What worries me most about P3s
On a daily basis, I receive calls from private sector executives asking why the contracting option of a public-private partnership is still such a mystery to public officials, legislators and taxpayers at large. The second question I get is this - "Why are P3s moving so slowly in the United States?"

I tell them all the same thing...public-private partnerships will be huge in the United States, but things are moving slowly at the moment. Here's why:

• P3 engagements are still a new concept in America. We don't have the history of Europe and Canada.   

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Will review all proposed agreements for transportation infrastructure projects

John Olver

Jessica Strunkin

Seven members were appointed this week to Massachusetts' Special Public-Private Partnership Infrastructure Commission, with some familiar faces as part of the group - including former Massachusetts Congressman John Olver, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board Member Alan Macdonald and 495/MetroWest Partnership Deputy Director Jessica Strunkin.

 

Alan Macdonald

 The commission is charged with reviewing and approving all public-private partnership transportation infrastructure requests for proposed design-build-operate-maintain contract services. All of the seven members of the commission are experts in transportation law, public policy, public finance, management consulting, transportation or organizational change. The remaining members of the commission include Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists President Joseph Dorant, Valmo Ventures Chair and CEO Valerie Mosley, Radcliffe Institute senior project advisor David Luberoff and Seagull Consulting principal and former Boston Transportation Commissioner John Vitigliano.

 

It took four years after legislation created the commission before members were appointed. RFPs for P3 agreements for design-build-finance-operate-maintain services must receive the commission's written approval before they can be issued by MassDOT. Their approval will be based on issues such as the proposed policies for overseeing a privately operated transportation facility; financial issues including taxation, profit-sharing, revenue producing ideas and the financial value of any state transportation facility involved; use of new technologies; and the anticipated advantages of entering into a public-private agreement for services.

 

Plans to end six-day mail delivery apparently nixed by lawmakers - for now

Mail carriers throughout the country recently protested efforts to end Saturday mail delivery by the U.S. Postal Service. And now it looks like - at least for the time being - they'll get what they wanted. However, the continuation of Saturday mail is more in line with legislative responsibility than a response to protests.

The USPS, facing a multi-billion-dollar deficit, in February floated a proposal to end Saturday mail delivery as early as August, anticipating that doing so would save $2 billion per year. But, Congress has said no and, for now, the weekend delivery will continue.

While some have argued that budget cuts warrant the end of Saturday mail delivery, others note that the USPS six-day delivery by law must continue. Last year, the mail delivery service lost $16 billion. Part of the budget solution was a proposal to continue services for packages and pharmaceutical drugs on Saturdays, but not for first-class mail, magazines and direct mail delivery.

How serious is the controversy? Hallmark - of the "When you care enough to send the very best" greeting card dynasty - has hired a lobbyist to let lawmakers know of its support for continued six-day mail delivery.

New state position aimed at compatibility, savings across agencies

Phil Williams

Alabama has a new position in state government, aimed at finding ways to save money and better coordinate information technology across state agencies. Gov. Robert Bentley has signed legislation creating the position of Secretary of Information Technology. The person holding that office will develop and implement a plan for coordinating purchasing, management and use of IT across state agencies.

"Continuing economic challenges have taught us to tighten our belts and look for efficiencies in government where possible," said Bentley after signing the legislation. He said he is confident this and other IT-related legislation will help save the state millions of dollars and help the state more efficiently and effectively serve constituents statewide.

Bentley, who will appoint the Secretary of Information Technology in the near future, said the new employee will not only be responsible for organizing the state's IT to become more efficient, but will also ensure more IT security.

"As state operations become more and more dependent upon technology, it's imperative that we have someone to hold accountable for making sure we're operating in the most efficient and responsible manner," said Senator Phil Williams, who sponsored the legislation.

The new Secretary will take over an IT system that suffers from incompatibility across state agencies. He or she will be charged with changing that and using the benefits of buying in bulk across state agencies to ensure cost savings.

