DBE E-Newsletter
March, 2009 - Vol 1, Issue 2 |
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| Quick Links |
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VTrans Links
Government
Contracting Opportunities
Technical Assistance Service Providers
DBE Useful Links
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Stimulus Provides Business Opportunities
For VTrans Contractors and Consultants |
The recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) features a significant amount of funding for the nation's transportation infrastructure. Vermont hopes to receive as much as $130 million to make much needed repairs and improvements throughout the state.
As we went to press, the DBE E-News obtained these reflections from the VTrans Secretary of Transportation, David Dill:
"Thoughtful use of federal stimulus money is important for the obvious reason of economic development and putting people to work. We all understand the importance of this money, and the need for us to use it wisely.
How we use stimulus funds will be watched very closely, therefore an equally important part of this process is transparency of our systems and accountability of our actions. Stimulus funds come with no relaxation of normal rules associated with using federal highway funds, including those that apply to DBE and Davis Bacon wage rates. Our actions will be watched closely, and our success or failure will be published in very visible ways. It is extremely important that we do this right, not only because we don't want to jeopardize future funding availability, but because it is the proper thing to do.
VTrans has an absolute responsibility to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of federally funded contracts and to create a level playing field on which DBEs as well as all small businesses can compete fairly for the opportunity to participate in all federally funded contracts, including all the new Stimulus projects."
USDOT's Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration have created web sites to provide the most up-to-date information on the status of this funding, including preliminary funding formulas, use and eligibility of funds, and questions and answers. Visit these links to learn more:
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 DBE Spotlight - Mary O'Leary |
 Mary O'Leary
EIV Technical Services, LLC
Waterbury, Vermont
Mary O'Leary has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the area of environmental consulting and permitting and has been working in this field for 23 years. She initially started her professional career as a geologist looking at drilling projects on contaminated sites and became more interested in preventing contamination rather than cleaning up afterward. This led her to successfully embark on obtaining her Master's Degree at Cornell University and then begin working on water quality issues.
Mary started up her business, EIV Technical Services, LLC 13 years ago and has been a certified DBE for 12 of those years. She now employees a staff of 4 full-time and 2 part-time in the winter months and 12 full-time staff in the busy summer months.
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| Stimulus Bill Changes to SBA Programs |
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law Feb. 17, 2009, makes significant changes to SBA's lending and investment programs. For a synopsis of new and enhanced SBA resources, please visit the SBA web site.
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| VTrans Staff: Dennis Benjamin, Environmental Specialist Supervisor |
Dennis Benjamin
VTrans Environmental Section
Environmental Specialist Supervisor
Q: Tell us about the work of your section.
A: Our section is responsible for assessing the presence of cultural and natural resources in VTrans projects, coordinating review and approval of VTrans projects by federal and state regulators, documenting environmental impacts under federal law, obtaining land use permits, and managing environmental work completed by various consultants. Q: What kinds of consultants do you regularly hire?
A: We have three areas: archeology, biological services, and environmental services. The latter also includes historic preservation. We have two "general services contracts" for environmental services and biological services. Some design contracts, outside of our office, include environmental services such as wetland mitigation and stormwater management. Q: Who should a business owner contact if they are interested in working with your section?
A: People should contact me or John Narowski, P.E., Environmental Services Engineer with technical questions. Firms are required to prequalify with Contract Administration Q: What recommendations would you make to firms that want to bid on future contracts with your section?
A: Business owners should undertake some research, such as:
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| USDOT Short Term Lending Program |
To help small businesses gain access to the financing they need to participate in transportation-related contracts, OSDBU's Financial Assistance Division manages the Short-Term Lending Program (STLP). STLP provides certified DBE's and other certified small businesses short term working capital financing at competitive interest rates for DOT or DOT funded contracts and subcontracts. Firms That Can Participate in STLP
The three types of businesses that are eligible to receive a loan through STLP are:
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Firms that have received DBE certification from a state or local transportation agency;
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Firms that have been certified by the SBA as a Small Business; and
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Firms that have received a disability rating by the Veteran's Administration and have certified themselves as a SDVOSB.
