Airports are one of the hottest new marketplaces. Renovation projects at airports throughout the country are abundant.

In spite of the fact that they are economic hubs, airports are all too often the first to suffer funding cuts when municipal budgets are stretched. As a result of critical needs and budget shortfalls, public-private partnerships (P3s or PPPs) and airport privatization are being explored internationally.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a program that allows municipalities to privatize their airport assets.

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'New York Works' program opens bids for contracts covering 51 projects statewide

Only weeks after the approval of the state budget, the "New York Works" program of Gov. Andrew Cuomo is off to a quick start. Officials Monday held bid openings for more than 50 road and bridge projects in the state. Five contracts that included 51 projects represent more than $64 million in projects throughout the state.

Andrew Cuomo

Cuomo said the program is designed to accelerate road and bridge projects that will help rebuild the state's infrastructure. "By opening up the first wave of contracts to bid just weeks after the Legislature passed the budget, New York State is demonstrating that we can work effectively and in an expedited manner to create jobs, grow local economies and rebuild our infrastructure," he said.

Construction on the first of the projects for which contracts were sought will likely begin by June. "DOT has transformed itself into a department that gets things done - and gets them done quickly," said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald. She said more projects will be announced in the months ahead.

Joan McDonald

The projects are being bundled in geographic areas in an effort to keep expenses low and in hopes of getting lower bids. Not only does the New York Works program focus on roads and bridges badly in need of repair, but also those that are in fair condition so their condition can be upgraded. Officials feel such preventive maintenance will extend the life of state roads and bridges.

The five bundled contracts include: approximately $9.7 million for pavement resurfacing projects on Major Deegan Expressway; $17.9 million for resurfacing projects on Prospect Expressway and the West Shore Expressway; a bridge contract of about $10.8 million for five bridges in Steuben County; an estimated $13.1 million for more than 20 resurfacing projects in Rensselaer, Albany, Washington and Columbia counties; and some $12.7 million for application of pavement sealant on more than 20 roads in Schenectady, Washington, Essex, Rensselaer, Oneida, Onondaga, Tompkins, Cattaraugus, Niagara, Chautauqua, Erie, Alleghany, Yates, Steuben, Lewis, Franklin and Otsego counties.

SBA sets size for companies to get set-asides for business contracts

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been busy adjusting size standards for businesses that are seeking set-asides for work for small businesses. The new standards vary and cover a variety of industries. The SBA made mostly upward revisions in 130 industries. The organization's efforts resulted in adding more than 27,000 new companies into the ranks of a "small business." Some of those had not been adjusted in some 30 years.

For instance, SBA upped the definition of a small architectural firm to one that has less than $4.5 million in revenue to one that has less than $7 million in revenue. Additionally, the definition of small engineering firms, based on sales, went from those with $4.5 million in sales to those with $14 million or less in sales.

The SBA also recommended that upward revisions on what constitutes a small business should be made on waste management, information, real estate, rental and leasing and other industries.

Some industry officials fear that increasing the pool of "small businesses" by adding more that have substantially more revenue than those that were at a lower rate in recent years will results in truly smaller businesses not being able to compete for contracting opportunities. However, the SBA is hopeful increasing the size standards for including in "small businesses" will mean more small businesses will keep their current small business status and it will give federal agencies a bigger selection to choose from for procurement opportunities set aside for small businesses.

Ban keeping contractors from donating to federal political candidates still in place

James Boasberg

Claims that prohibiting federal contractors from donating to political candidates is a violation of freedom of speech was struck down recently by a U.S. District Judge, keeping the 70-year-old provision in place - even if only temporarily. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg (pictured) rejected contractors' request to bar the Federal Election Commission from enforcing the ban until a final ruling in the case is made.

Three federal contractors brought the suit. Boasberg denied the request for a preliminary injuction, saying that transparency is important and even the slightest appearance of any kind of corruption in political contributions should be avoided.

The law is aimed at preventing "pay-to-play" agreements, where vendors seeking to do business with the federal government give money to political candidates who help them secure federal contracts. On the other hand, it also is designed to prevent heavy handedness when it comes to pressuring contractors into making donations or risk the loss of contracting opportunities.

Florida state budget allocated funding for FGCU P3

Tucked away in the recently passed $70 billion Florida state budget is funding being welcomed by Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). The university will be the recipient of $4.9 million to begin work on its public-private partnership (P3) Innovation Hub. The P3 is a research park that will specialize in renewable energy. The initial funding, according to university officials, will be used for site clearing, planning and design. FGCU Chief of Staff Susan Evans said the university is hopeful the remaining $12 million needed for the project will be availaable by next year. The project is a five-acre complex featuring a 240-acre research park that will house a 50,000-square-foot research center. It will be built north of the campus between FGCU and the Southwest Florida International Airport.

