Pennsylvania – The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is taking steps to capture billions in cargo “leakage” with a $1.8 billion expansion project.

Major elements include construction of more than 1.1 million square feet of light industrial building space and 5.1 million square feet of airfield pavement, as well as road and access road relocations and multiple building demolitions.

A 2017 study found the air cargo volume for the airport’s six-state territory was $53 billion, but it was losing 91 percent of potential cargo business to Dulles, John F. Kennedy, and Newark Liberty international airports.

Since 2012, the airport has continued to increase cargo processing, and growth is expected to continue. Using the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2019-2039 national forecast of air cargo as a base, the market share of cargo to be handled by PHL could increase by 104 percent through forecasted 2039.

PHL accommodates aviation-related industrial facilities in an area referred to as Cargo City, a 135-acre complex of aviation-related industrial facilities on the west side of the airport. Existing cargo facilities include several buildings used for airline cargo handling and storage and/or support functions such as aircraft maintenance, catering, cold storage, parts/stores, ground support equipment (GSE) maintenance, and other operations.

Airport officials anticipate project completion within five to 10 years.

California – The state’s health data center issued a request for information (RFI) for a decision intelligence analytics system to aid it in preventing infectious disease transmission.

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Center for Health Statistics and Informatics (CHSI) proposes developing a system that leverages the current data sharing framework and infrastructure and incorporates decision intelligence to aid in understanding behaviors and decisions to better develop and implement more effective prevention-focused interventions.

Its purpose is to better address current and potential future trends in COVID-19 transmission, incidence, and prevalence in California counties and establish an interconnected infrastructure across public health data sets to address future pandemics.

This could include, but is not limited to, using data, trends, and other information gathered for past and current response efforts to develop targeted localized messaging and interventions with populations that had multiple chronic conditions, as well as utilizing predictive analytics to anticipate surges in cases.

The selected vendor will:

RFI responses are due by 5 p.m. PDT August 12.

Maryland – Plans are in motion for renovating Baltimore Penn Station and redeveloping the surrounding area.

An Amtrak high-speed rail expansion will involve renovating an existing platform and constructing a new platform.

Essential core and shell improvements will bring historic Penn Station to a state of good repair. This includes masonry repairs, existing window refurbishment, a new roof, new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and vertical circulation.

The usable spaces will be programmed with new retail and restaurants on the concourse level, as well as office space on three upper levels. A repurposed Penn Station will serve as the prominent anchor for all future development that springs up on the adjacent property.

Just over the tracks from Penn Station, a new, state-of-the-art station expansion will be connected and integrated with the existing station and with the planned high-speed rail platform. Transit functions, such as ticketing and baggage, will be relocated to the new station expansion, freeing up the concourse level of Penn Station for commercial uses.

A major new waypoint for Penn Station, the mixed-use Lanvale building will create additional density with commercial and residential uses. A street-level retail program will integrate with the new station expansion.

Restorative work on the exterior of the historic station is scheduled to begin in late summer 2021. Core and shell improvements to the existing station should begin in late fall or early winter 2021. Construction of the station expansion on the Lanvale lot is projected to start in spring 2022.

North Dakota – The Fargo-Moorehead metropolitan area will benefit from $569 million in financial assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a $1.3 billion flood mitigation project.

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding will go toward the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area Stormwater Diversion Channel Project, which includes two components to manage uncontrolled stormwater that can affect the metro area.

A stormwater diversion channel component includes constructing a 30-mile channel to re-direct and temporarily store surplus flows of stormwater safely away from the metropolitan area.

The in-town levee project includes modifications to 13 levees and 27 stormwater lift stations in the cities of Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota.

By managing the flow of spring snow melt and summer stormwater, the project will protect 245,000 residents and 44,000 acres from an estimated $194.8 million in annual stormwater and flood damages.

Substantial completion of the diversion project is expected by spring 2027.

Colorado – Denver Water released a request for information (RFI) to gather input on cloud-based marketing and communications solutions to guide the utility’s marketing and communications efforts.

Denver Water has a need for the infrastructure to integrate existing data systems to provide personalized, customized, two-way communications to a variety of customer segments via mail, email, social media and mobile. Additionally, the utility would like the ability to create, automate and track content from a single source.

The utility seeks a cloud-based solution that connects first-, second- and third-party (Denver Water, partner and data warehouse) customer data so that Denver Water may provide automated, consistent, relevant, and targeted communications to customers.

It would require a solution that integrates with existing customer care and billing systems, an in-house customer self-service portal, two city websites, and social media. Additional requirements include a customer contact management center, content management, and customer interaction tracking and reporting.

If the solution is approved, Denver Water anticipates moving forward with a request for proposals (RFP) in 2022.

The deadline for RFI submissions is noon MDT July 2.

The SPI Team is pleased to welcome Dr. Gordon Pritz, a public education professional with 40 years of experience.

