The White House this week acknowledged an attempt to infiltrate its computer systems. Last year, Google fought off computer hackers attempting to steal high-tech data. Cybersecurity is one of the country's greatest threats. And while the danger to public sector critical networks is obvious, it is just as real for private sector firms.

American citizens have no tolerance for cyberattacks. There is universal rage when hackers are successful in any attempt to access vital data or disrupt operations of any type. Yet, there seems to be no consensus on how to fix the problem.

Maybe you didn't notice it, but the new Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) federal transportation bill went into effect on Monday.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the new bill consolidated many U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) programs and "really changed the transportation status quo." 

LaHood said he would like to have seen Congress pass a more "traditional" bill that covered perhaps five years instead of the two years that were agreed upon. But, he said, the bill passed was a good bill that "gives some certainty" to the states, to the governors and to state departments of transportation so they will know what money is to be available and what programs are going to be available "at least for the next two construction seasons." LaHood also said he will not be surprised if when the new Congress returns in January, it could very well begin working on a five-year bill.

Ray LaHood

The $105 billion transportation bill marks the first full-scale transportation bill passed since 2005. Since that time, stop-gap measures have been approved to the long-existing bill. The two-year bill allows state transportation executives to make long-range plans. MAP-21 extends the imposition of the highway-user taxes, generally at the rates that were in place when the legislation was enacted, through September 30, 2016.

It also extends provisions for full or partial exemption from highway-user taxes. In addition, it extends provision for deposit of almost all of the highway-user taxes into the Highway Trust Fund through September 30, 2016. It also continues the Surface Transportation Program, providing an annual average of $10 billion in flexible funding that may be used by states and localities for projects to preserve or improve conditions and performance on any federal-aid highway, bridge projects on any public road, facilities for nonmotorized transportation, transit capital projects and public bus terminals and facilities.

As a result of the new law, changes have been approved for the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan program, the National Highway Performance Program, the Surface Transportation Program and the Highway Safety Improvement Program. Increased TIFIA program funding is now available and the loans to be used for almost half the construction of new transportation projects.

LaHood has previously said the biggest infrastructure problem facing the United States is "our aging infrastructure" and bringing that infrastructure into a "state of good repair."

The Transportation Secretary said most state and local governments have an aging transit system built 50 to 60 to 70 years ago and many need new cars, new tracks and new infrastructure. While the country's interstate system is pretty much built, said LaHood, there is a "laundry list of bridges that need to be fixed, need to be repaired and need to be made safer."

LaHood said USDOT is providing documents to "clarify MAP-21's innovative project delivery methods and important changes to funding programs."

State will seek funding from federal government to help defray construction costs

Andrew Cuomo

Construction of a new Tappan Zee Bridge in New York has moved a step closer to reality after the federal government recently signed off on the environmental review for the construction plan. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the sign-off included a "record of decision," reviews by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. All three said the plan meets requirements of the national Environmental Quality Act.

The state now will choose a contractor from three bidders. That process could be completed by early next year. The state also will be awaiting a decision by the federal government as to whether it will approve a loan for the project and how much the loan will be. The cost estimate for the project is $5.2 billion.

Early talks indicated that tolls for using the new bridge could be as high as $14. But Cuomo said a solid estimate on the costs and how much the federal government will put toward those costs must be firmed up before the state can address ways to bring down that $14 toll figure that would be used to pay off the costs of the project.

Abandoned water treatment plants may be repurposed for aquaculture farms

Steve Mims

Got a used, outdated wastewater treatment plant? A Kentucky State University researcher says don't demolish it. He instead encourages government owners of the plants being replaced by bigger and better ones to repurpose the old plants - into working aquaculture farms. KSU researcher Steve Mims and his colleagues recently were awarded a nearly $600,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to determine if outdated and no longer used wastewater treatment plants can become profitable fish farms.

Mims is confident those aging plants can be repurposed and generate $250,000 per year while providing jobs. He notes that is more profitable for cities than spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to demolish the unused facilities. Mims said once these plants are left behind, "We need infrastructure - like electric - that are already there to grow fish."

