California – The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (Metro) selected an estimated $4.9 billion to $5.1 billion preferred alternative for construction of the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor.

Favored over three other build alternatives, the 14.8-mile Slauson/A Line (Blue) to Pioneer Station would feature nine new stations, three of which would be aerial, and offer service to downtown Los Angeles.

The project has $4 billion in funding through Measure M and local, state, and federal funding. Metro is evaluating the feasibility and benefits of a public-private partnership (P3) to deliver the corridor.

Metro staff will compile and consider all public comments in developing their recommendation for a “Locally Preferred Alternative” to present to the Metro board of directors later this year. The board will ultimately decide which route the project will take.

Alaska – To accommodate projected passenger growth, add more space, and better configure space, the Ketchikan International Airport is planning an $89 million three-phase expansion.

Reconfiguring the existing airport layout is the primary objective of the improvements to eliminate overlapping of arriving and departing passengers and sharing of lobby space by airlines and charters.

The airport’s security checkpoint would be relocated to the first floor and expanded, more space would be devoted to baggage handling and concessions, and boarding gates would be added. Its apron would be converted from asphalt to concrete.

Pending state and federal approvals, the airport anticipates issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) for architectural design services and beginning design in 2022. Construction on the first phase would start in 2023.

Pennsylvania – The Department of General Services (DGS) issued a request for information (RFI) seeking feedback from prospective contractors that will aid in the development of future solicitations for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to be installed at state facilities.

Specifically, the department is collecting input on draft agreements that it developed for power purchase and site occupancy.

The state desires to continue to foster the development of solar PV generation within Pennsylvania in its efforts to promote energy conservation and sustainable governance.

With this goal in mind, several state agencies, including the Department of Corrections, are interested in engaging in projects to install solar PV generation at their facilities through a long-term (20-year) power purchase agreement. DGS will be responsible for completing the procurement process for these projects and has created the draft agreements for that purpose.

The generation capacity of these projects shall not exceed the net-metering threshold established by the applicable electric distribution company, typically 3 megawatts or less.

Although DGS is not providing a list of potential facilities where these projects will be completed at this time, each location under consideration has sufficient open land to accommodate a project of this size.

The deadline for RFI submissions is 2 p.m. August 18.

Connecticut – As it nears the end of the design phase for $167 million in improvements to its wastewater system, Norwich Public Utilities anticipates advertising for construction bids in late 2021.

Three components of its Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plan will involve an estimated $80 million in upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant in addition to construction of a $53 million enhanced high-rate clarification facility to treat up to 60 million gallons per day (MGD) and a $34 million replacement of its Rose Alley pump station in order to transport up to 60 MGD to the clarification facility.

Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2022 on the project that addresses compliance requirements under a state-approved “Basis of Design Report.”

Virginia – The nation is facing a higher education infrastructure backlog of $112.3 billion according to a new partnership between industry organizations.

A facility and construction data provider and APPA, formerly known as the Association of Physical Plant Administrators, analyzed numerous institutional needs at public institutions across the U.S. in a recent study, "Changing the Facilities Backlog Conversation in Higher Education."

Despite spending $37 billion on operating and maintaining facilities every year and investing another $28 billion annually in new construction and renovations, these colleges and universities are falling behind.

Broken down by institution type, the estimated needs are:

Colleges and universities manage more than 6.2 billion square feet of floor space in 210,000 buildings. These structures have an average age approaching 50 years and a current replacement value estimated to exceed $2 trillion, including utilities infrastructure, roads, and landscaping.

The study partners said moving campuses successfully forward will require a reconsideration of the physical footprint and current space utilization, the realignment of renewal investments, connecting building health with smart technologies, and reimagining the organizations used to serve higher education.

Milton Dohoney Jr. joins the Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) Consulting Team with a wealth of experience at the highest levels of local governments, including 30 years as an executive in municipal management.

Milton has been a city manager, chief administrative officer, deputy mayor, and assistant city manager for city organizations with staffs ranging from 3,500 to 14,500. He has been a leader or executive team member in developing and managing budgets ranging from several hundred million dollars to over $4 billion.