Fred Bolden

Improvements spanning three to four years at the Solon (Ohio) City Schools are in the near future. Among the projects is installation of a new football field and capital improvements to some buildings in the district. Exterior masonry work and door and window replacement are planned for an elementary school. Fred Bolden, director of personnel and transportation, said the window and door replacements have been postponed for security reasons. A national school security expert is advising the district what materials will best meet the district's security needs. A second elementary school is due improvements that include work on the exterior of the building. The school's football turf will be replaced. Bolden said the surface of the field is splitting and has broken down from weather and long-term use. The new turf will use new technology that will mean longer wear than the current field. Other plans call for replacing stadium lighting and resurfacing of the track.

The Central High School in Springfield, Massachusetts, is preparing for a $32 million science lab construction project this summer. The project, recently approved by the City Council, is expected to be completed within two years. The Council vote followed the Massachusetts School Building Authority agreeing to reimburse up to $25.6 million of the cost of the project. That accounts for 80 percent of the project costs. Included in the project is construction of a new three-story science wing that will include a dozen new laboratories and preparation rooms. Existing labs will be renovated at the high school and a sprinkler system. In November, the authority voted to approve up to $5.2 million in reimbursement to assist Holyoke with a project to construct six science labs at the William J. Dean Vocational Technical High School. The authority launched the science lab program in 2011, setting aside $60 million to assist schools with providing a "top-notch 21st century science curriculum," said Steven Grossman, state treasurer and chairman of the authority. The city will hire a construction manager to build the science wing and hire subcontractors.

Brad Draeger

Voters in Livingston, New Jersey, recently approved an $18.2 million school construction project that will add new classrooms and media centers. Dr. Brad Draeger, superintendent of the Livingston Public Schools, praised residents of the city for their support of the schools saying, "they made a long-term commitment to their excellence by the passage of this referendum." The project includes adding 14 new elementary classrooms, three media centers and bringing the older part of the Livingston High School up to Americans With Disabilities Act compliance. Five elementary school buildings will have classrooms added and three media centers will be built at Collins, Riker Hill and Harrison schools. Space also will be developed to house new in-district special education programs that will be developed. Construction is expected to get under way early next year.

Officials in the Farmington, New Mexico, School District are seeking $12 million in state funding to help remodel two schools. The Board of Education approved applying for $11.8 million to help pay for repairs on Hermosa Middle School and Northeast Elementary. Both of the schools have been ranked among the state's schools most needing repairs. If funding is approved, Northeast would undergo a general remodel of the older parts of the building. There would be electrical upgrades as well. If the state funding is approved, the state would pay $11.8 million, nearly 60 percent of the project. The school district would pay the remaining 41 percent, or $8.2 million.

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Hoboken in line for park renovations throughout town

The Hoboken, New Jersey, City Council recently approved a $1.2 million bond that will provide for park renovations throughout the town. Phase two of renovations at Legion Park, Stevens Park playground and dog run and Weehawken Cove are planned along with Church Square Park, which will include a slide in the toddler area, renovation of the dog run, the spray area, benches and lawn restoration.

Atlanta approves issuance of bonds for football stadium project

The proposed new stadium to become home to the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons took another step forward recently when the Atlanta City Council approved issuing bonds for a new retractable roof facility. The Atlanta Falcons football team has agreed to pay for all but $200 million of the nearly $500 million costs of construction. The city will use revenue from its hotel-motel tax receipts to pay its $200 million toward the cost. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority board approved the project last week and a vote by Invest Atlanta, the city's economic development agency which will issue the bonds, is considered a formality. 

