funding a reserve; and
• Washington Parish, Town of Franklinton: $2 million for constructing and improving streets and drainage facilities and improvements.

One-third of DHS security funding for Houston headed to port

Annise Parker

More than $66 million in Department of Homeland Security grant funding for security issues is headed to the Greater Houston Area, with more than a third of the total going to port security. "We take our role as a major U.S. city and hub for international trade very seriously," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. "We are a safe city, but we want our emergency personnel to always be ready with the latest tools and training." A total of $25 million comes through the Port Security Grant Program, but the city of Houston and other entities will earn more than $41 million for urban programs that include training and equipment that can be used in the event of a terrorist attack. The funds will be shared by Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria and Galveston counties. The City of Houston will be awarded $15 million, part of which will be used to purchase a new radio system for the police and fire departments and mobile data computers for police vehicles.

 

Philadelphia Airport issues RFP for advertising business

The City of Philadelphia has issued a Request for Proposals for the development and operation of the advertising business at Philadelphia International Airport. The contract will run for seven years. The city is prepared to enter into contracts with either one or two candidates. According to the RFP, the proposals should include, but not be limited, to advertising concepts such as Web site advertising, utilization of state-of-the-art advertising mediums such as digital signs, electronic poster, dioramas, wall, window and jetbridge wraps, exhibits, kiosks outdoor and indoor banners, electronic media and network programming services. Bid deadline is Oct. 28. The Philly airport handled 30.7 million passengers last year.

 

Ackerman

Bennett

Buss

Dr. Arlene Ackerman, superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia, has stepped down from the post she has held since June 2008, and Dr. Leroy Nunery, former deputy superintendent/deputy chief executive of the district has been named acting superintendent. G. Kemble "Kem" Bennett is stepping down from his job at the helm of the Texas A&M University Dwight College of Engineering and as the A&M System's vice chancellor for engineering, to become a part-time faculty member in the industrial engineering department. Florida Corrections Secretary Edwin Buss has resigned his post and has been replaced by Ken Tucker, deputy commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Katherine Leach, a consultant at Nova Southeastern University who trains schools to work with children with autism, and Donna Kom, a real estate agent, have been appointed to the Broward (Florida) School Board replacing Jennifer Gottlieb and Dave Thomas, who both resigned. Longtime government economist Tom Clifford has been named by New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez as the state's Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration, taking over for Rick May, who has resigned to pursue other interests. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam

Friedkin

Simon

Coats

has named congressional policy veteran Patrick Sheehan as director of the Office of Energy and has named , former television political talk show host Robin Safley to direct school nutrition programs. Dan Friedkin of Houston has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve as chair of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, which oversees the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. John Simon, Duke University's vice provost for academic affairs, has been named by University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan to serve as UV's executive vice president and provost, succeeding Arthur Garson Jr., who stepped down in May. Pinellas County (Florida) Sheriff Jim Coats, who joined the sheriff's office in 1971 and was elected sheriff in 2004, says he will resign from office in November to take care of his wife, who is ill. Businessman Heriberto "Berto" Guerra Jr. has been named by San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro as the new board chair of the San Antonio Water System. John Barton, former assistant executive director for engineering operations at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), has been named interim executive director of the agency, but has also applied for the job full-time.Sam Escobar has been appointed Orange Cove's (California) new city manager, after having 

Biggs

Bain

Hardy

served as Sanger's assistant engineer for four and a half years, and will replace Alan Bengyel, who left earlier this year. David C. Biggs, current interim assistant city administrator in Montebello and former city manager of Tustin and Morgan Hill, has been appointed city manager of Carson City, California. The University of the District of Columbia has selected Dr. Ken Bain, current vice provost for University Learning at Montclair State University in New Jersey, as its new provost and vice president of academic affairs. Jackson State University has appointed Mark G. Hardy, College of Science, Engineering and Technology dean and JSU employee for 24 years, as the university's new provost and vice president of academic affairs. Michael Phillips, city manager of the city of Rincon, Georgia since April 2009, resigned his post last week to move closer to extended family in South Carolina. Titusville, Florida, Fire Chief Chuck Bogle, will close out a 25-year career with the city to become chief of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island in northeast Florida. Roanoke County (Virginia) Police Chief Ray Lavinder, will retire Nov. 1 after a nearly 40-year law enforcement career and after having served as chief for the last 14 years, with Assistant Police Chief Terrell Holbrook to become acting chief.