He most recently served as assistant city manager for the city of Phoenix where he oversaw law, police, fire, emergency management, convention center, downtown major development, library, and major events such as Super Bowl XLIX and 2017 Final Four.

In Phoenix, he worked closely with the executive team on development of a $4 billion budget, provided leadership and coaching to four deputy city managers, and recruited and provided instruction to next-generation organizational leaders.

Prior to that, Milton was city manager and chief executive officer for the city of Cincinnati where he directed all aspects of the executive and administrative functions of the government. During his tenure, he provided leadership on transformational development projects such as The Banks, a waterfront development that featured a streetcar and neighborhood revitalization. He also contributed to the development of a public-private partnership (P3) that created the city’s first casino and was responsible for a $2.5 billion budget and 6,000 employees.

As chief administrative officer in Kentucky, he served with the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government and city of Louisville where he also was the city’s director of public safety and assistant director of community services.

He has been a faculty member at four universities and is an active member of the International City/County Management Association. He serves on the boards of the Vitalyst Health Foundation and the St. Joseph’s/Dignity Health organization.

Milton’s extensive experience in transformational economic development projects, public safety, community engagement, major events coordination, and leadership development will benefit SPI clients.

Chuck Arnold joins the Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) Team bringing expertise gained over 40-plus years of working in state/local government and nonprofit organizations. Chuck has an extensive knowledge of procurement requirements, regulatory issues, policy, finance, and the challenges that face public entities in all jurisdictions.

Chuck’s career in state government included holding positions as an auditor, chief budget officer, and chief administrative officer for various state agencies, including the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as well as the Comptroller of the Treasury.

Additionally, Chuck held leadership positions in education where he was responsible for all non-instructional activities in several schools. He most recently served as the associate director of schools with responsibility over finance and administration in two Tennessee school districts. He also has served as the chief financial officer for a nonprofit organization.

Chuck earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University. And, he is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Tennessee. His understanding of government finance, procurement, planning, and management will be welcomed by SPI clients.

Arizona – Amtrak recently released its vision for expanding passenger rail service in Arizona via a new Tucson-Phoenix-Buckeye corridor that would generate nearly $175 million in annual economic impact to the region.

This new corridor would link the rapidly growing Phoenix and Tucson areas with three daily roundtrips between downtown Tucson through Phoenix to the West Valley suburb of Buckeye. It also would link Phoenix and Tucson to Los Angeles with one daily roundtrip.

Phoenix, the 11th largest metropolitan area has Amtrak service just three days per week, and the nearest station to Phoenix is in Maricopa, 36 miles from downtown.

Eleven mayors of communities along the Tucson-Phoenix corridor, led by the mayors of those two cities, have released a joint letter to Congress expressing support for Amtrak’s vision to bring passenger rail service to the region.

New stations would be built in Marana, Coolidge, Queen Creek, and Tempe as well as at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix downtown, Goodyear-Avondale, and Buckeye.

Proposed Amtrak stations would allow passengers to connect with the Phoenix area light-rail transit system Valley Metro.

New Hampshire – The state’s technology department released a request for information (RFI) on behalf of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for vendor input on Enterprise Information Systems (EIS).

NHDES is seeking a cloud-based, low-code, off-the-shelf EIS that has been used to support public-sector environmental services organizations.

Responses to this RFI will assist with scheduling product demonstrations and preparation of a request for proposals (RFP) to upgrade/replace NHDES’ current system.

NHDES intends to modernize the current system by implementing an EIS for Environmental Services that can support most of or all the department’s program areas.

The solution must support permitting, compliance monitoring and reporting, enforcement, and training. In addition, it must efficiently assist the regulated community to ensure compliance with state and federal environmental rules and regulations.

RFI submissions are due by 4 p.m. August 31.

North Dakota – More than eight North Dakota cities will be vying for $70 million in state appropriations for construction of new career and technology education centers (CTEs).