Alamogordo desalination plant to benefit from $2.6 million funding

Susie Galea

Alamogordo's desalination plant project got a $2.6 million boost from the New Mexico Finance Authority, with the plant being built to help offset upcoming water shortage predictions.  Mayor Susie Galea said the project includes a temporary desalination facility that will eventually be moved to a permanent location on the west side of the city. The temporary site, to be built at the city's water treatment plant in La Luz, will be a trailer-mounted reverse osmosis unit. It will have a temporary evaporation pond, 2,000 feet of pipeline and the equipping of three wells. The city plans to build a permanent site on Lavelle Road, across the street from a federally operated brackish water research facility. "The desalination plant will cost about $20 million," Galea said, adding that the city is working with members of Congress to try to secure a grant similar to the one El Paso received toward its $90 million plant.  Once operational, the Alamogordo plant would take in brackish water from well fields north of Tulosa. The salt would be removed and the water would then be available for use by the city. The city was recently granted permission by the Bureau of Land Management to build up to 10 brackish wells at Snake Tank Road, build a water transmission line to Alamogordo, build a desalination plant in the city and install a booster pump to deliver water into the city's supply. The pipeline that will be used at the permanent site is already being installed. 

 

Army issues Request for Proposal for armored multi-purpose vehicle

The U.S. Army's Michigan Tank-Automotive Command has issued a draft RFP that could lead to replacement of its M11 armored transport. The RFP seeks proposals for a new armored multi-purpose vehicle. The final RFP will likely be issued in June, with a contract awarded in 2014. Leading contenders are variation of the General Dynamics Stryker and the BAE Bradley. The contract will be for almost $1.5 billion for more than 300 vehicles. A $1.46 billion contract is proposed in two phases - design, develop and build 29 prototypes over four years as part of the first phase for $388 million engineering and manufacturing development, and then the buildup to 289 production models over three years, the $1.08 billion initial production phase from 2018 to 2020. After 2020, the Army plans to purchase another 2,618 AMPVs over 10 years, at an average manufacturing cost of no more than $1.8 million per vehicle. 

 

Free listings offered for RFPs to public sector entities, nonprofits

Check out these recent awards: 

Texas

• Leander Independent School District is requesting proposals from qualified bidders for exterior sealant work at various campuses.
• Texas State Technical College System is soliciting proposals from qualified executive search firms to recommend highly qualified candidates for the position of Vice Chancellor for Institutional Development.

Kansas

• The Secretary of Transportation of the State of Kansas is seeking proposals from prequalified contractors for construction, improvement, reconstruction or maintenance work in the State of Kansas, for bridge approach replacement on US36, KA 3139-01, K 3140-01 and US73, KA 3141-04 at US36 junction east of US159 junction in Brown and Nemaha counties.
• The Secretary of Transportation of the State of Kansas is seeking proposals from prequalified contractors for construction, improvement, reconstruction or maintenance work in the State of Kansas for storm sewer repair on I70, 1,750 feet east of 18th Street in Wyandotte County.

Illinois

• Effingham County is seeking bids for upgrades to the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems at the Effingham Armory.
• Clark County is seeking bids for development of boat access at Lincoln Trail State Park.

New Mexico

• The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking proposals to establish a contract or price agreement through competitive negotiations for the purchase of physical, online and private auctioneer services, for the public sale of property owned by or under legal control of DPS or by other state agencies or local government agencies.
• The New Mexico Department of Transportation is seeking bids from qualified firms for professional services for NM209 bridge replacement in Curry County.

South Carolina

• Florence Darlington Technical College is seeking bids for Web portal design.
• The State of South Carolina, Information Technology Management Office (ITMO), is seeking bids for a statewide term contract for Hewlett Packard (HP) network equipment and services.

 Are you a government official who has moved into a new position or to a new agency? Did you recently retire? Were you recently named to an executive-level position at a state-supported college, university or community college? Have you secured a new job as superintendent of a public school? If so, we'd like to hear from you - and so would your friends and colleagues - for our "Where Are They Now" column. Just drop us a line at editor@spartnerships.com and let us know about your previous job and where you are now. This week we feature Lea Deesing.

