FROM THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Welcome to our 2020 Fall / Winter Contractor Report e-zine . In this issue , you ’ ll learn why our Program ’ s name has changed , about Alameda County ’ s Enhanced Construction Outreach Program and related certifications , about Job Order Contracting opportunities with the County ’ s General Services Agency , and about two successful Program participants who have completed work in Alameda County .
As of November 1 , 2019 , our Program name has changed from the Alameda County Contractor Bonding Assistance Program to the Alameda County Contractor Technical Assistance Program ( CTAP ), reflecting an evolution in and expansion of our services to the contracting community . While engaging small , local and diverse contractors and connecting them to opportunities within the County remains our highest priority , we have also recognized that contractors require the same type of technical assistance to build their overall capacity as is required to secure bonding . Providing a range of ongoing technical assistance allows our Program contractors not only to get bonded and meet the County ’ s public works contracting requirements , but also to gain skills necessary to grow their businesses , enabling them in turn to hire local workers and further contribute to the overall economic health of Alameda County .
CTAP staff work closely with our partnering team of professionals to assist contractors in preparing for contracting opportunities and to identify strategies to help contractors strengthen and grow their businesses . Our one-on-one consultations allow us to customize our technical assistance to the specific needs of each contractor , including providing referrals to brokers for surety credit , to bookkeepers and CPAs for help meeting financial , record-keeping and payroll requirements , to attorneys for contract and legal business advising , and to banking facilities for loans , lines of credit and other financing options . Our Program staff offer individualized contractor assistance with bids , final bonds , certifications and developing professional Contractor Profiles for networking and marketing , as well as contractor-focused workshops and seminars to share information and skills vital to their long-term success .
We also connect prime contractors with eligible Program participants to help primes find new , local subcontractors and to assist them in meeting equity and inclusion goals and requirements .
Finally , CTAP has expanded our participant eligibility to include :
•• Alameda County Small Local Emerging Business ( SLEB )
•• State Small Business Enterprise ( SBE )
•• U . S . Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise ( DBE )
•• Minority-owned Business Enterprise ( MBE )
•• Woman-owned Business Enterprise ( WBE )
••
Local Business Enterprise ( LBE )
We are committed to continuing our work in support of the County , small , local and diverse contractors , primes and partner agencies and invite you to contact us to explore how we can be of service to you .
Kindly , Alameda County Contractor Technical Assistance Program Team