Ohio State making plans to privatize parking on university campus

E. Gordon Gee

The Ohio State University is looking into leasing its campus parking operations for up to 50 years. The university's parking is one of several services and assets on the OSU campus that are being considered as revenue generators, according to OSU President E. Gordon Gee. Gee said these considerations are aimed at creating a quick revenue source that the university can use toward teaching and research. OSU officials say if the university leases its parking and brings in $400 million, half of that could be used to hire more faculty, $75 million could be used for scholarship funds for students, another $75 million could be used for improvements to campus bus service and other transportation and $50 million could be used to support the arts and humanities on campus. The proposal is not without its opponents, as some fear that turning the parking over to a private company will result in higher fees and more stringent rules related to parking and fee payment.

Overload of needed repairs could lead Oregon school district to bond issue

After hearing a report recently that the Eugene (Oregon) school district is in need of more than $240 million in repairs and improvements, officials now are faced with the possibility of seeking a bond issue to pay for those costs. A consulting firm was hired to conduct an assessment of district facilities and found that not only were buildings - most of which were built before 1970 - in need of repair, but technology needs throughout the district are growing as well. Not only is the district short of necessary technology for its classrooms, but the electrical system in many of the schools has to be considered before technology is added. The survey conducted graded facilities on a 100-point scale with anything below 70 considered in poor condition. One middle school ranked a 40.08, which made officials wonder if tearing it down and starting over with a new building would not be more cost-effective. The analysis showed that most of the schools in the district will require a major investment in improvements over the next few years. The average scores throughout most of the buildings were in the low 70s. The consulting firm that handled the survey will make recommendations in early May as to how to proceed. They will recommend which schools should be improved, which should be demolished and which should be sold. Estimates are that the Edison Elementary will require spending of $5.7 million, Roosevelt Middle School will require $21.9 million to meet its needs and Churchill High will take $25.6 million.

MIT wants to build $450 million research facility on military base

William Bonvillian

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) wants to build a $450 million research facility at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts. Officials at MIT say the center would reinforce the base's high-tech mission while not costing new federal funds. They also say the facility would help enhance the value of the base. The research facility would be run by MIT's Lincoln Laboratory and small electronic components for use in aerospace, communications and missile technologies would be designed there. Already approved by the Pentagon, the project is awaiting a congressional OK. "This would be a major new innovation capability for Lincoln Labs. It replaces 1950s and 1960s buildings that have reached the end of their utility. It's a major asset for the state,'' said William Bonvillian, director of MIT's Washington office. MIT would be responsible for building the facility, at no cost to the government, but the government would in turn pay fees to use the facility. The research facility would be 250,000 to 300,000 square feet and would impact local businesses because it would require $150 million of locally and regionally produced materials.

Proposed Michigan budget includes millions for state's universities

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed state budget has brought a smile to the faces of officials at several state-supported universities in the state. If Snyder's budget passes, Central Michigan University will get $30 million toward its proposed bio-sciences building, Grand Valley State University will be allocated $30 million for a science lab, classroom and office building and Michigan State will get $30 million for a bio-engineering facility. Northern Michigan University would be allocated $30 million for replacement of Jamrich Hall under the governor's proposed budget, Oakland University would get $30 million for an engineering center and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor would be allocated $30 million for its G.G. Brown Memorial Laboratory. Another $30 million allocation would go to the University of Michigan-Dearborn for a science and computers information building, the University of Michigan-Flint would receive $16,627,500 for a Murchie Science Laboratory and Wayne State University would get $30 million for a multi-disciplinary biomedical research building.

West Virginia SBA hands out $37 million to several state schools

Mark Manchin

The West Virginia state School Building Authority (SBA) recently approved the distribution of $37 million in taxpayer funds to build and repair a dozen schools in West Virginia counties. A total of 23 schools sought more than $170 million for new facilities and to upgrade existing schools. "We funded counties that were the highest priority in keeping students in the state in safe schools," said Mark Manchin, president of the SBA. Among the allocations were: Lewis and Gilmer counties will share $9.6 million in funding to build an elementary school that will stretch across the two county lines in the consolidation of elementaries in both counties; Wyoming County will get $6.4 million for a consolidated elementary and middle school; Logan County will get $9 million; Preston County is awarded $4 million; Barbour County will get $1.4 million; Morgan County is set to receive $2.2 million; Wirt County is allocated $1.4 million; Pocahontas County gets $1.3 million; Clay County is to receive $1.6 million; Hardy and Marshall counties each get $250,000 for planning in advance of possible bond issues to fund school improvements.