Lea Deesing

Lea Deesing holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems degree summa cum laude from the University of the Redlands and a Master's in Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She began her professional career in the private sector at Esri as a PC technician in 1989. She held a number of other posts with Esri from then until 1997, including database programmer, Novell and NT network administrator and PC network supervisor. Her career then moved to the public sector, where she spent from 1997 to 2001 as network administrator/program manager for the city of Moreno Valley, California. Deesing next served from 2007 to 2011 as information systems division manager for the city of Fontana. Her next move was to San Bernardino, where she was director of information technology for nearly two years, managing a staff of 20 and providing IT services throughout the city to more than 1,200 employees. In October 2012, the longtime technology expert was named Associate Vice Chancellor, Information Services for the Riverside Community College District. She served in that capacity until recently, when she was tapped to become the city of Riverside's chief innovation officer. She will start her new job on April 8, replacing the city's longtime Chief Innovation Officer Steve Reneker, who announced his departure about four months ago. In her new role, Deesing will be responsible for the city's strategic use of technology. She will manage the Innovation and Technology Department and work closely with city departments to improve processes and enhance citizen services.

 

Illinois Governor Quinn unveils road and bridge projects

Park system in disarray and disrepair, report says 

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

William W. Dodge, D.D.S. (top left), will become dean of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School, effective April 1, replacing Kenneth L. Kalkwart, D.D.S., who has served in that position for 24 years and is retiring. Former State Sen. Joe Simitian (top center) has been sworn in as Santa Clara County supervisor after giving up his Senate seat of eight years to seek the supervisor post, where he will replace former Supervisor Liz Kniss. Otis Henry (top right), who began his career with the Sherman, Texas, Police Department as a reserve officer in 1983 and was named assistant chief in 2005, has been confirmed as the city's new police chief. Four Corners Economic Development in New Mexico has named Ray Hagerman, former vice president for the Dayton, Ohio, Development Coalition, as its first chief executive officer, effective April 1. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, whose term was set to expire in June, has announced that he will step down after having served for the last four years. Laredo's United Independent School District Police Chief Ray Garner has been selected as the new police chief for the city of Laredo, bringing to the job a law enforcement career that dates to 1972 when he worked for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Missouri Department of Transportation Director Kevin Keith (middle right), who was named director in November 2010 and who was an MoDOT chief engineer at the time, has stepped down for an undisclosed medical reason and will retire effective July 1, with Chief Engineer Dave Nichols to take over as interim director. Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, has chosen Dr. Barbara Kavalier (middle center), president of San Jose City College in California, as the lone finalist for president, replacing Dr. Richard Sanchez, who is retiring in August. David A. Bergeron (middle left), the U.S. Education Secretary's chief adviser on higher-education issues, is leaving the department after more than 30 years, to join the Center for American Progress, where he will be in charge of postsecondary-policy development. Middlesex, Massachusetts, District Attorney Gerard T. Leone plans to resign his prosecutor's role next month to take a job with the Boston law firm Nixon Peabody. Trevor Thomas, who served as the assistant to Superintendent Tom Forman during the 2012-13 school year, has been appointed the new superintendent of Heath (Ohio) City Schools, effective July 1. Bill Keefer, longtime city manager in Augusta, Kansas, has announced he will leave the city after more than 16 years to become city manager in Grove, Oklahoma. The Lufkin, Texas, school board has named LaTonya M. Goffney (bottom left), superintendent of Coldspring-Oakhurst ISD since 2008, as the lone finalist for the top Lufkin job. Suzanne Miles (bottom center) has resigned as interim chancellor of Pima Community College in Arizona, and has withdrawn her name from consideration for president of Mt. Hood Community College, where she was recently named finalist for that post. Cedric Scott (bottom right), current assistant fire chief of logistics for Savannah (Georgia) Fire and Emergency Services, will take over as fire chief in Suffolk, Virginia, on April 2. Jerry Woods, a scholastic auditor for the State of Arkansas and former superintendent at school districts in Tennessee and Arkansas, is the new superintendent of the Okolona (Mississippi) School District. Mark Weatherford, a Homeland Security Department top cyber official, will leave his post for the private sector this spring, when he will become a principal for the Chertoff Group, the consulting firm headed by former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. Mohawk Valley Community College has appointed Thomas Squires, who has worked as Cayuga County administrator for the last three years, as the college's vice president for administrative services.