In the world of government where budget constraints are becoming more difficult each week, one service area is particularly ripe for private sector solutions. Wastewater plants that are in dire need of upgrades are definite targets for public-private partnerships (P3s).

Most plants have maxed out rate increases and lack the funding resources to implement much-needed upgrades. Throughout the country, the trend for these types of partnership engagements is getting stronger each month. For example: 

• Falmouth, Massachusetts, hosted The SmarterCape Summit that focused on regional issues including wastewater. Throughout the event, discussions on the benefits and feasibility of public-private partnerships were discussed, emphasizing that with adequate research done by each party, the partnerships could ultimately increase efficiency and effectiveness for all.

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Lists includes long-time priorities as well as new transportation concepts

Bob McDonnell

Long-time priority projects and new concepts for possible public-private partnership projects have been announced by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. In announcing the projects, the governor noted the partnerships between the Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships (OTP3) and public sector partners will offer "the very best of government and private sector innovation and financing." 

 

The project list includes "candidate" projects and "conceptual" projects. The conceptual projects are multimodal projects that will sync private sector partners and state agencies such as the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Transportation.  

 

Sean Connaughton

Some of the candidate projects include I-95 corridor improvements, regional traffic operations centers, improvements at the Port of Virginia, I-66 corridor improvements and I-64 Peninsula improvements.

 

Among the conceptual projects are I-495 express lanes extensions, advertising and sponsorship opportunities, rest area enhancements - some with electric car charging stations and some with truck parking facilities - cell towers and fiber optic opportunities, privatization of parking facilities and Route 460 business corridor improvements.  

 

Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton said the OTP3 will "focus on identification, development and delivery of P3 projects across all modes of transportation in Virginia." He said the agency is responsible for ensuring an environment that encourages the use of P3s and then implement those projects. To view the PPTA pipeline, click here.

 

Says public-private partnerships can provide new source of revenue for projects

Clay Jones

Rockwell Collins knows aerospace. The company is a pioneer in the design, production and support of the aerospace industry. And Rockwell Collins President and CEO Clay Jones says a new way of thinking is necessary to modernize the United States air transportation system by 2020.

At a recent Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics symposium, Collins encouraged officials in the industry to turn to public-private partnerships (P3s) to help implement NextGen quicker. Non-traditional approaches such as P3s are the answer, he said.

Collins pointed to the country's use of public-private partnerships for transportation infrastructure. He noted that highways, bridges and tunnels are often now owned by the private sector instead of government. He also pointed out that other P3 agreements have led to new sources of revenue without raising taxes. Just like the country's aging and deteriorating highway infrastructure, Collins said the nation's aviation infrastructure also is suffering from age.

The aviation expert said if the current air transportation infrastructure is not modernized to meet the needs of the 21st century, the result will be "overcrowded skies and airports that will hamstring everything from commerce to personal travel with recurrent delays."

$600 million bond proposal recommended by Dallas city manager

Mary Suhm

With Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings saying "the basics are important," the Dallas City Council heard a recommendation for a major bond program that would include such issues as drainage improvements, street repairs and economic development. City Manager Mary Suhm presented her recommendation for a $600 million bond proposal that includes $221.2 million for street improvements, $323.8 million for flood, drainage and erosion projects and $55 million for economic development. Among the proposed projects: an underground tunnel to alleviate flooding, upgrades to the Able Pump Station, resurfacing or reconstruction of nearly 150 lane-miles of streets and arteries, alley improvements, bike lanes, hike and bike trails. The remaining money, $55 million, would go toward economic development projects, including improvements related to the University of North Texas and extending Colorado Boulevard in west Oak Cliff to facilitate development there. To view the complete list of recommendations from Suhm, click here.

Check out these recent awards:

• Pennsylvania Breaker LLC has been awarded a $1.6 million contract by the city of Austin, Texas, for the purchase of 145kV dead tank circuit breakers for use at Austin Energy substations.
• Better Health has been awarded a $36 million contract by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration for a health plan to transition rural Medicaid patients and their doctors into a managed care system.
• Texas Descon Construction has been awarded a contract of just over $9 million by the city of Pharr, Texas, for an aquatic center that includes a flume body slide and a lazy river ride.
• CSC won a contract worth $91 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration to implement a cloud software-as-a-service solution for its Enterprise Messaging System in a one-year base period and six option years.
• Auch Construction Company has been awarded the construction contract by the Brighton, Michigan, school district to oversee an $88.4 million bond project that includes major technology upgrades, a new high school pool, athletic facility upgrades, new roofs and roof repairs to schools and assorted other repair and maintenance projects throughout the district.
• Westfield Concession Management has been awarded a 17-year concession contract by the Los Angeles International Airport to develop, lease and manage restaurants, beverage stands, retail shops and some passenger services at three terminals.
• Harris Corp. has won a two-year, $19 million contract to install secure wireless infrastructure at 26 Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and will design, install, validate and provide employee training for Cisco Systems 802.11g routers and access points at the facilities.
• Overdrive Inc. has won a $2.2 million contract from the city of Austin, Texas, to increase the amount of digital material available on loan through the Austin Public Library Web site.
• Magruder Paving LLC has been awarded a contract for $1,493,235 by the Missouri Department of Transportation for pavement improvements in Mississippi County, including the addition of a thin-lift overlay on Route 80 in two disconnected sections from east of Route AA to Belmont, on Route 77 in two disconnected sections near Wyatt and Dorena, and on Route 102 from south of Route 80 to Route A near Dorena.
• Kaufman Lynn Construction was selected by Florida Atlantic University as construction manager for the site development and construction of a $10.5 million, 1,000 car parking garage to be located on the university's Boca Raton campus.

Public-private partnership sought for Georgia Northwest Corridor

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is seeking bids from qualified vendors interested in design, build and finance options for the nearly 30 miles of I-75/575 Northwest Corridor. Among the improvements in the project is the addition of reversible managed lanes and extending the existing high occupancy vehicle lanes north along I-75 and I-575. Although the successful bidder will finance, design and build the roadway, GDOT will retain responsibility for operation and maintenance of the toll road. Deadline for vendors to register their interest in the project is July 19.

Montclair State enters into P3 partnership with energy company

Susan Cole

"The new CHCP plant is not only an example of the University's entrepreneurial management of its scarce financial resources, it also reflects our campus-wide commitment to environmental conservation and alternative energy," said Montclair State President Susan A. Cole. She said the agreement is not just an example of the university finding alternate funding sources, but also "reflects our campus-wide commitment to environmental conservation and alternative energy."The project includes the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the plant on property leased from the university for 30 years through a state-approved P3 agreement. The plant will provide natural gas-fired electric generation and chilled water will be delivered to and returned from campus buildings by way of a new energy distribution center. Most of the university's electric needs will be satisfied by the plant.Montclair State University is hoping its public-private partnership with energy company Energenic-US, LLC will net a big savings from replacing the university's heating and cooling system without construction funding from the university or the state. Under the agreement, a new combined heating, cooling and power system (CHCP) will be developed for Montclair State, resulting in more environmentally responsible energy services for the university. Energenic-US, LLC has been a long-term partner with DCO Energy LLC and Maria Energy LLC. The $90 million partnership will result in a state-of-the-art facility and related infrastructure that will replace the current energy plant built in the 1940s. The project is expected to return a more cost-effective, efficient and reliable method of delivery of heating, cooling and electrical services. This will be Montclair State's second P3 agreement.

 

Private firm enters partnership with university for cybersecurity graduates

Northrop Grumman is entering into a partnership with the University of Maryland to seek to groom students for degrees related to cybersecurity. NG will put $1.1 million into an undergraduate program that will begin in the fall. It is yet another example of public-private partnerships aimed at ensuring a skilled workforce for emerging industries. In addition to the funding, NG will also provide staff members, guest speakers and mentors to assist with those who enter internship programs. The program, Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students, is hopeful to enroll 45 freshman students its first semester. The program is expected to include six courses and supplemental honors-level classes for students with primary fields of study such as business, engineering and psychology. A new dorm will be constructed for the students, as well as a computer lab. Many private sector firms such as NG report they are already seeing benefits of the academic partnerships between universities and the private sector.

 

Texas

• The city of Laredo is requesting bids for demolition work.
• The University of Texas System, Austin, is requesting qualifications for outside counsel.

New Mexico

• The U.S. Air Force, Holloman AFB, is requesting bids for cost per test analyzer.
• The U.S. Forest Service is requesting bids for 2012 CDT Trail Construction at Silver City Ranger District in the Gila National Forest.
• The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, is requesting bids for steel-framed building curtain wall.
• The city of Truth or Consequences is requesting bids for demolition of Youth Center Building.

