WEBINARS FROM WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK
HOW TO FIND CONSTRUCTION AND PUBLIC WORKS BID OPPORTUNITIES
Being a woman in the construction industry comes with its own set of unique challenges , but knowing how to find construction and public works bid opportunities is frequently a daunting task for anyone in building and trades – which is why it was the subject of an educational Norcal Apex Accelerator ( formerly Norcal PTAC ) webinar presented during Women in Construction Week 2023 .
“ The first thing I always tell my clients is to know who your prospects are and where their funding is coming from ,” said Liz Brazil , Procurement Specialist for Norcal Apex Accelerator . “ Federal agencies […] announced a series of multi-billion-dollar projects for infrastructure […].” In addition to federal funding , she noted that the state is also using increased gasoline taxes and annual vehicle fees to fund infrastructure projects , earmarking $ 54 billion over a 10-year period .
She pointed out that in 2022 , the Biden- Harris Administration made $ 1.5 billion available through the RAISE Grant Program , another $ 1.5 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 26 transportation projects nationwide , and in 2023 , had pledged $ 2.1 Billion to improve four nationally significant bridges .
According to Brazil , the Caltrans Local Assistance Program ( LAP ) in partnership with local agencies , oversees $ 1 billion annually for the improvement of roads and bridges , authorizing more than 1,200 new projects — 700 of which are construction projects made available to about 600 cities , counties , and regional agencies within California . She also discussed ways in which small contractors can start preparing for and seeking opportunities to work on these projects .
Damon Dorn , Small Business Outreach Coordinator with the California High-Speed Rail Authority , said that the high-speed rail project will provide construction opportunities for small businesses , including womenowned businesses , Disadvantaged Business Enterprises ( DBEs ) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises ( DVBEs ). “ There is a 30 % small business participation goal ,” he said , explaining the project ’ s Small Business Program in more detail .
Many opportunities for Local Business Enterprises ( LBEs ) exist within the Golden Gate Bridge , Highway & Transportation District , noted Artemise Davenport , Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Administrator for District . Some of this agency ’ s upcoming contracting opportunities include a toll plaza pavement overlay , bridge pre-construction services , and the San Rafael parking lot and solar panel improvements project . “ Registering with us as a vendor [ is ] the best way to keep up with what is going on with the District ,” she recommended , showing how the District ’ s procurement portal works .
Brooklyn Moore-Greene , a Contracts Compliance representative for AC Transit , said that her agency is actively involved in small business outreach with goals of 10 % SBE , 10 % LBE and of 24 % DBE participation . She went over the goods and services typically purchased by AC Transit and discussed the process for registering as a vendor through their website . “ Project bidders are advised to thoroughly review our solicitation specifications , attend pre-bid conferences and outreach events , request a debrief on unsuccessful proposals – that is key , stay
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