Grand Forks Public Schools is preparing to issue a request for proposals (RFP) soon for architectural services to draft blueprints for its center. Other municipalities expected to compete for a share of up to $10 million in funding are Bismarck, Dickinson, Fargo, Jamestown, Mandan, Mayville, Watford City, and Williston.

The North Dakota Legislature approved the one-time funding for an area career initiative grant program for career and technical education projects involving construction, addition, maintenance, and equipment for new and existing area career centers.

Preference will be given to school districts that collaborate with other school districts for a regional career center facility or to districts that will use an existing area career center to positively affect that region of the state.

Projects will be given preference that will promote postsecondary education and workforce training education in conjunction with secondary education.

The state will award the funds in two rounds of $35 million each. The first application deadline is October 1, and the second is set for December 1.

Illinois – The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) will host a Concessionaire and Small Business Symposium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. August 24 at the Fountain Blue Banquets and Conference Center in Des Plaines.

There will be workshops on construction manager at risk (CMAR) bid opportunities and pre-qualification requirements, how to become a concessionaire, minority-owned business certifications, as well as upcoming CDA contracting opportunities.

CDA and the CMARs will be available to discuss project specifics and answer questions.

To attend the symposium, registrants must fill out an online form.

Oklahoma – The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) issued a request for information (RFI) for product information about computerized maintenance management software.

GRDA intends to use the software to protect its assets, work orders, preventative maintenance, predictive maintenance, and a work execution system capable of scheduling work with user-friendly interfaces.

The utility generates electricity from three hydro projects, one coal fired unit, two natural gas plants, and wind purchased under power purchase agreements. GRDA is required to report all mis-operations, why they happened, and the solution to fix them. In addition, it is responsible for power supplied to many industrial customers in the Mid-America Industrial Park.

RFI submissions are due by 3 p.m. CDT August 17.

Iowa – Mason City Airport commissioners on July 30 selected a $14 million option to completely replace the airport’s terminal building and demolish the existing facility.

Under this option, the airport would build a new 23,631-square-foot single-story terminal and relocate a Federal Aviation Administration and National Weather Service vault to a standalone shelter. Other project features include additional taxiway pavement and adjustment of curbside lanes and parking.

The terminal project is among a host of capital improvements planned for the airport over the next few years.

Commissioners anticipate advertising for bids on the terminal project in summer 2022 as well as starting construction on new hangars and a restaurant. A new $1.6 million taxilane extension is underway that will allow the airport to build public and private hangars.

New York – The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is being led by Janno Lieber, new acting board chair and chief executive officer. Most recently, Lieber served as president of MTA Construction and Development. Before that, he was president of a firm that managed projects at the World Trade Center and served as deputy assistant secretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

Oregon – The city of Manzanita appointed Leila Aman as its new city manager. She succeeded Interim City Manager John Kunkel who filled the position after Cynthia Alamillo resigned in September 2020. Aman previously served as community development director and development manager for the city of Milwaukie, Oregon. 

Virginia – The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport will welcome Mike Stewart as its new executive director, effective in September. Stewart currently serves as Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority vice president and Dulles International Airport manager. Before that, he was vice president of airline business development for the authority and manager of airport administration at Dulles. 

Florida – The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) named Matthew Bocchino as managing director for Cecil Spaceport. Bocchino has worked for JAA for nearly 12 years, most recently serving as senior properties administrator of business development. Before that, he served as development and marketing specialist for Cecil Spaceport. He also worked in operations for the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. 

Missouri – Washington University in St. Louis named Dedric Carter as vice chancellor for innovation and chief commercialization officer. Carter most recently served as the university’s vice chancellor for operations and technology transfer. Prior to that, he served as assistant dean of engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and as senior adviser for strategic initiatives in the Office of the Director of the National Science Foundation. 

Georgia – Cherokee County tapped Brantley Day as director of the county’s Community Development Agency. He succeeds Geoff Morton who was appointed as county manager. Day has served as the community development director for the cities of Woodstock and Holly Springs, as well as the director of operations for the Cumberland Community Improvement District. 

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.