Gordon spent the last 22 years of his career in positions of education leadership, serving as an assistant principal, high school principal, associate superintendent, and the final seven years as superintendent in the Douglas County School System in Georgia.

Gordon taught in Cobb County Schools for 16 years and coached teams to eight state championships as a head coach at both Wheeler and McEachern high schools.

Upon his retirement from school district systems, Gordon began teaching graduate level courses as an adjunct professor and aiding in educational legal matters as an expert witness.

After graduating from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, he began his teaching career in Monticello, Indiana, and after that moved his family to Cobb County, Georgia, to begin another teaching position.

Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Taylor University in Indiana, a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Georgia State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership and administration from Nova Southeastern University.

He continues to serve on numerous advisory boards. His vast knowledge of public school systems and the relationships he has fostered during the past 40 years will add significant depth to the SPI Consulting Team and the clients it serves.

Dr. Ron McFarland is a consultant, published author, educator, and researcher with 30 years of professional practice and leadership. His expertise in the areas of technology and security will add new dimensions to the SPI Team, and his experience will be beneficial to the company’s clients.

Ron holds numerous impressive certifications. He has successfully led large database and security development projects for the financial services, nuclear power, defense, and manufacturing industry sectors.

His career background includes service at the executive levels of several universities including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Northern Arizona University, University of Maryland, and Western New Mexico University. He served as an academic dean of the Business and Computer Systems Division for DeAnza College in Cupertino, California, and the School of Applied Technologies at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California.

As a chief technology officer, information technology Director, and project manager, he managed numerous programs. His skills include negotiations, continuous improvement expertise, cybersecurity, technology, and a deep understanding of public sector practices, culture, and needs.

New York – The Long Island Power Authority is seeking information on developing and implementing an Enterprise Risk Management System.

In a request for information (RFI), the authority stated its desire for a risk system that will allow users across the organization to input and report on risk information using a web-based, easily accessible platform. The solution must be easy to use, implement, and customize.

Minimum requirements for the proposed system are:

RFI responses are due by 3 p.m. EDT July 9.

Minnesota – The state’s Legislature appropriated $110 million to transportation projects in addition to Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funding of $75 million awarded to 75 road projects in Minnesota.

LRIP funding only provides for capital construction costs; it does not pay for engineering, right of way or other non-construction related costs. The State Aid Office of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) administers the program with guidance from the LRIP Advisory Committee.

The LRIP Advisory Committee used specific criteria, including regional significance of the route and effectiveness of the project eliminating transportation system deficiencies, to determine funding recipients on May 27. The agency received 425 applications worth $344 million in funding requests.

Sibley County was awarded $14 million for its flood mitigation efforts at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 6. The project goal is to raise the road above the 50-year floodplain elevation from the city of Henderson to CSAH 5/6 intersection. The project will widen the road shoulders, construct a trail, and reconstruct the road to a 10-ton design standard. The county would like to begin construction in fall 2022 or early 2023.

Maple Grove will receive $13 million to complete the city’s final phase of construction on connecting roads between Highway 610 and Interstate 94. In November, the city reported it had raised $20 million of the $48 million project.

The city of Red Wing was awarded $10 million for a grade separation project at Sturgeon Lake. Anoka County stands to collect $8.4 million for its U.S. 10/Ramsey Boulevard/Sunfish Lake Road project, and Richfield will get $6 million for work on the 77th Street underpass.

Delaware – The Lewes City Council approved a site plan for the Cape Henlopen School District to build a $39.54 million three-story middle school with a 600-student capacity.

Planned for 93,172 square feet and complemented with soccer, baseball, softball, and other sports fields, the new campus will be built at the site where the district is demolishing and rebuilding Shields Elementary School. The fields will be built behind the new elementary school.

The district passed a 2018 bond referendum containing $21.38 million in building projects, including the new middle school. Because the election was successful, the state will contribute $34.2 million for the district’s capital projects. Delaware’s share of the middle school project is $23.73 million with the local contribution amounting to $15.81 million.

Bidding is scheduled for February 2022 to April 2022 with construction from April 2022 to June 2024 in time for an August 2024 opening.

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved 36 pilot telehealth projects across the country for more than $31 million in funding on June 17 through the Connected Care Pilot Program.

These newly selected pilot projects join an initial set of 23 projects approved earlier this year, bringing the total to over $57 million in funding for 59 pilot projects serving patients in 30 states plus Washington, D.C.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare patients’ telehealth activity increased to 24.5 million beneficiaries receiving telehealth services between mid-March and mid-October 2020.

The Pilot Program will make available up to $100 million from the Universal Service Fund over a three-year period for selected pilot projects to help defray the costs of providing certain telehealth services for eligible health care providers, with a particular emphasis on providing connected care services to low-income and veteran patients.

This funding approval will allow Pilot Program participants to begin their projects. It also provides guidance on eligible services, including clarification on the eligibility of certain network equipment.

