Getting “LinkedIn” with PANYNJ

Did you know that PANYNJ has a new LinkedIn Group dedicated to spreading the word about supplier diversity resources and opportunities?

The just-launched group, “Supplier Diversity Programs at the Port Authority of NY & NJ,” is the latest way to connect with the Port Authority and to stay current on the diverse contracting and subcontracting opportunities available to PANYNJ-certified vendors.

“We’re always looking to expand our base of qualified M/W/D/SBEs,” says Jackie Grossgold of the of the Office of Business and Job Opportunity (OBJO), “ and LinkedIn gives us a convenient forum for connecting with businesses that might be interested in learning how to do business with the Port Authority and what special vendor programs are available to them.”

Grossgold says. “Right now, we’re trying to grow our pool of potential vendors in several key operations service areas.” These areas include:

• Car/truck sales
• Demolition
• Electrical Supplies
• General Contractors - heavy and building
• Ground transportation
• Grounds maintenance
• Hand tools (powered)
• Hardware and related items
• HVAC
• Indoor plant maintenance
• Insurance broker services
• Interior Renovations
• Janitorial supplies
• Landscaping/grounds maintenance
• Locksmith
• Painting
• Paving and Utilities
• Pest control
• Plumbers
• Plumbing Supplies
• Railroad Supplies and Equipment
• Roadway sweeping
• Roofing repair and maintenance
• Safety supplies
• Sign Erection and Fabrication
• Site Work

If you know someone who does business in these areas, please encourage them to apply for PANYNJ certification, create a vendor profile, and join our LinkedIn Group.

According to Hilary McCarron, manager of Port Marketing and the LinkedIn Group’s administrator, the group will be used to notify members of upcoming events, training opportunities and much more. “Building connections is the fastest way small businesses can build their capacity,” says McCarron. “The LinkedIn Group offers M/W/D/SBEs an amazing opportunity to identify companies with complementary services and explore partnerships that can lead to a successful bid on a contract.”

According to McCarron, “When vendors get together at PANYNJ events, there’s such energy in the room — people are eager to share their success stories and help others navigate the opportunities available. Our hope is that this group becomes an online adjunct to our in-person events, and a valuable platform for the ongoing exchange of useful, business-building information.”

Attention DBEs: The ARC Tunnel Project Needs You

Bidding for the third tunnel contract for the new ARC Tunnel, a joint project of the PANYNJ and NJ Transit, is now under way.

The five contractors that were prequalified to proceed to Phase II of the procurement process for the Final Design and Construction of the Hudson River Tunnels recently held pre-bid outreach conferences for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) interested in learning more about subcontracting opportunities. An eight percent DBE goal has been assigned to this project.

During the conferences, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, network with the prime contractor and other potential subcontractors, and learn more about the bid process. Couldn’t be there? Here’s a recap of some important tips shared during the events.

DBE subcontracting requirements

Lisa-Marie Codrington, Acting Director, Contract Compliance of NJ TRANSIT outlined these requirements for DBEs:

• NJ TRANSIT is the lead agency and project owner, therefore, DBEs must be certified by one of the participants in the New Jersey Unified Certification Program (NJUCP) — NJ TRANSIT, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJ DOT), or the Port Authority of NY & NJ.
• You must be certified for the appropriate NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code for the services you’re bidding. For example, if you are bidding on videography services but are certified only for photography, your videography bid will not be eligible for DBE credit. Check your UCP directory listing to be sure it reflects the full scope of your services.
• The DBE must perform 51 percent of the contract with its own workers; work that is sub-contracted out to a non-DBE firm will not count toward the project’s eight percent DBE goal. So consider subbing to a DBE firm first!

Project insurance

NJ TRANSIT implemented an Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) for this project. Enrollment is mandatory for all contractors who will perform work or be on the construction site. In outlining the OCIP program, NJ TRANSIT’s Lisa Caudullo, Director, Risk Management and Insurance suggested that interested subcontractors take the bid documents to their own insurance brokers for review. “That way, you can have a complete understanding of what it takes to participate, and exactly what is covered and what is not,” said Caudullo. Then be sure to include or exclude those specific coverages from your bid documents.

Maximizing your chances for success

• Provide the primes a proposed scope of work and capabilities statement. Be sure to tie your scope of work to the needs of the prime contractor so it is clear what you can and cannot provide and when possible include pricing information.
• Read the entire bid document carefully, recommends Lisa-Marie Codrington, not just the sections that apply to you and make sure you calculate all costs and include it in your bid.
• Contact the prequalified contractors ASAP for details on preliminary scopes of work and available bid documents. Each pre-qualified prime contractor below, if deemed a finalist, will submit their final bid to NJ TRANSIT on October 5th which means they need to have their DBE subcontractors identified and selected by late September.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Shea/Schiavone/Kenny, Joint Venture
Main contact: Dennis Poulton
dennis.poulton@jfshea.com

ARC Constructors, a Joint Venture of S.A. Healy Company and CCA
Main contact: Tara Gallagher
Tgallagher71@gmail.com or (845) 735-3511

FCC Construccion, S.A. and Ferreira Construction, a Joint Venture
Main contact: Paula Camargo
pcamargo.rascny@verizon.net or (212) 268-2991

OHL / Tully
Main contact:Tara Gallicchio, DBE Liason
tgallicchio@tullyconstruction.com or (718) 446-7000 Ext. 293
or
Brian Giraldo, Procurement
quotes@tullyconstruction.com

Grands Projects (Skanska USA /Traylor Bros / VINCI Construction)
Main contact: vincent.krause@skanska.com or (718) 746-2809

What if you are not selected for this team?