The grant funds will allow KSU researchers to study for three years the possibility of turning these old plants into aquaculture farms. They will help the private sector firm that is currently leasing the Winchester Municipal Utilities property to determine "best practices" that can be used for other facilities. "It's a true partnership with city municipality, a private company and a university," Mims said. Public-private partnerships are expected to result from the repurposing, with young fingerling fish to be sold to local farmers for their own ponds. 

New Jersey investing $500 million in school facilities statewide

Marc Larkins

New Jersey is investing more than $500 million in school facilities throughout the state. The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) recently announced the funding, which will be used to construct cost-effective school facilities in modern, efficient learning environments, according to Gov. Chris Christie. As a result, construction on the George L. Catrambone Elementary School in Long Branch has entered into the construction phase and the SDA has also advanced construction activities on seven of nine other projects that were in the 2011 portfolio of projects to be constructed. "This is a great day for the Long Branch Community and further demonstrates the advancement of school construction projects throughout the state in a manner that will provide the students with the facilities they need, while maintaining accountability for the most prudent use of state resources," said SDA CEO Marc Larkins. The $27.5 million Catrambone school is a 109,000-square-foot, two-story school. The SDA's current portfolio of active projects is valued at over $2 billion - including the 2011 and 2012 Capital Project portfolios (more than $1 billion), including $86 million in additional projects in construction, $43 million in emergent projects and $743 million in Regular Operating District grants.

Alamogordo lists mostly water projects as part of capital improvement plan

Water-related projects are high on the list for the city of Alamogordo, New Mexico, as part of an Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan. City officials will provide the proposals to their representatives for the upcoming legislative session in Santa Fe. The plan serves as a roadmap for legislators as they designate funding for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 during the session. Among the high-priority projects on the list is Bonito Lake, a city-owned reservoir damaged by wildfire and summer rain runoff. In fact, four of the five capital projects for improvements recommended by the city are water-related. The city also is seeking funds for a proposed desalination plant and wastewater treatment plant and reclaimed water distribution. The other priority project is one related to Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. The Bonito Lake project is seeking about $5.6 million in fiscal year 2014 for watershed restoration and remediation. Having already spent $15 million on water rights for a desalination project, the city now seeks an additional $15 million to accelerate the project that calls for building a temporary facility at an existing city water treatment plant. Upgrades to the city's wastewater treatment plant will cost approximately $22 million over nine years, but only $3.2 million is sought for FY 2014. The city is also seeking $160,000 to upgrade its storage capacity for reclaimed water. The ADA compliance project would cost $2.6 million over five years and addresses some city streets and sidewalks that are not ADA compliant.

Grant funds awarded to five states, D.C. for health exchange setups

Another round of health exchange establishment grants have been awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with five states and the District of Columbia named as recipients. Level I establishment grants to continue development of online insurance marketplaces went to Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Minnesota while D.C. earned a Level II grant. The Level II grant is a multi-year award for states that have moved further along in the process. Other Level II awards went to Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. To date, 34 states have been awarded funding totaling more than $1 billion in federal funds to build their exchanges. Exchange plans must be submitted by the states to HHS for approval by Nov. 16, as the exchanged can begin enrollment on Oct. 1, 2013. For states opting not to establish their own exchange, HHS will do it for them.

 

Denver International Airport to issue bonds for maintenance, redevelopment

Patrick Heck

The Denver International Airport (DIA) is prepared to issue up to $1.35 billion in bonds to be used for construction of the South Terminal redevelopment program and major maintenance on the facility. DIA officials say as much as $500 million could be spent over the next six years on the project. Plans call for the addition of a new Westin hotel and a light-rail station."There are over 100 projects that total up to $562 million that we have to fund over the next six years in order to keep the airport operating," said Patrick Heck, Denver International Airport's chief financial officer. The hotel project is expected to generate $2 million annually. Excavation work is planned for next month, followed by foundation work beginning in early November. The station is expected to be completed by January 2014 and the entire project by 2015. Bond revenue also will be used for a variety of repairs at the airport. Maintenance alone is expected to cost $560 million over the next six years. That includes $216 million for airfield upkeep, $81 million for terminal complex maintenance and $75 million for other repairs, including a $26 million upgrade of the airport fire alarm system. Some of the funding for the projects is expected to come from an anticipated $66 million in federal grants. 