Wayne State looking to renovate old auto building into research facility

Wayne State University is preparing to renovate the old Dalgleish Cadillac building in Detroit to make it into a new biomedical research facility. The university is hopeful to have $90 million - $30 million from the state and $63 million of its own funding - for the project. If undertaken, it will be the largest project in the university's history. The state funding is contingent on passage of Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed state budget, which allocates $30 million for the project. If the funds are approved, the university would begin by demolishing the American Beauty building next to the Cadillac building to make room for a parking lot for the new facility. Plans include remodeling the current 127,000-square-foot building and adding 70,000 more square feet. If money is approved, the project could begin this summer on the demolition and by November on the building renovation. The university anticipates housing 450 staff members in the building. 

Farmington officials studying proposed capital improvement budget

Tommy Roberts

Officials in Farmington, New Mexico, are studying a proposed capital improvement budget for streets and parks departments. Most of the projects are funded through Parks and Public Works Departments' dedicated funds. The Public Works Department's budget for capital improvements for FY 2013 totals $8.2 million while the parks capital improvement budget totals $1.3 million. Among the largest expenditures is for street repaving, where $4.5 million would be spent over the next two construction seasons. Mayor Tommy Roberts noted that streets are in bad shape and questioned how far the $4.5 million would go and was told it would repave 64 lane lines or 32 miles of two-lane road. The Public Works Department also wants to repair the city's storm water drainage system damaged during a 2010 storm. Officials are hoping that $1.2 million of the projected cost of $1.5 million will be paid for by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Other projects include $754,000 for operation and maintenance projects, including irrigation improvements, playground improvements, renovation of facilities, athletic fields and paving, landscaping and utilities. Another $550,000 will be used to continue ongoing projects, including mowing, work on river trails, park restrooms and the sewer system at the sports complex.

Chicago Amtrak station in line for upgrade

A $300,000 state grant through the Illinois Energy Now program will result in an energy efficiency upgrade for the Chicago-based Amtrak station. The funds will help Amtrak reduce its natural gas consumption and help the rail company save millions of dollars each year. The Energy Now program provides millions of dollars in rebates to public entities that make large-scale equipment improvements to their electric and natural gas systems.

Farmington airport seeking to fill manager slot at facility

The search for a new airport manager in Farmington, New Mexico, has been narrowed to two finalists. The finalists include Todd Gressick and Bill Turner, who were among a pool of 30 candidates. Assistant City Manager Bob Campbell said both finalists have experience working in airports. A final decision is expected to be made today. Gressick manages three airports in Delaware for the Delaware River and Bay Authority.

Upgrades totaling more than $470 million considered for Orlando airport

Phil Brown

Orlando airport officials are expected to vote today on funding that will result in high-tech, self-service upgrades costing up to $472 million. Orlando International Airport Director Phil Brown said the board is trying to keep up with what is state-of-the-art in airports. If the board approves the measure, close to a dozen major airlines that use the airport will be asked for support and comments. If they sign off on the upgrades, construction could begin later this year or early next year. Electronic kiosks could replace human representatives at ticket counters, but they are not expected to cause massive layoffs. A makeover of the front desk is estimated to cost $90 million. Tickets kiosks would be more widespread throughout the airport. The lion's share of the funding - $117 million - would be for renovations of the baggage-handling system. The Transportation Security Administration would install new detection equipment and the agency would pay for that equipment. Other changes would include enlarging four of the 24 gates and the customs area is expected upgrades to make checking in faster for foreign travelers. The airport anticipates spending close to $190 million on interest payment on money borrowed for the projects. It would likely be paid back over 17 years from an existing levy already tagged onto tickets sold for the airport.

 

D.C. utility seeking RFPs for marketing services

The District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility (DC SEU) has issued an RFP seeking vendors from District-based, full-service marketing and public relations firms. The firms should have experience in brand development and management, advertising, marketing, media planning and management, social media, Web site design and development, media relations, public relations and events. Responses to the RFP are due by April 30.

 

Maryland board approves $37M for plant upgrades, wetlands construction

The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved grants totaling more than $37 million to be used for sewage treatment plant upgrades and wetlands construction. Among the grants is one for $33.5 million for Harford County's Sod Run Wastewater Treatment Plan. The goal of upgrades at the plant is to reduce nitrogen discharges by 60 percent and phosphorus emissions by 85 percent. Grant funds of $354,000 were awarded to create 3.5 acres of wetlands in Anne Arundel County. Also funded are upgrades for the Joppatowne Wastewater Treatment Plant in Harford County and the Cumberland wastewater plant in Allegany County.

