| Volume 5, Issue 43 | February 19, 2014 |
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Drone technology advancing quickly!
 Unmanned aerial vehicles, also called drones, are becoming more common in spite of the fact that they are highly controversial. The topic of drones falls squarely into the "Hot Topics" category in the United States.
A drone is an aircraft either controlled from the ground or from a computer that has been pre-programmed. One type of drone is used for reconnaissance and surveillance and other types are armed with missiles and/or bombs.
The drone industry is quickly developing into big business and some statistics suggest we may be on the cusp of a worldwide drone boom.
   
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Five teams submit qualifications for bridge projects | |
PennDOT to review teams, award single contract for 500 structures
 Five private-sector teams have submitted statements of qualifications for a project that would ensure the replacement of some 500 similarly designed bridges in Pennsylvania. The responses went to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and when a contract is extended, at least 500 bridges would be replaced under one contract. Because they will use the same basic design and construction, a cost savings is expected.
"We will now be able to complete at least 500 bridges, far more than would have been possible without the transportation plan," PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch (pictured) said. "I'm pleased to see that private industry is coming forward to partner with us on this effort to keep our bridges open and safe."
Once the qualifications are evaluated, the highest scoring teams will be asked to submit proposals in the spring. PennDOT will then pick a contractor from the best offers. Construction could begin in 2015. The team winning the contract will be responsible for design, construction and maintenance of the bridges under one contract. The maintenance will be for a yet-undetermined period of time. PennDOT will continue to own the bridges. Although the private partner will finance the construction, PennDOT will make performance-based payments as milestones are reached.
The teams submitting statements of qualifications include:
- Pennsylvania Crossings: Meridiam, Lane Construction, AECOM, Trumbull, Wagman Companies and Cofiroute;
- Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners: Plenary Group, The Walsh Group, Granite Construction Company, HDR Engineering, HNTB Corporation and Infrastructure Corporation of America;
- Commonwealth Bridge Partners: John Laing Investments, Fluor, American Bridge Company, Traylor Bros. Inc., Joseph B. Fay Co., STV Incorporated and Infrastructure and Industrial Constructors;
- Keystone Bridge Partners: InfraRed Capital Partners, Kiewit, Parsons, The Allan A. Myers family of companies, DBi and American Infrastructure; and
- Keystone Bridge Builders: Macquarie, PCL, Conti Enterprises and Stantec Consulting Services.
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| Upcoming education opportunities | |
University of Kentucky may add dining services to its P3 engagements
 Already engaged in a public-private partnership with a private developer to build nearly $350 million worth of dorms on campus, the University of Kentucky (UK) now plans to privatize its dining services, according to UK President Eli Capilouto (pictured). Capilouto said the university has both a good dining operation and "exemplary staff," but is looking for a partner who can invest millions of dollars in dining facilities throughout the campus, offer hours more convenient for students and expand food options to include healthier choices. And, the P3 to build the new dorms does not include food service, so a separate partnership is being sought for that service. UK officials say any agreement on food services will require continued employment of current dining service employees, continued employment of student workers, continued partnerships with other existing campus food outlets, a commitment from the private partner to meet goals of buying locally produced food and using the Kentucky Proud program and making the agreement document public. Last November, the university put out an exploratory request for proposals (RFP) that required private partners to ensure $25 million to $50 million to build new dining facilities to match the residence halls being built. That requirement is still part of the proposed partnership. Several companies responded to the RFP at the time. Capilouto will review and approve any final proposed agreement. If any significant changes to facilities or additional facilities are sought, they would have to be approved by the UK Board of Trustees.
North Dakota school district seeking bids for new HVAC systems
New heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are set for installation in two elementary schools in the Fargo, North Dakota, School District. Faulty HVAC systems last year caused students to have to attend classes in rooms that were insufferably hot. Officials hope to avoid that scenario happening again with new HVAC systems. Two such systems will soon be installed at two elementary schools, but contracts have not been awarded yet for HVAC systems at four other schools. Bids for a new HVAC system at a third school will be opened soon, with others to follow.