  

Farmington lists $35 million in projects for which it seeks funding

Roads, firefighting, waterlines, the Civic Center and the Animas River Trail top the list of the Farmington, New Mexico, capital improvement plan. Repairing and expanding the civic center is on the minds of some City Councilors, as is the expansion of the senior center. The city's Metropolitan Redevelopment Area plan proposes construction of a new civic center in the future. An expansion would include expanding the stage area and adding new exhibit halls. With $1 million in renovations under way on the exhibit halls, some officials support a full renovation of the center. Other projects on the radar for city officials are a river trail and walking bridges project to connect east and west Farmington, which they say could be a marketing tool. The five projects approved include Pinon Hills Boulevard bridge and extension, Fire Station 7, waterline improvements, Civic Center expansion and the river trail and walking bridges, carrying a total price tag of $35 million.

 

Water-intake facility project garners another $16.7 million in federal funding

Bill Marble

Two government entities in Yolo County, California, have been awarded $16.7 million by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to be used to help defray the construction costs of a $39 million joint water intake facility on the Sacramento River. The funding was awarded to the Woodland-David Clean Water Agency and Reclamation District 2035. The funds will help keep cost of services to users low. The agencies plan to use $8.3 million of the total for construction in 2013. The remainder of the funding will be delivered as the project continues. The current funding award is in addition to $1.2 million previously awarded for the project. The new facility will replace the current facility and will be used for both agricultural and city uses. Woodland City Council member Bill Marble said the facility is an "exemplary model of a true public-private partnership" that will allow for economies of scale that will eventually reduce the long-term cost of water for all users. The intake facility is part of the water agency's $245 million regional water supply project that is aimed at delivering surface water to Woodland and eventually perhaps to Davis and UC Davis. The objective for the project is to improve water supply reliability, drinking water quality and wastewater discharge.

 

New Mexico Sunport awarded third grant to be used for solar project

A third federal grant is headed to Albuquerque's Sunport and will be used to expand its solar efforts. A $3.3 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration will be used to install more photovoltaic solar arrays and canopies over a long-term parking lot at the facility. When completed, Sunport will boast enough solar arrays to produce close to two megawatts of power. That is enough to save the city close to $400,000 in power costs per year. The facility already has 11 solar arrays that were made possible with $4.2 million in other grant funds.

 

 

Check out these recent awards: 

Developer chosen for P3 for expansion of Grand Parkway in Texas

Jeff Moseley

Zachry-Odebrecht Parkway Builders will design, develop and construct the next phase of the 184-mile Grand Parkway expansion, or SH 99. The beltway traverses the seven-county Houston metropolitan area, so motorists will have another option for traveling around the city. The project, developed through a public-private partnership authorized by the Texas Legislature, allows the private sector to design and construct a project and in some cases operate and maintain a project, while the state retains ownership of the road. "The innovative financial approach used here will make this project a reality much sooner," said Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Moseley. Moseley said the new roadway will increase mobility for motorists in the Houston metro area. Zachry-Odebrecht Parkway Builders will develop approximately 37 miles of new toll road for three segments of Grand Parkway in Harris and Montgomery counties. Once finished, the roadway will provide a third loop around the Houston metro area. Ground is expected to be broken on the $1.04 billion project in early 2013. Completion is slated for 2015.

 

Kentucky business leaders urge legislators to approve public-private partnerships

Business leaders in northern Kentucky are urging lawmakers in the state to approve the use of private funding to help pay for the $2.5 billion Brent Spence Bridge project. Business leaders say the use of private funds could cut the time for completion of the bridge by five years and save the state $500 million. They are seeking legislation similar to the law in Ohio that allows public-private partnerships to fund such projects. While the thought of tolls to help repay the costs of the bridge are not popular, leaders noted there are other ways for a private sector partner to recoup its investment - such as from motor vehicle registration fees or fuel tax increases. Officials noted that the federal government is not likely to come in with the funding necessary for the bridge project, and after the recession in 2009, 15 states have passed public-private partnership legislation. Private investors provide financing for construction and maintenance of the project. Proponents of P3s say using a public-private partnership could see the project completion date moved back from 2023 to 2018. They also said every month's wait on the project increases costs about $8 million. 