 

Washington State gets approval for $152 million in projects

Stan Finkelstein

More than $152 million in public infrastructure construction projects have been approved throughout Washington State. The state's Public Works Board announced that 58 projects will be funded to benefit 46 local communities. The projects are aimed at improving drinking water, addressing sanitary sewers, storm water and solid waste systems. The funds will go to local communities to address upgrades in those systems, improve public health and safety, address environmental issue and provide for economic development. Public Works Board Chair Stan Finkelstein said the list of projects were part of Gov. Chris Gregoire's recommended loan list in her capital budget proposal. "Over the past four months, we have worked very closely with the governor and the State Legislature to finalize the list of construction-ready projects that was included in the 2012 Supplemental Capital Budget," he said. To view a detailed list of the projects, click here and look under "Recent Reports."

 

For information about these and other funding opportunities,

contact Reagan Weil at 512-531-3900.

 

Washington approves more than $1 billion for public works projects

California moves to revamp prison system as inmate numbers shift

(To view these stories, click here and look under "Around the Nation.")

Check out these recent awards:

• Western Contracting Corp. has been awarded a $2 million contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for levee repair work along the Missouri River in southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri, including placing rip rap on the river side of a new setback levee built near Hamburg, Iowa, and Watson, Missouri, and installing a filter fabric to reduce erosion.
• Alvarez & Associates has won a contract worth up to $12.6 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs for general purpose information technology equipment.
• Corinthian Contractors has been awarded a contract worth up to $1.5 million from the General Services Administration for construction, mining, excavating and highway maintenance equipment.
• Blackhawk-Jamco, a joint venture in San Antonio, has been awarded a $16 million design-build contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District for an Army Reserve training center in Florida, including a training facility, organizational maintenance shop and storage building collectively including 64,514 square feet.
• King Street Metro Venture won a contract worth up to $4.5 million from the General Services Administration for lease or rental of facilities.
• Soliel was awarded a contract worth up to $2.3 million from the Defense Information Systems Agency for information technology services, including telecommunications services.
• McMillen LLC was named the winner of a $10.75 million contract from the U.S. Department of the Interior for construction of the federal Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, a 280-mile, $1 billion pipeline project that will serve more than 43 Navajo communities in New Mexico and Arizona, the city of Gallup and part of the Jicarilla Apache Nation in northern New Mexico.
• Centech Group won a contract worth up to $8 million from the Air Force for information technology services, including telecommunications services.
• HP Enterprise Services was awarded a contract worth up to $2.9 million from the Army for general purpose information technology equipment.
• LB&B Associates won a contract worth up to $12 million from the General Services Administration for maintenance, repair and alteration of real property.
• Third Crystal Park Associates won a contract worth up to $10.5 million from the General Services Administration for lease or rental of facilities.

Emanuel's 'Infrastructure Trust' P3 approved by Chicago Council

Rahm Emanuel

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 'Infrastructure Trust' public-private partnerships proposal has finally gained the approval of the City Council. Financed by five private investor groups, the entity will be operated by a five-member board that will identify infrastructure projects that will benefit both the city and the investors. One of the first projects is expected to be an energy retrofit of city facilities.

 Because the city's infrastructure is deteriorating and there is an aversion to tax increases, Emanuel said the use of private funds to address infrastructure needs is necessary. He tried to allay some fears of opponents of the trust, noting that the trust will not lease any assets. Some of the projects suggested for funding by various aldermen include rehabilitation of the Chicago Transit Authority Red Line and providing affordable rental housing.

Virginia public-private tunnel project awarded $422 million in funds

A public-private tunnel project in Virginia has been awarded a loan for $422 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funds will help the state build a new Midtown Tunnel and upgrade existing tunnels in Norfolk and Portsmouth. From the Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (TIFIA), the loan will help defray the costs of the $2.1 billion project. Officials are hopeful that the project will keep toll rates down by lowering the cost of financing the project.

The Midtown Tunnel will be built next to the current tunnel. The old tunnel and two other downtown tunnels will be rehabilitated. A private partner, Elizabeth River Crossings Opco, has been awarded a 58-year concession for financing, construction, maintenance and tolls on the tunnels. This is one of what the state hopes will be continued P3 projects, as the Commonwealth's Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships recently selected teams of consultants to help identify and bring more P3s to fruition. 

New Mexico

• The New Mexico General Services Department is seeking bids for security guard services, with the bid to provide uniformed and ununiformed armed security services to the state.
• The New Mexico General Services Department is seeking bids for a vendor to take over the printer and copier fleet to optimize the print environment and reduce document spending through the consolidation of assets and having balanced deployment of multifunction devices. The State is looking to partner with companies that can provide the appropriate managed services to ensure the success of this program and future improvements.
• The New Mexico General Services Department is seeking bids for a multi-state contractor for electronic monitoring of offenders.