The projects will address a variety of critical health issues such as maternal health, chronic disease, mental health conditions, and opioid dependency, among others.

A consortium with 36 sites in Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Nebraska was approved to use $6.1 million in Connected Care support to provide patient-based, internet-connected remote monitoring, video visits, and remote treatment to vulnerable populations, especially low-income rural residents in medically underserved areas or communities with a shortage of health-care professionals.

Through strengthened and expanded broadband connectivity, the pilot project would treat patients suffering from chronic or infectious disease, and will serve an estimated 3,000 patients, 90 percent of whom lack adequate broadband access.

London – New York retained its title as the largest city with the brightest potential in the Americas, according to a recent Americas Cities of the Future 2021-22 ranking by a division of the Financial Times.

The organization rated 210 cities based on economic potential, business friendliness, human capital and lifestyle, cost effectiveness, and connectivity. In addition, local economic development organizations (EDOs) and investment promotion agencies (IPAs) completed surveys about their plans and strategies to form a sixth category of strategy.

New York’s rating was based on its gross domestic product, growth forecast, inflation, unemployment, and business friendliness.

The U.S. cities making the Top 10 Overall Americas Cities of the Future for 2021-22 were:

1. New York.

3. San Francisco.

5. Chicago.

6. Boston.

7. Houston.

8. Los Angeles.

9. Miami.

10. Atlanta.

Mid-sized U.S. cities in the Top 10 were: Raleigh at No. 4; Salt Lake City at No. 5; and Birmingham at No. 9.

Santa Clara, California, scored the top spot for small cities with populations between 100,000 and 350,000. It was followed by other U.S. cities of: Cambridge, Massachusetts at No. 2; Sunnyvale, California at No. 3; Bellevue, Washington at No. 4; Irvine, California at No. 6; Stamford, Connecticut at No. 7; Boulder, Colorado at No. 8; and the Texas cities of Plano and Irving at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively.

California took four spots in the micro-cities category of sub-100,000 populations with the Golden State cities of Palo Alto claiming No. 1, Mountain View at No. 2, Menlo Park at No. 4, and Redwood at No. 8. Michigan’s Plymouth came in fifth, Wixom at ninth, and Auburn Hills in 10th. Rounding out the top 10 were the cities of Hebron, Kentucky at No. 3, Duncan, South Carolina at No. 6, and Buford, Georgia at No. 7.

Indiana – The Management Performance Hub (MPH) of the Indiana Department of Administration issued a request for information (RFI) to gather input on data product delivery and to develop a list of approved vendors and services.

Vendors should be prepared to support both short (1-6 months) and long-term (6-12 months) data projects.

Desired skill sets may include expertise and practical knowledge of data for governance, architecture, engineering, science, analytics, algorithm development, and project management applied to complex, multifaceted problems.

Respondents are expected to be collaborative team players (with clients and other vendors) and excel in good code hygiene, allowing for seamless updates and support.

Those that qualify for this program may benefit from a stream-lined process for data engagements with state agencies through their affiliation with MPH. While this is not a guarantee of a certain number of projects or income, it offers the approved vendors a strategic position with respect to Indiana’s data-driven future.

RFI responses are due by 3 p.m. EDT July 9.

Utah – The Utah Inland Port Authority named Brad Andrews as its new vice president of business development. Andrews has been a principal in several entrepreneurial ventures in biotech, health care services, and consumer products, and he has served as an adviser to start-up and emerging companies.

Hawaii – The city and county of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services welcomed Robert Yu as president and general manager of O’ahu Transit Services (OTS), effective July 1. Yu spent 26 years at OTS as senior vice president and deputy general manager, senior vice president of finance and administration, and chief internal auditor.

Oregon – The Talent City Council unanimously approved Jordan Rooklyn as the new city manager. She will take over for Interim City Manager Jame McLeod-Skinner. Rooklyn most recently served as a strategic analyst for the Portland Water Bureau. Before that, she was a senior performance management analyst for the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

Washington – Spokane Airports appointed Colin Hayden as project manager for Spokane International Airport and Felts Field. Most recently, he was project manager for the Port of Vancouver. Before that, he worked at the city of Vancouver, Washington.

Pennsylvania – Luzerne County Commissioners selected Romilda Crocamo as the interim county manager. She will succeed County Manager David Pedri who is resigning July 6. Crocamo currently serves as the county’s chief solicitor. Before that, she was a managing attorney at the Barbara J. Hart Justice Center in Scranton and a law clerk for a judge at the county’s Court of Common Pleas.

Florida – Miami-Dade County named Eulois Cleckley as director and chief executive officer of the Department of Transportation and Public Works. Cleckley joined the county from the city and county of Denver where he served as executive director of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. Before that, he was deputy director of the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

Mary Scott Nabers, Publisher

Devin Monk, Editor

Government Contracting Pipeline, a publication of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., is a free, weekly newsletter detailing important happenings nationwide and the premier source for federal, state, and local government news and contracting opportunities.