Start-up businesses are not eligible to receive a STLP line of credit and should contact the SBA for information about other possible forms of financial assistance.
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| American Council of Engineering Companies of Vermont (ACEC/VT) |
 In preparation for the next meeting of VTrans and ACEC/VT on March 11th, the DBE News caught up with Greg Edwards, who chairs these quarterly meetings. Greg is a Principal in the South Burlington office of Stantec, a global engineering firm. Q: What is the topic of the upcoming VTrans and ACEC/VT meeting?
A: This quarter we'll be talking about the contracting procedures, including the negotiation process. With the economic stimulus imminent, understanding contract negotiation is crucial for consultants. Q: What are other topics you've discussed with VTrans staff?
A: In the past, we've discussed design-build and the consultant selection process. ACEC's focus is primarily on the operations of running a business, not the technical aspects of our work. Q: What are the benefits of ACEC/VT membership?
A: It's a fantastic network of about 30 firms, representing 450 staff people. We meet regularly to talk about the industry and trends we're seeing. There is also an affiliate membership which includes surveyors, landscape architects, planners, and others who support the work of engineers. Membership allows business people to attend our general meetings, committee meetings, and provides access to the national association's trainings and publications. Q: Are there other areas, beyond transportation, that are a focus for ACEC/VT?A: We have a committee that works directly with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). This committee has been looking at legislation as well as stormwater and wastewater issues. We expect to establish another committee that will meet with the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS). ACEC/VT is offering an educational seminar on professional liability insurance on April 20, 2009 at the Sheraton in South Burlington (link to: http://www.acecvt.org/calendar/ ).
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| Consultants: Network with Successful Peers! |
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Join us for the next ACEC/VTrans quarterly meeting on March 11, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Following the meeting, the DBE Program will offer a brown bag lunch to give you an opportunity to meet and network.
Talk with DBE firms who are active members of ACEC and with our Contract Administration staff to learn more about the requirements to be qualified as a consultant on VTrans contracts. The brown bag lunch will be in the VTrans 5th Floor Board Room from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Read more about ACEC in this months issue.
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| Vermont Business Development Program (VBDP) |
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We're very pleased to welcome eleven VTrans-certified DBEs to the new Vermont Business Development Program (VBDP). The program is designed to help participants sharpen their business skills and broaden their success. Customized assistance includes free one-on-one business counseling and coaching, individualized needs assessment and goal setting, and an action plan. Assistance includes financial planning, marketing, networking, and training.
The DBEs selected for this first round are a diverse group of businesses, representing a broad spectrum of disciplines within the transportation industry, with different staff sizes and experience in business. Despite the different business goals and objectives inherent in these disparities, all of the DBEs in the program share many things in common: they are all talented, hard working professionals, who are committed to becoming more successful and taking advantage of this unique opportunity to use a business coach to build on their strengths. We congratulate them all on taking this important first step. |
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A. Marcelino & Company, Inc.
Alan Marcelino
P. O. Box 195
(4050 Williston Road)
Williston, VT 05495
Scope of Work: Asphalt Paving and General Contractor, Crushing and Screening Operation |
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Batchelder Associates, P.C.
Bonnie K. Batchelder, CPA
1 Conti Circle
Barre, VT 05641
Scope of Work Certified Public Accounting Firm, Taxes, Consulting
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Buxton Drafting Services
Lori Buxton
4049 Williston Road, Suite 9
So. Burlington, VT 05403
Scope of Work: Drafting-Electrical, Civil, Mechanical, Architectural, and Structural Cad Drafting. |
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EIV Technical Services, LLC
Mary O'Leary
93 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05676
Scope of Work: Environmental Consulting, Permitting, Wetlands Delineation, Natural Resource Assessment, Surveying, CADD,Mapping, Construction Inspection, Including Erosion Control Inspection. Read More |
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FRP Enterprises, LLC
Francine Perkins
420 Windy Wood Road
Barre, VT 05641
Scope of Work: Public Relations, Paralegal Services and General Administrative Services
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J. P. Sicard, Inc.