 

Colorado P3 results in new app for communicating with travelers throughout state

Don Hunt

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Hub Companies LLC have entered into a five-year public-private partnership to produce a new smartphone app to expand CDOT's critical traveler-related highway data. Officials are hopeful the app will help ease ski traffic by providing better communication with travelers. The new app will feature information on highway conditions and traffic information so motorists can make informed decisions on the best mode of travel and travel routes that will result in a safe and efficient transportation system. The app will provide speeds and travel times for motorists, road conditions, road closures and other traffic-related incidents, along with information on construction and maintenance projects. "CDOT has worked hard to deploy current technological developments where it makes the most sense," said CDOT director Don Hunt. "A dmartphone application that benefits more than 5 million Colorado residents and the 52 million guests we host annually is the next best step as part of our continuing program to improve and diversify our communications efforts." Officials are calling the new app simple but innovative. The development of the app was at no cost to Colorado taxpayers. CDOT Mobile will pay for its development and administration and maintenance through sale of advertising and sponsorship on the app and other ancillary projects such as an interactive voice response system. CDOT Mobile initially will serve the I-70 corridor between Denver and Vail. The next phase of the app will focus on the I-25 corridor and phase three will address other highways throughout the state.
 

Pennsylvania bill signed authorizing P3s for transportation projects

Gov. Tom Corbett recently signed legislation that authorizes public-private partnerships for transportation projects in the state. Now PennDOT and other transportation authorities and commissions can partner with private firms to finance, construct and maintain transportation projects in the commonwealth. The legislation provides for a seven-member Public Private Transportation Partnership Board that will be charged with studying and approving potential P3 projects. It would determine if private operation could be more cost effective than state operation, and if so the private firm could be authorized to take over part or all of the project. 
 

Consortium of private developers seeks to develop passenger rail line in Texas

A $1.8 billion, 62-mile regional passenger rail line between Fort Worth and Plano could be undertaken by a private development consortium. A group recently alerted the Regional Transportation Council of the North Texas Council of Governments that it is interested in developing the Cotton Belt line that runs between southwestern Fort Worth, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Plano. Officials predict that using a P3 agreement to develop the line could cut 30 years off the expected completion date. The line could include up to 24 train stations and other transit-related development projects that would spur regional economic development. Officials declined to name the developer who submitted a letter of interest regarding the project. The Council of Governments has been looking for innovative financing options for the project. The private consortium must now submit a development proposal for evaluation by the Council of Governments and Dallas and Fort Worth transit authorities. That would then lead to requests for competing proposals.

 

Pennsylvania entertaining proposals for public-private partnerships

Thanks to a law allowing public-private partnerships on transportation projects in Pennsylvania, numerous private firms have reportedly brought forward suggestions and ideas for P3 projects, including widening of the traffic-heavy Parkway East. Rep. Rick Geist, sponsor of the legislation, said he has had private firms approach him regarding a major project involving coal, shale gas and railroad improvements, but said confidentiality agreements prevent him from elaborating. Geist said there are more than a dozen major projects in the state that are prime possibilities for private investment. Under the new law, proposals for public-private partnerships would be sent to a seven-member board for recommendations, which could be overridden by the legislature.

 

Editorial: A new path for UAlbany

LePage pulls out of National Governors Association 

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

Illinois

• Henry County, Illinois, is seeking bids for replacing the roofing system on the Bishop Hill Historic Site.
• The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking bids for chiller replacement and HVAC system upgrades for its District #3 headquarters in Ottawa, LaSalle County.

Kansas

• Pittsburg State University is seeking bids for its estimated $26.5 million Fine and Performing Arts Center.
• Fort Hays State University is seeking bids for pest and termite control services.
• Kansas State University is seeking bids for an on-call contract for consultant for executive search services.

Nevada

• The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles is seeking bids for printing of Class C Drivers Handbooks as a one-time purchase.
• The Nevada Department of Wildlife is seeking bids for a one-time purchase of a Solaer Lake Bed Aeration System, to be delivered FOB Destination to Overton, Nevada.
• The Nevada Department of Transportation is seeking bids for pricing for a one-year, open-term contract for waterborne traffic paint.