Find out what’s next. Educate yourself and learn more about upcoming contracts! Visit www.thetunnelproject.com to view preliminary documents for the Excavation of New York Penn Station Expansion and Interlocking Cavern or drawings for the Amtrak Tower Relocation project, NJ Surface Alignment contracts and the Frank R. Lautenberg Station Modification contract.

Curious who is on a prime contractor’s DBE Plan?
NJ Transit is now posting Prime Contractor and DBE team information on www.thetunnelproject.com

Get Noticed: Creating a Powerful Capabilities Statement

For many M/W/D/SBEs, the creation of a corporate capabilities statement is the next step after certification to pursuing and securing a contract. But what makes a great capabilities statement and how exactly do you use it?

Think of your corporate capabilities statement as your firm’s résumé — a single, neatly formatted sheet that gives potential “employers” an at-a-glance overview of your company’s capabilities and unique strengths.

“Your capabilities statement should make it easy for a prime contractor to see that you meet their needs on a particular project,” says Elizabeth Perdomo, project director for the Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, NY. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the SBTRC offers counseling and technical assistance to companies looking to gain government transportation contracts.

Putting your best foot forward

According to Perdomo, a strong capabilities statement should include the following:

• Brief company history
• Bios of the firm’s principals, including years of experience
• Services offered with accompanying NAICS or SIC codes
• Certifications held
• Licenses or special training
• Unique machinery or equipment owned
• DUNS # (if you have one)
• Recent contracts completed
• Brief client list
• Contact information, including website, email address, landline and cell phone numbers

All key information should appear on one page, though you can certainly attach a more detailed client list or description of products and services as needed.

Standing out from the crowd

So, now that you have a great capabilities statement, how exactly do you use it? Perdomo recommends distributing it at matchmaking events, DBE conferences, and other events where prime contractors are in attendance. “It’s always better to hand someone your capabilities statement in person, so they can associate it with your face. If you mail or email it later, you’re missing out on an opportunity to be remembered,” she explains.

Finally, keep your capabilities statement in an easy-to-update format. “It’s not always necessary to spend money on a fancy brochure that’s one size fits all. By keeping it simple, you can tailor the information on your capabilities statement to the type of project you’re bidding. That demonstrates the value you bring to the table and shows the prime you have the experience they need,” noted Perdomo.

For more information on capabilities statements and the services offered by the SBTRC, contact Elizabeth Perdomo, Project Director, at (718) 482-5941 or eperdomo@lagcc.cuny.edu

Video on WTC BRC Services Is Now One Click Away

The World Trade Center Business Resource Center (WTC BRC), located at 115 Broadway in downtown Manhattan, offers a vast range of services to certified minority, women-owned, and small business enterprises (M/W/SBEs) and learning about them is now just one click away. In addition to our Web site, ongoing emails and newsletters, and direct mail, businesses can now view a comprehensive video on services offered at the WTC BRC. The center gives businesses vital access to information on upcoming contracting and subcontracting opportunities with WTC redevelopment contractors, consultations on accessing technical and financial assistance, construction management training, business seminars and workshops, as well as other relevant courses offered by our training partners. To take advantage of these services, call 212-435-7843 or email WTCbrc@panynj.gov.

Watch the Video

WTC Transportation HUB Networking Event: August 17

Don't miss this opportunity! Come and find out about upcoming contracting opportunities for the World Trade Center Transportation HUB Project. The Port Authority of NY & NJ and Tishman/Turner, A Joint Venture are sponsoring a M/WBE Networking Event for the World Trade Center Transportation HUB Project Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, at the Marriott New York Downtown, 85 West Street at Albany Street, New York, NY 10006. The event is FREE, but registration is required.

Hold the Date: 2010 Buyer’s Exchange on November 4

When it comes to leveling the playing field for M/W/SBEs to compete more effectively, you won’t find a more important networking event than the Port Authority’s Buyer’s Exchange.

Thursday, November 4
8:30 AM – Noon
Hilton Newark Penn Station
Gateway Center at Raymond Blvd, Newark, NJ

Attendees can connect directly with PANYNJ buyers, as well as a host of prime contractors who work with M/W/SBE subcontractors in their Port Authority contracts and other operations.

Though you need not be certified by The Port Authority to attend this event, the benefits of certification are numerous.

See what opportunities lie ahead — including on the ARC Tunnel and World Trade Center projects — and begin your planning for 2011 and beyond. Watch your email for registration details, and polish up your capabilities statement for this free event!

Events

Events	Date
DBE Capacity Building Seminars to support the Tunnel Project	Thursday, August 26 Thursday, October 21 Thursday, December 16
Competitive Edge Conference	Thursday, August 12, 2010

Contacts

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