Category: Mary Scott Nabers’ Insights

Planned technology purchases point to an abundance of identity tracking cameras in 2021. Surveillance cameras, tracking devices, monitoring, recording, and capturing data – that’s the future. The purchase of camera tracking technology is a very large and strong trend. Individuals should assume they are on camera and being watched and tracked at all times in […]

It is next to impossible to find any governmental entity with technology systems that do not desperately need to either be replaced or modernized significantly. Although they are costly, technology upgrades are necessary, and, in spite of budget constraints, it appears that 2021 will be a year when governmental entities finally begin long-overdue modernization efforts. […]

As public officials begin to look at 2021, many are preparing to launch large infrastructure projects. Several of these efforts may be delivered through public-private partnerships (P3s). Most infrastructure-related projects are complex, diverse, critical in nature, and costly. Here are a few worthy of note.   Arizona Officials at Northern Arizona University have announced several […]

Many cities and counties have funded feasibility studies related to large public projects scheduled for 2021. This analysis serves as a tool for governments to assess the viability and need for a significant capital investment. Based on the multitude of studies approved or already underway, the coming year will offer numerous contracting opportunities – even […]

In government today, every large public project has technology components. The delivery of citizen services, law enforcement, mobility, health care, education, and even economic development all rely heavily on technology. And, because public officials must continually upgrade, modernize, expand, and protect technology systems and networks, the government marketplace has become a multi trillion-dollar international exchange […]

Throughout the country, many critical and long-overdue law enforcement capital projects are underway. Most of the projects are a result of either regional growth or dilapidated facilities that are in dire need of replacement. However, along with the construction aspect of these projects, there are all kinds of other contracting opportunities. Many new technology offerings […]

Water and wastewater systems are critical components of sustainability for communities throughout America. However, most of the country’s water infrastructure is either at, or very near, the end of its useful life. At a time when funding is scarce and public officials are distracted with other critical issues, something must be done. There’s no way […]

The federal government funds public transportation projects throughout the U.S. and the process is designed around an abundance of planning. Once plans are finalized, it’s possible to monitor upcoming projects of all types. Today, there are few projects, if any, that do not contain large technology components.  Smart transportation is no longer the future – […]

Taxpayers, citizens, and industry leaders may not be totally familiar with Public Facility Corporations (PFCs), but that should change, especially now since public funding for critical projects is at an all-time low. PFCs are becoming somewhat common in many regions of the country. If the legal entity (PFC) is not familiar, here’s a bit of […]

People often believe that bond elections only fund construction projects. Although it’s true that construction opportunities do occur when bond packages are approved, sales of certificates of obligation or general obligation spawn hundreds of other contracting opportunities. Companies that provide services related to technology, energy systems, furniture, landscaping, and security also benefit. Voters already have […]

Motorists and automobile lovers are already noticing rather rapid change. Sustainability goals adopted by elected officials at cities and counties are continuing to promote projects that support walking, biking, and using public transportation. Housing density, walkable communities, technology enhancement and convenient public transportation are the goals. Parking options are being reduced. Automobiles are being banned […]

In spite of a decline in contracting opportunities in state and local government, public officials are announcing dozens of new, large projects each week. The announcements usually include upcoming solicitations for new construction projects as well as renovation and upgrade projects. Because of population growth, many of the most recent announcements have expansion projects. Educational […]

Cities, counties, and states are being forced to upgrade or purchase new technology. The old legacy systems are now inadequate, inefficient, and somewhat dangerous because of their vulnerability to hacking. Many of the old systems are almost completely obsolete. They are unable to accommodate new applications. In today’s data driven world, technology modernization leads to […]

Change is definitely in the wind. It’s almost impossible to find any industry sector that is not undergoing some degree of change, and many are experiencing historic change. Governmental entities are in the same situation. Predicting what normalcy will look like this time next year is a difficult task. Public officials in most parts of […]

Developers, engineers, and contractors who are interested in municipal projects should consider monitoring grant funding that is currently being awarded to communities for brownfield projects. A large percentage of the most recent grant funding is being awarded for remediation of property that is being prepared for rather large community development projects. As of February 2020, […]

Another round of funding from by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will guarantee the launch of numerous projects at airports throughout the U.S. This particular grant program provides smaller funding amounts, but the funding can augment projects that are part of larger initiatives. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced in July that more than […]

This time last year, I would have been preparing to travel to the upcoming P3 Conference to discuss public-private partnerships. Now, I am planning to engage audiences virtually at this year’s P3 Conference dubbed the ‘Sports, Entertainment and Facilities Conference.’ The event, scheduled for August 12-14, will feature discussions about collaborative initiatives related to large […]

Bridges, a critical part of America’s infrastructure, need immediate attention. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2019 National Bridge Inventory database shows that 81,000 bridges should be replaced and more than 46,000 are structurally deficient. In spite of the data, millions of motorists cross these structurally deficient bridges every day. The American Road & Transportation Builders […]

Wastewater is an integral part of public infrastructure, and contracting opportunities related to wastewater projects often represent multi-million-dollar efforts. However, because of their very nature, wastewater projects are often overlooked by companies. The projects, for some reason, rarely merit the type of visibility that road, bridge, and rail projects receive. The COVID-19 pandemic has curbed […]

While congressional leaders work diligently to develop the next COVID recovery bill, other interesting legislation also is being discussed. Many of the conversations focus on public funding options after COVID-19. There are no disagreements when it comes understanding the critical funding needs that will be front and center for cities, counties, states, schools, and hospitals […]

As the country battles to recover from COVID-19, transit leaders are calling for the next federal relief package to appropriate substantial funding to allow public transit to play its critical part in the economy’s recovery. In the interim, many of these transit and mobility authorities throughout the nation are moving forward with capital improvement projects […]

There is great angst related to every aspect of reopening of schools in the U.S. What to do? How to do it? When to do it? The questions are numerous, and there is little certainty about anything. However, one thing is not in question – schools and our education system are critically important to our […]

The CARES ACT (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) passed by Congress created a sprawling, multi-faceted plan to combat COVID-19 and its debilitating effects on the U.S. economy. Signed into law in March, the $2 trillion relief package allocated funding for preserving jobs, backfilling government budgets, helping school districts, providing assistance for the unemployed and […]

COVID-19 continues to take its toll on America. Students of all ages will soon begin fall classes, and school officials are scrambling to ensure safety. Education leaders appear to be in total agreement about how to deliver instruction. Students will be taught through both online and in-person classes. And, as preparations are made to implement […]