Illinois

• St. Joseph-Ogden Consolidated High School District #305 is seeking specific proposals from interested Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) which are capable of providing comprehensive infrastructure and energy-related capital improvement services.
• The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking bids for the design and construction of a permanent pre-engineered salt storage building at the Pontiac traffic facility in Livingston County capable of storing 10,000 tons of salt and including lighting and a concrete structural wall. The designer will be responsible for analyzing existing salt storage facility manufacturers, providing a life-cycle cost analysis for each type and a recommendation for the preferred type of structure.
• The Illinois Community College Board is seeking bids to construct a 130,000-square-foot transportation, distribution and logistics center at Olive-Harvey Community College in Cook County, including classrooms with curriculum driven technology and space for automotive technology and training, collision repair, diesel engine technology, aviation mechanics, supply chain management, which includes large warehouse and distribution simulation labs, taxi and truck driver and forklift training, service vehicle and equipment area, faculty offices and general use space for students. It also includes site improvements including upgrading site utilities, subsoil testing and remediation and constructing approximately 800 parking spaces. Minimum LEED silver rating.

Kansas

• The Kansas Highway Patrol is seeking bids for construction of a driving range garage at an estimated cost of $500,000.

Wisconsin

• The Jackson Correctional Institute/Department of Corrections in Black River Falls is seeking bids for replacement of grease traps.
• The University of Wisconsin Madison campus is seeking bids for an all-season softball practice facility.
• The University of Wisconsin La Crosse campus is seeking bids for replacement and installation of five existing scoreboards (Stadium, Women's Soccer Field, Women's Softball Field, Men's Baseball Field and at the Mitchell Hall Natatorium) with new pre-purchased scoreboards.

Jason DeHaan (top left), Chicago's Chief Information Officer who has served in that position since November 2010 and worked his way up through the city ranks, including a stint as deputy CIO, has resigned his position. Dr. Mike Lewis (top center), secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for the last 18 months, has announced he will step down due to medical reasons. Susan Castillo (top right), superintendent of Oregon schools, has announced she will leave her post at the end of the month more than two years before her term ends to take a position with a national education nonprofit. Tim Connellan, superintendent of Bethany, Connecticut, schools and former director of student services in North Haven, is the frontrunner for the position of superintendent of the Oxford schools. Richard Rose, former D'Iberville city manager and currently serving as a consultant for the City of Diamondhead, Mississippi, has been named Diamondhead's new city manager. Massachusetts educator Debra Dunn, principal for the Weston Public Schools in Weston, Massachusetts, has been chosen by superintendent of the York School District, replacing Henry Scipione, who is retiring. Ellen Rosenblum (middle right), former state district judge, has been tapped by Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber to be the states next Attorney General, replacing John Kroger, who will step down later this month. Paul M. Walters (middle center), a member of the Santa Ana, California, Police Department since 1971, has been appointed by the City Council to serve as police commissioner and city manager. Peter Weiler (middle left), who has had oversight of the fundraising arm of the University of New Hampshire, has been named vice president for university relations at the University of Maryland and president of Maryland College Park Foundation. Dr. Linda Reviea, formerly deputy superintendent in the city Poquoson, Virginia, has been selected as the new superintendent of the Staunton schools, taking over for interim superintendent Ed Clymore. Chris Aulbaugh, a 26-year law enforcement officer and current commander in the Special Investigations Division for the Dallas Police Department, will be the police chief for the city of Kaufman, Texas. Richard Wainio, who has served as director of the Port of Tampa, one of the busiest in the nation, has announced he is leaving the job after more than seven years. Jose Aviles (bottom left), director of admissions at Millersville University in Pennsylvania and who has worked in similar positions at a number of mid-Atlantic region institutions, has been named director of admissions at the University of Delaware effective July 16. Capt. Silver Rodriguez (bottom center), a 32-year veteran of the Porterville Police Department, has been named the new police chief for the City of Sanger, California, leaving his post as captain of Special Services in Porterville. Michael Keefe (bottom right), a member of the San Mateo Fire Department since 1986 and current deputy fire chief, was named fire chief of the San Mateo-Foster City Fire Department, replacing the outgoing Dan Belville. Rajeev Bukralia, an administrator with Black Hills State University in South Dakota, has been appointed associate provost for information services at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and will also serve as Chief Information Officer. Jesus Antonio Lopez, a career banking professional who most recently was a senior relationship manager for Citibank, has been named CFO of the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency. Former Phoenix Assistant Fire Chief Bobby Ruiz, a 37-year veteran with the department who retired last December, has been selected as the new fire chief in Peoria, Arizona, replacing Thomas Solberg, who resigned.