Virginia

• Frederick County, Virginia, Department of Public Works is seeking bids for architectural and engineering services for the planning and design of a fire and rescue station and related social hall.
• The Cumberland Plateau Regional Housing Authority has issued an RFP for management services. The authority services the housing needs of Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties.

New Mexico

• The New Mexico Corrections Department, Corrections Industries Division, is seeking bids for the installation, maintenance and operation of an ongoing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System and vocational training and utilization program for inmates in conjunction with the on-site solar PV system at Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility in Las Cruces.
• The New Mexico Department of Public Safety Motor Transportation Police Division is seeking bids from qualified firms with at least two active similar installations in other states for the acquisition, deployment, testing and subsequent support of a commercial vehicle oversize/overweight permitting and routing system.

Dr. Cynthia Pemberton (top left), who has served Idaho State University as interim dean of the graduate school, associate faculty member of the women's studies program, chair of the educational leadership department and professor of educational leadership, has been selected as provost/vice president for academic affairs at Dickinson State University. Thomas Russell (top center), previous chief attorney for the Port of Los Angeles, has been named chief attorney for the San Diego Unified Port District, succeeding Duane Bennett, who retired. Nampa, Idaho, school district Superintendent Gary Larsen (top right) has resigned after it was revealed that budget miscalculations had resulted in a budget shortfall. Peter Rogers, a former Citigroup and Diners Club International executive for more than two decades, has been chosen as the next chief financial officer for the Chicago Public Schools. Nikolai Vitti, a Miami bureaucrat who has never been a school superintendent and in 10 years went from classroom teacher to school principal, administrator in Miami/Dade Schools and the Florida Department of Education, has been chosen as superintendent of the Jacksonville, Florida, schools. Mitch Burgin, assistant fire chief for the Lincolnton, North Carolina, Fire Department the last four years and a 28-year veteran firefighter, has been appointed city fire chief, replacing outgoing Chief Mike Lee. Betsey Bayless (middle right), chief executive of Maricopa (Arizona) County's public health care system for the last seven years and a former secretary of state and county supervisor, has announced that she will leave her position in 2013. James W. Payne (middle center), Indiana Department of Child Services Director, has resigned in the wake of an investigation regarding his alleged role in a reported child neglect case involving a family member, and the agency's Chief of Staff John Ryan was named to succeed him. Lt. Sean Ford (middle left), a law enforcement officer since 1990, has been appointed as the chief of police of Sunset Valley, Texas. Lou Anne Bynum, who has served Long Beach City College as the vice president of economic and resource development for 12 years and will continue to lead that department, has been chosen as the college's new executive vice president. Tom Hedges, city administrator for Eagan, Minnesota, the city's first and only city administrator who has served the city for 36 years, has announced his retirement for early 2013. The town of Taos has hired Kenneth Koch, an Arizona native with 23 years of experience at the Flagstaff Police Department, as its new police chief, replacing Rick  Anglada, who resigned. Karen Lynch (bottom left) who has been serving in a student services role with Prince George's County, Maryland, schools, has been chosen to lead the newly created Office of Student Services for the Philadelphia schools. Former Springfield, Massachusetts, middle school principal Lydia E. Martinez (bottom center) has been named assistant superintendent of schools, succeeding Daniel J. Warwick, who has been hired as superintendent. Charlotte, North Carolina, City Manager Curt Walton (bottom right), who was hired in 2007 to replace the retiring Pam Syfert, has announced he will retire in December, ending five years at the helm of the city. After 16 years, Bunker Hill (Massachusetts) Community College President Mary L. Fifield has announced she will retire from her post on June 30, 2013. The Utah Senate on Wednesday confirmed longtime state worker Salvador Petilos as head of the state's liquor-control agency, although some members were concerned he has no retail, warehousing or shipping experience. Chris Thompson, president and CEO of Florida's public-private tourism agency, VISIT FLORIDA, since 1997, is leaving to head a similar national organization known as Brand USA.