Jason Sicard
P. O. Box 508
(1369 Glover Road)
Barton, VT 05822
Scope of Work: General Excavating, Water & Sewer Mains, Drainage, Bridge/Large Culverts, Sidewalk, and Curbing. |
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Little River Survey Company, LLC
Patricia S. Kules, LS
P. O. Box 1208
(3283 Pucker Street)
Stowe, VT 05672-1208
Scope of Work: Land Surveying; Construction and Engineering Surveys; Engineering Services; Topographic, Airport & Hazardous Waste Site And GPS Surveys; Drafting Services in Autocad and Microstation; Large Document Copying and Scanning, Wetlands Delineation |
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Nicom Coatings Corporation
Robin C. Nicholson
P. O. Box 727
(140 Industrial Lane - Berlin)
Barre, VT 05641
Scope of Work: Pavement Sealcoating, Crack Filling, Joint Repair, Asphalt Slurry Seal, Bridge Deck Membranes, Bridge Rail. |
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Para-Med Plus, Inc.
Louise Sylvain
27 Gable Place
Barre, VT 05641
Scope of Work: Occupational Health Services, Including Audiometry, Pulmonary Function, Lead Screening, Drug & Alcohol Collection & Testing Services - Including MRO, Random Pool Mgt & Training, Phlebotomy Services - Health Screening Service, Including Studies & Interview
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Phoenix Chemistry Services
Deborah H. Gaynor
126 Covered Bridge Road
N. Ferrisburg, VT 05473
Scope of Work Management, Scientific and Consulting Svcs, Environmental Consulting Services, Other Scientific & Tech.Consulting Services, Research and Development in the Physical Engineering & Life Sciences, Computer Training, Colleges, Universities & Professional Schools |
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Ryebrook Construction, Inc.
Linda Labbe
1464 North Bayley Hazen Road
East Ryegate, VT 05042
Tel: (802) 584-4250 Fax: (802) 584-4133
E-mail: rlmeadow@aol.com
Scope of Work: Road / Bridge Construction, Including Drainage Work, Sidewalks, Curbing, Retaining Walls, Erosion Control, Pipe and Dirt Work. |
| Conference and Workshops on Vermont's Stake in The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act |
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Free Workshops On Small Business Aid, Help for Families, Infrastructure Improvements, Health Care and Education, and First Responders
Leahy And Douglas Set March 6th Conference To Ramp Up Vermont's Readiness To Invest Stimulus Bill's Resources In Strengthening State's Economy
Vermonters interested in additional information and in seeing a program agenda should visit http://leahy.senate.gov/ or call 1-800-642-3193. Participants are asked to register in advance.
Conference and Workshops on Vermont's Stake in The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act
Friday, March 6th, at 1 p.m.
265 South Willard Street, IDX Student Life Center, Champlain College, Burlington
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| Name the E-News - Time is Running Out! |
We need a name for this newsletter! Working Smarter? Building Opportunities? Inside Track? Hmmm...naming an e-newsletter isn't as easy as you would think! Please help us come up with a catchy name for our new publication. If we use your idea, we'll feature you and your business or organization in a future issue. Email your best suggestions to: Colleen Montague by March 15, 2009. Thanks! |
| US DOT Seeks Innovative Research Proposals from Small Businesses |
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U.S. DOT Seeks Innovative Research Proposals from Small Businesses to Address Transportation Challenges.
Small businesses are invited to submit innovative research proposals that address high priority national transportation goals during the solicitation period, which runs from Feb. 13th through April 15th.
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| Free Business-Building Webinars |
The University of Vermont offers a series of webinars on topics of interest to entrepreneurs. The March 11th session will discuss business planning; April 8th, "Tips and Tricks for Successful Farmers Markets"; and May 13th, Finding Your Target Market."