University of Wisconsin students to vote on fee hike to fund facility
 Students of the University of Wisconsin-Madison will vote next month on a fee hike that would be used to help pay for new recreational sports facilities. Students on campus currently pay $37 per semester, and that amount would increase to $145 per semester to help pay for renovations and expansions to the aging sports fields, gyms, pools and tracks currently used on campus by students. The project is expected to cost $223 million. Although the increase in fees seems high, university officials point out that they are in line with other Big Ten schools. They are part of the overall $565 per semester paid by students for fees for both recreational facility use, dining halls, dorms and student activities. The new fees, however, would not begin until the facilities are completed, so today's students would not pay it. If approved, the student fees would pay for approximately 57 percent of the $223 million in costs. The remainder of the funds would come from donors ($56 million), state funds ($30 million) and from the athletic department ($7 million). Among the proposed projects are upgrades to the Near West field, which includes five flag football fields; renovation of the Southeast Recreation Facility to expand to include nine basketball courts, nine multi-purpose workout rooms, three times the space for weights and cardiovascular workouts, a track and six courts for racquetball or squash; and rebuilding the natatorium (as seen in accompanying artist's rendering) to include 12 basketball courts, seven times the weights and cardiovascular workout space, six multi-purpose rooms, a track and six court for squash and racquetball and an eight-lane pool; and upgrading the Near East Fields to include five soccer fields.
Illinois school district to issue $10M in bonds for maintenance projects
The Community Unit School District 200 in Wheaton, Illinois, is expected to issue $10 million in bonds at the end of February for critical maintenance projects. School officials say the improvements are needed because of the age of the buildings. The school board also identified another $80 million in projects that need to be taken care of in future years. "Because our buildings are old and ongoing, by issuing bonds, to my mind, it allows the cost of that building maintenance to be spread across the people who will use those buildings in the future," said board member Rosemary Swanson. To offset the upcoming needs, the board will consider allowing the district to reserve excess money in its fund balance to put into the operations fund for future projects.
New Jersey school district allocated $130.5 million for new high school
A new Trenton Central High School will be built with $130.5 million in funding recently approved by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority. It will replace the 82-year-old Central High. The existing school is aging and has been in a state of disrepair for years. Most of the old high school will be razed to construct new wings. The main entrance, clock tower and auditorium will be preserved. The Authority originally proposed repairing the building, but that cost would have been about $127 million. Officials say the new facility will mean an end to health and safety concerns for students and staff at the school.
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| Other upcoming contracting opportunities | |
California city studying possibility of using new LED lighting
 New energy-saving LED lights could be part of the landscape of Elk Grove, California, soon. City leaders are currently putting pencil to paper to figure costs, but if the project is approved by city leaders by the end of the year, it could go out for bids by early summer, according to Richard Shepard (pictured), the city's public works director. That would have work beginning around August and being completed by the end of the year. Plans are to work with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to retrofit 11,000 lights in Elk Grove. Several types of lights have already been tested. The current city street light bill runs approximately $1 million per year. Replacing the high-pressure sodium lamps currently in use could save the city about $400,000 per year and cut its electricity usage in half, said Shepard. The LED lights also will reduce maintenance and replacement costs because they last longer. "The bottom line is energy conservation is getting to the point where it's paying for itself," said Shepard. An up-front investment is required, but that investment is in turn paid off through the amount they save.
Senate approves New Mexico project spending; would need voter approval
Capital improvement projects totaling about $167 million have been approved by the New Mexico Senate and now will go to the House for consideration. If passed in both houses, the issue must go before voters in November for the sale of general obligation bonds. Those bonds are backed by property taxes. The proposed funding will be used for projects at colleges and universities, citizen centers and for tribal schools and libraries. Among the projects that would be funded are $19 million for renovations at New Mexico State University for Jett Hall, Jett Annex, Rentfrow Hall and for utility upgrades; $20.5 million for renovations of the University of Mexico's Farris Engineering Center; $11 million for the Golden Student Success Center at Eastern New Mexico University; and $6 million for Light, Harlan and Fleming halls at Western New Mexico University.
Louisiana airport will benefit from $7.5 million in new construction projects
 Construction of several facilities at the Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has been approved by a Chennault International Airport Authority Business Development, Architectural and Engineering Committee. On the list of projects is a $4.2 million new air cargo facility, part of which will be paid for by the state. That facility will be 10,000 square feet with a 15,000-square-foot corporate hangar and ground support equipment facility. The larger corporate aircraft will fit in the corporate hangar, which will have a 24-foot door height. The ground support equipment facility will be used for maintenance of a tenant's fuel trucks and equipment for handling aircraft. That project has a price tag of about $3.1 million, with Chennault paying for $1 million and the rest financed through the state. "The strategy for Chennault and the future is to be self-sufficient," said airport Executive Director Randy Robb (pictured). "We continue to build to support the growth - not only for the region but for the airport itself." Work is expected to begin in September, with a completion date of July 2015.