Nebraska

• The State of Nebraska is seeking a qualified contractor to provide elevator service and inspection on specified intervals.

Georgia

• The City of Johns Creek is accepting bids from qualified construction firms for parking lot expansion at Newtown Park.
• The Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission is seeking bids on behalf of the Georgia Department of Corrections for roof replacement for the Phillips State Prison Administration Building.
• Athens-Clarke, Georgia, county government is seeking proposals to provide wrecker and towing services for the Transportation and Public Works/Fleet Management Division of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County.

Pennsylvania

• The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is seeking bids for demolition of an auto repair shop and a small takeout restaurant with attached rental apartment located in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.
• The Pennsylvania Department of General Services is seeking proposals for lease of office space to provide 37,890 useable square feet of office space for the Department of Environmental Protection in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is seeking bids for ceiling tiles with two potential options. The first would be supplying standard ceiling tiles and the second would be supplying the ceiling tiles cut to Department of Revenue specifications.

Delaware

• Delaware State University is seeking bids for providinge the cleaning of the University Village Apartments located on the Dover campus and the Courtyard Apartments located on College Road in Dover. The University Village Apartments consist of three buildings with 296 units of various designs. The Courtyard consists of seven buildings with 144 units of various designs.
• The Delaware Department of Transportation is seeking bids for an Enterprise Document Management System, software and implementation. The goal is to standardize and expedite document storage, retrieval, coordination of updates and tracking the status of reviews and approvals on individual documents. The conversion of existing electronic documents currently stored in other applications is also requested.

Annette M. Spicuzza (top left), police chief at University of California Davis during last November's pepper spray incident, has retired and ended her 27-year law enforcement career, with Matt Carmichael named as the new campus police chief. Juliette B. Bell (top middle), provost and vice president for academic affairs at Central State University in Ohio, has been chosen to be the next president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, effective July 1. Emile C. (Mel) Netzhammer, III (top right), who has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs for Keene State College In New Hampshire since 2006, has been named the new chancellor of Washington State University Vancouver, effective July 2. Cristina Raecke and Angel Burgos have been hired as executive directors at Florida International University's College of Business Administration, with Raecke responsible for publications, Web presence, event marketing and the development and implementation of the marketing strategies for graduate and undergraduate programs and Burgos directing and managing the MBA programs and with management responsibility for the Master of International Business program. Rudy Fichtenbaum, an economics professor at Wright State University, will be the new president of the American Association of University Professors. Dr. Teresa Paper (middle right), former Dean of the College at Scott Community College in Iowa, has been chosen as the new president of the college, replacing former President Dr. Thomas Coley, who is taking over as chancellor of Ivy Technical College's North Central Region in South Bend, Indiana. Louie W. Bright, III, (middle center), who joined the Dallas Fire Department in 1981 and has worked his way up from firefighter, paramedic, captain, deputy chief, assistant chief and two stints as interim chief, has been named chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue. Dr. Enrique Solis (middle left), a visiting professor and interim chair of occupational education at Texas State University-San Marcos, has been appointed interim provost of the Austin Community College District. Dartmouth College President Jim Yong Kim has been selected chief of The World Bank, replacing Robert Zoellick, whose term ends in June. Nadia Lockyer, wife of California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, has announced that she will resign from Almeda County's Board of Supervisors so she can focus on raising the couple's son. Nelson Goodin has been appointed by New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez to fill a judicial vacancy on the local District Court bench in Las Cruces, to replace former District Court Judge Mike Murphy, who resigned. Florida International University's founding Vice President for Engagement, Divina Grossman (bottom left), has been announced as the new chancellor the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Bill Schrier (bottom center), longtime CTO of Seattle, is stepping down next month to become the deputy director of the Center for Digital Government, an advisory and research organization operated by e.Republic, Government Technology's parent company. Lt. Gen Michael Flynn (bottom right) has been nominated by the Pentagon to serve as its next intelligence chief, and if confirmed, he will head the Defense Intelligence Agency, replacing current DIA director Lt. Gen. Ronald Burgess. Longtime educator Roger Blake, who has been with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for the last 15 years, has been named new executive director of CIF, replacing the retiring Marie Ishida. Maurice Jones, formerly president of a media company in Norfolk, Virginia, was recently sworn in as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March. Bobby Hart, a Hope, Arkansas, high school principal, will be the next superintendent of the Hope School District, replacing outgoing Superintendent Kenneth Muldrew, who is retiring.