To take part, go to the Adobe Connect Pro meeting room about 10 minutes prior to the start time. At the login screen, select "Enter as a Guest" and enter your name and state and click "enter room" to join the webinar. The webinar allows participants to hear the audio and participate in the Q&A portion of the session.
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| Calendar of Events |
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March 6th, 2009
Conference and Workshops on Vermont's Stake in The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act
265 South Willard Street, IDX Student Life Center, Champlain College, Burlington
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March 10th, 2009
VTrans / AGC Meeting,
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Agency of Transportation, Montpelier, VT |
March 10th 2009
"Where's the Dough?"
Preserve your Cash Flow
Tactics, Tips, Techniques for Tight Times
9:00 a.m. - 11 a.m. (Online)
For more information visit VtSBDC |
March 11th 2009
VTrans / ACEC Quarterly Meeting
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Agency of Transportation, Montpelier, VT |
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March 11th 2009
VTrans / DBE Brown Bag Lunch
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Agency of Transportation, Montpelier, VT (read more) |
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April 7th, 2009
SBA Free Loan Clinic
US Small Business Administration (SBA)
9AM-10AM OR Noon - 1PM
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May 1st 2009Matchmaker Event Stimulating Green: Navigating the Economic Stimulus & Winning Government Contracts Sheraton Conference Center, So. Burlington VT (read article) |
| Welcome New DBE |
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Eggleston Environmental
Elizabeth Eggleston
55 Old Coach Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
Scope of Work: Environmental Engineering and Consulting Services NAICS Code:541330
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| DBE Spotlight continued |
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Mary shared her insights about being a successful DBE and how to best maximize business opportunities at VTrans:
Q: What are the biggest rewards of being a small business owner, and what are the biggest challenges?
The biggest rewards are the flexibility to direct the business in new ways, to hire good people, and to set the atmosphere in the office. We have a light-hearted and fun approach to our work. The biggest challenge is having the cash flow to make payroll, especially when we're working as a sub on government contracts.
Q: What types of services is EIV currently performing on VTrans-funded projects?
We will be completing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a bridge project. We have a biological services contract that involves wetland delineation, mitigation, and permitting. We are also working on an Act 250 permit for roadway and construction and environmental inspections.
Q: What percentage of your business is VTrans-funded projects?
It varies between 30 and 60 percent of our business.
Q: How do you stay informed of upcoming contracting opportunities?
I utilize the Think Vermont site (www.thinkvermont.org), the VTrans Contract Administration site (http://www.aot.state.vt.us/conadmin/consult.htm), and I visit VTrans frequently to learn about upcoming projects.
Q: What are the most critical performance measures that account for your repeat business on VTrans-funded projects?
Our success can be attributed to being able to respond quickly to the needs of the Agency because we are local, we know Vermont, and we know the Agency personnel. We have a track record of performing on-time and on-budget with quality work. VTrans knows us and trusts that we have the experience to deliver projects successfully.
Q: In what ways has membership in ACEC been beneficial to you?
I find the quarterly meetings with VTrans very helpful in order to learn about upcoming projects. I'm one of the few subcontractors who attend those meetings and I'm able to stay visible to prime contractors and VTrans staff. ACEC has excellent speakers and the organization alerts members about upcoming legislation and training events.
Mary O'Leary's Advice to DBEs
- Keep your business visible. Take every opportunity to introduce your business to
VTrans personnel and prime contractors.
- Meet VTrans Division Heads. Visit them often.
- Introduce yourself to prime contractors. See #1.
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Our first newsletter was distributed to over 600 businesses, technical services providers, and government agencies and departments! Thank you for all the feedback on our February issue and keep those comments coming!
My sincere thanks to our consultant Diane Meyerhoff of Third Sector Associates and Lori Valburn, Chief of Civil Rights, VTrans for all their continued help.
Sincerely,
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Colleen Montague ●DBE Program Manager ● Vermont Agency of Transportation
Email: colleen.montague@state.vt.us ● Tel: (802) 828-2715
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