City in Ohio to invest $12 million for capital, infrastructure projects
Officials in Hamilton, Ohio, have committed to investing more than $12 million in funding for capital improvement and infrastructure projects in the city. The projects are expected to help solve traffic problems. The projects range from upgrading traffic signals to major street construction. The largest project on tap is the $8.5 million East High Street Gateway project. New medians, curbs and return lanes and water and sanitary infrastructure will be installed. Other projects on tap include a $650,000 project to add new left turn lanes on Millville Avenue and a new left turn lane on Wasserman Road. New ADA-compliant pedestrian crosswalks and signals will be added. Concrete repair and resurfacing are also planned, and a bike path project's second phase is part of an overall $1.8 million project. The bike ramp is expected to cost $500,000. Splash parks are also included in the funding, with each part costing about $369,000. And, finally, about $600,000 will be spent to install sidewalks with new handicap ramps, crosswalk striping and safety signs at 80 intersections on 16 streets. The project is part of the Safe Routes to Schools program and the Ohio Department of Transportation is investing $190,000 in the project.
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| Who's winning government contracts? | |
Check out these recent awards:
- Chester Bross Construction Company won an $862,487 contract from the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for resurfacing Route 51 in Perry County From McBride to Perryville.
- Frontier-Kemper Constructors was selected by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for a contract valued at approximately $294 million for the Manhattan North Structures for the ESA project contract, which includes fabrication and construction of the permanent structural concrete lining, interior structures and fit-out for caverns and tunnels previously excavated by other contractors beneath and to the north of Grand Central Terminal.
- ECM International Inc. was awarded a contract valued at $1.9 million by the city of El Paso to oversee design, bidding and construction of a new 90-acre, $48 million park in Far East El Paso.
- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has been awarded a $5.8 million contract from the Defense Weather System Directorate at the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles, for the production of the Ion Velocity Meter (IVM) under the U.S. Air Force Space Situational Awareness Environmental Monitoring program to fly aboard COSMIC-2, the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate-2.
- Metro City Construction, L.P. was awarded a $1.1 million contract by the Sugar Land, Texas, City Council for the second phase of the Sugar Mill Drainage Improvement Project. The project entails the construction of two relief storm sewers along Rolling Mill and Hillary Circle that would divert storm water into Cleveland Lake at the south of the subdivision.
- Octo Consulting Group, Inc. was awarded a $400 million Information Technology Services Contract Blanket Purchase Agreement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to support the agency's broad range of IT needs in areas such as IT software deployments, infrastructure and enterprise support and other mission-critical technology areas.
- Apex Paving Co. won an $8,911,025 contract from the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for grading, paving and adding shoulders to Route 34 from Route 51 in Marble Hill in Bollinger County to the Route 72/34 intersection in Cape Girardeau County.
- Johnson Brothers Corp. was awarded a $131.5 million contract by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, for a modern, four-lane bridge to carry U.S. 68/KY 80 over Kentucky Lake and serve as the western entrance to Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area.
- CACI Federal won a contract worth up to $1.9 million from the U.S. Air Force for information technology services, including telecommunications services.
- Agate Construction Company won a contract for $7.6 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair approximately 740 feet of the Barnegat Inlet on the north side of the inlet.
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| News about public-private partnerships (P3) | |
Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference slated in Dallas Feb. 24-25
 More than 30 cities, public agencies and universities will be presenting at the Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference (P3C) in Dallas Feb. 24-25. P3C is one of the largest gatherings of economic development professionals in the world. The two-day conference is convened to discuss cutting-edge programming covering a wide spectrum of public-private partnership topics and partnership opportunities. The conference brings together public leaders and development professionals in the architecture, engineering and construction industry active in the P3 community. P3C has become a major platform for raising awareness, exchanging knowledge and promoting significant upcoming development and procurement opportunities. Municipalities and authorities from across the country will take the stage to announce, unveil and discuss major capital projects. The nation's top developers, builders, architects, financiers and consultants will also be in attendance to address fresh innovations for accelerating public-private partnerships. "There is a large and growing appetite for P3 projects across the country. P3 projects are important vehicles for public agencies to bring essential real estate projects to fruition," said Eric Iravani, executive director for The Public-Private Partnership Alliance (P3A). "Our event is designed to inaugurate relationships through uniquely topical networking events and provide attendees with valuable insight into prospective public-private partnership possibilities across the country." The conference is presented by P3A, which is dedicated to moving public-private partnerships forward by partnering governments with private-sector expertise and investment, broadening networks for cities and municipalities and promoting best practices.P3A creates industry events designed to promote investment tools and approaches that assist governments in transforming neighborhoods into economically vibrant and sustainable communities. For more information, visit www.P3C2014.com.
Arizona DOT releases RFI for proposed South Mountain Freeway
The Arizona Department of Transportation is hoping to secure a public-private partnership agreement for the proposed South Mountain Freeway, which is still awaiting environmental clearance. The DOT has released a request for information (RFI) for the freeway that is designed to connect Interstate 10 on the southeast and western side of the Phoenix area. The RFI is hoped to provide the DOT with information that will help it move forward with planning for the project. The RFI and the information provided by private-sector firms could eventually lead to DOT issuing a request for proposals for the project. A forum for industry representatives is set for Feb. 27.
RFI will seek energy efficiency technologies for NY buildings
 An open-ended request for information (RFI) has been issued by the Energy Efficiency Innovation Collaborative for commercial, but not widely deployed, energy efficiency technologies. These technologies will be considered to improve energy efficiency in New York State buildings. The Collaborative is a public-private partnership of energy industry leaders headed up by the New York Power Authority. Their hope is that some of these technologies can be incorporated not only to improve energy efficiency, but also to spur economic growth in emerging technologies and bring new and expanded business to the state. Collaborative members are hopeful these innovative solutions can be matched with the energy needs of public buildings. Joanne Mahoney (pictured), vice chair and Onondaga County executive, said the governor has charged the Authority and other state entities to "ensure that New York is the leader in developing and deploying the latest energy efficiency products." Partnering with organizations that best understand design programs to expand new energy efficiency technologies is key to accomplishing that goal. The Authority plans to finance more than $800 million in energy efficiency projects in the next several years as part of the Build Smart NY initiative. These innovations will be used in schools, colleges and universities, offices, health care facilities and other public buildings statewide.
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| Where are they now? | |
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 David Raber.
 David Raber (pictured) earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Arizona State University in 1988 and is a Certified Public Accountant. He began his career in the public sector serving from 1997 to 2004 as deputy director and chief financial officer for the Arizona Office of the Governor. In 2004, he became deputy director of the Securities Division of the Arizona Corporation Commission, serving in that capacity for seven months. He was named director of the Corporations Division of that agency in 2004, serving until 2007. His next role in the agency was a two-year stint, from 2007 to 2009, as director of the Safety Division. In 2009, Raber took on the position of interim director and then deputy director of the Arizona Department of Administration. He was with that agency from 2009 to 2011, before taking the post of chief deputy director of the Arizona Department of Revenue. Raber's other positions include stints at the Arizona State Land Department and in the private sector with Del Webb Corporation in Scottsdale and Magma Copper Company in Tucson. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer recently appointed Raber as acting director of the Department of Revenue.
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| Opportunity of the week... |
An Oklahoma school district has passed the largest bond issue in its history - a five-year, $126 million referendum that will provide for renovations, security, technology and more as well as transportation needs. Want to know more?Contact our Sales Team at 512-531-3900 or sales@spartnerships.com.
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| People | |
   Chris Cerf (top left), New Jersey Education Commissioner, is leaving that position to become chief executive of Amplify Insight, a public-sector education technology firm run by his former boss, Joel Klein, who was New York City schools chancellor. Rocky Piro (top center), executive director of the Department of Community Planning and Development for the city of Denver since December 2012, has resigned and Diane Barrett, the mayor's chief projects officer, has been named interim executive director. Wendell Davis (top right), North Carolina Central University vice chancellor for administration and finance, has been named county manager for Durham County, succeeding former County Manager Mike Ruffin. Tom Church, who has worked for the New Mexico Department of Transportation for 21 years, including as chief of staff and deputy secretary of business and financial operations, has been confirmed by the state Senate as head of the department. Tina Thomas-Manning, a former Reynoldsburg, Ohio, principal and central office administrator and current associate superintendent for accountability and quality schools for the Ohio Department of Education, is the new superintendent of the Reynoldsburg schools. Bob Padmore, who has been serving as interim city manager for the city of Sioux City, Iowa, and is officially the city finance director, has been    named full-time city manager. Lisa Danzig (bottom right), the Department of Housing and Urban Development's director of strategic planning and management, is joining the Office of Management and Budget as its associate director for personnel and performance, replacing Shelley Metzenbaum, who now is the president of the Volcker Alliance. Christina DeJesus-Kishimoto (bottom center), superintendent of the Hartford, Connecticut, Schools, and an 18-year-veteran educator, has been chosen as the new superintendent of the Gilbert, Arizona, schools. The chair of the College of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the University of South Florida, Dr. Francisco Fernandez (bottom left) has been named The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley medical school's inaugural dean. New Mexico Public Safety Secretary Gorden Eden has been named to lead the Albuquerque Police Department, replacing former Chief Ray Schultz, who retired last year. Raymond Senecal, who was promoted to assistant chief only five weeks ago, has been selected as the new chief of the Schenectady Fire Department, from which his father, Capt. Raymond M. Senecal retired in 1997. Two new assistant city managers have been named for Glendale, Arizona - Jennifer Campbell, former community services director in the city of Maricopa, and Julie Frisoni, who has been with the city since 2002 and was serving as interim assistant city manager.
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| Let us help advertise your event on our calendar |
Does your organization or agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to either vendors who do business with government or officials and workers in state and local government, higher education, public education or health care? Are you planning a webinar? A conference or seminar? The Government Contracting Pipeline invites government and nonprofits to send information regarding your events for consideration to be included in our FREE Calendar of Events section below. In addition to providing contact information, the day, date, time and a synopsis of the event, you may also include a link to additional information on your Web page and/or a link to online registration that we'll include. Please submit your event information to editor@spartnerships.com.
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| Calendar of events | |
P3C 2014: The Public-Private Partnership Conference, February 24-25
P3C returns to Dallas next month, and will bring together the top industry minds and decision-makers to address the most relevant and pressing issues faced by public-planners, developers and A/E/C professionals. Over two days, P3C attendees will discover creative project finance solutions, learn strategies for handling the complexities of public-private partnerships and network with a vast pool of professionals experienced in all facets of planning and finance. P3C will also host Deal Day Showcase Sessions where public planners preview some of the newest development and procurement opportunities in America. Presenters will discuss their development goals, redevelopment visions and the details behind their capital projects. How will you grow your business and find new partners in the near year? Space is limited and registration prices increase on Jan. 31. For more information, visit www.P3C2014.com
ASPA plans 75th anniversary celebration in March in D.C.
The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) will hold its 2014 Annual Conference March 14-18, 2014, at the Mayflower Renaissance in Washington, D.C. One of the keynote presentations will be given by Elaine Karmark, a public policy expert who founded the New Democratic Movement that helped elect President Bill Clinton. She is also the founding director of the Center for Effective Public Management at Brookings Institution. This year's conference celebrates the 75th anniversary of the ASPA. The conference programming examines the challenge of managing and leading public service organizations in the 21st century, public human resource management, budgeting and finance management and policy formulation and service delivery. Featuring more than 150 panels led by public-service experts, the event will address changing public-sector ethics, how to create smarter government and working across levels of government and sectors. Conference registration is now open and additional information is available.
National Association of Counties preparing for Legislative Conference
The National Association of Counties will host its 2014 Legislative Conference March 1-5 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. The annual event brings together more than2,000 elected and appointed county officials from across the country to focus on legislative issues facing county government. Attendees hear from key federal officials and members of Congress and are offered a myriad of additional educational opportunities addressing current and hot topic issues. A day of lobbying on Capitol Hill the last day rounds out an information-packed Conference. Among the speakers for the event will be Mike Allen, chief White House Correspondent for Politico, and the honorary co-chairs of the No Labels organization, Gov. Jon Huntsman and Sen. Joe Manchin. They will discuss how to engage in a dialogue that delves further into breaking down the structural problems that push the nation's leaders apart and how the existence of common goals can drive across-the-aisle solutions. Registration is now open and the conference schedule is available.
National League of Cities to host Congressional City Conference
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan will be guest speakers at the upcoming National League of Cities 2014 Congressional City Conference. The event is slated for March 8-12 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. The Congressional City Conference brings together more than 2,000 elected and appointed city leaders to focus on the federal policy issues that are important to local governments. Partnering with the National League of Cities ensures the nation's cities a seat at the decision-making table with members of Congress, the White House and federal agencies looking for solutions to addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Additionally, attendees at the conference will learn about the federal programs, funding opportunities and resources available to implement the most innovative practices at the local level. More information is available and registration is now open.
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