Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

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GDOT announces $828.8 million in projects to transform Ga. 316

April 7, 2021 By Andrew Smith

Governor Brian P. Kemp and the Georgia Department of Transportation recently announced a series of reconstruction projects that will remove existing signalized intersections, address side road stopped intersections, and replace current at-grade separations with interchanges along 35 miles of Ga. 316 in Gwinnett, Barrow, and Oconee counties.

The proposed improvements are based on crash data and current and future traffic congestion predictions in the northeastern portion of the state.  Each project is designed to improve traffic flow and reduce the number of crashes on the newly upgraded freeway-style corridor.

 

Continue reading at:  AJC

 

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: DBE, DOT, GDOT

GDOT awards $229M contract to rebuild Macon interchange

March 22, 2021 By Andrew Smith

The Georgia Dept. of Transportation took a big step forward in its estimated $500-million effort to reconstruct an important Macon interstate corridor, awarding a $229-million contract to a joint venture of two contractors seeking to expand their presence in the state.

Continue reading at:  ENR

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: GDOT, highway

GDOT reports it awarded $60 million in construction contracts in January

March 8, 2021 By Andrew Smith

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) reports that it awarded 25 construction contracts in January of this year for statewide transportation projects totaling $60,038,396.

The largest single investment, worth approximately $9.6 million, was awarded to Plant Improvement Company, Inc. to widen and reconstruct 1.44 miles of roadway on State Route 40 from west of Grove Boulevard to Truss Plant Road in Camden County.  This project will add additional turn lanes on State Route 40.

This contract, with one other widening and reconstruction contract, represents 17 percent or $10.1 million of the awarded funds.

Continue reading at:  AllOnGeorgia

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: construction, GDOT

The importance of annual no change affidavits for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

January 23, 2020 By Andrew Smith

Every year on the anniversary date of your Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification, the regulations require that your company file an “affidavit of no change.”  49 C.F.R. § 26.83(j).  This affidavit must be completed by the firm’s owner(s) and requires that you provide a copy of your firm’s most recent federal business tax return.  A copy of Georgia’s “no change” affidavit is available here:  http://www.dot.ga.gov/PartnerSmart/Business/Documents/GUCP%20Annual%20-%20No%20Change%20Affidavit%20-%20UPDATED%201-15-2016.pdf (note:  The original linked article provides a link to the Penn. DOT affidavit.  I have provided a link to the Georgia DOT (GDOT) “No Change” Affidavit because most of our readers are Georgia based companies. – Andrew Smith, GTPAC Program Manager)

The requirement of the filing of the “affidavit of no change” is very strict, and the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) will not accept any excuses.  You should calendar the due date in multiple places, along with calendaring reminders to provide sufficient notice to complete the affidavit.

Continue reading at:  JD Supra

Filed Under: Contracting Tips Tagged With: DBE, GDOT, No Change Affidavit

USG holding annual procurement expo in Savannah on Oct. 24

August 18, 2017 By Andrew Smith

The University System of Georgia (USG) invites all vendors to come to the 11th USG Procurement Expo — this year hosted by Armstrong State University in Savannah, Georgia.

At USG Procurement Expo 2017 you will explore business opportunities with the University System of Georgia. Network with federal, state, and local agencies and prime construction management firms.

The luncheon program will highlight business opportunities with Georgia’s ports, Chatham County, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, and the City of Savannah.

Other features of this year’s event:

  • Includes sessions on navigating the procurement process of the University System of Georgia. Meet buyers and contracting officers from the public colleges and universities of the State of Georgia.
  • Network with representatives from the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, Georgia Department of Transportation, federal, state, and local government agencies.
  • Meet prime construction management firms currently working with the University System of Georgia.

SCHEDULE – Tuesday, October 24, 2017

8:30AM Registration

10:00AM Morning Session

Navigating the University System of Georgia procurement process in the areas of construction projects, facilities management, and general procurement

General Procurement

  • Moderator: Ms. Daphne Burch, USG Procurement Expo 2017 Co-chair and Procurement Director, Armstrong State University

Construction/Facilities Management

  • Moderator: Ms. Katie Twining, Associate Vice President fo Facilities,     Georgia Southern University

12:15PM Luncheon Program

This year we will explore business opportunities with the Savannah ports and shipping industry.

  • Moderator: Mr. Vince “The Voice” Bailey, Vince Bailey Productions

Luncheon Panel:

  • Mr. Bart Gobeil, Senior Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs, Georgia Ports Authority
  • Ms. Peggy Joyner, CPPO, Purchasing Director, Chatham County Purchasing & Contracting
  • Ms. MarRonde Lumpkin-Lotson, SEC Administrator, Savannah Entrepreneurial Center
  • Ms. Sabrina Scales, Director of Finance and Business, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System

2:00PM Exhibits Open

Visit with procurement officials from the University System of Georgia, federal, state, and local agencies, and prime construction management firms.

Location:

Armstrong State University

Armstrong Center
13040 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419

Hotel Information:

When registering, please mention that you are attending an event at Armstrong State University and would like the Armstrong rate.

Fairfield Inn I-95 South, 17027 Abercorn Street, Savannah 31419 – Call 912-925-5050 for the Armstrong Rate: $91

Springhill Suites by Marriott, 11317 Abercorn Street, Savannah – Call 912-920-3784 for the Armstrong Rate: $96

TownPlace Suites by Marriott, 11309 Abercorn Street, Savannah – Call 912-920-9080 for the Armstrong Rate: $84

Cancellation Policy:

Due to pre-registration costs and guarantees, refunds or credits are not extended for this event. However, registrations are transferable. On the day of the event, the substitute attendee must present a copy of the registration receipt or email verification to be admitted to the event.

Photo Release:

By registering for this event, I grant to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia the right to take photographs of me and my property in connection with the USG Procurement Expo. I authorize the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to use and publish the same in print and/or electronically. I agree that the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia may use such photographs of me with or without my name and for any lawful purpose including, for example, such purposes as publicity and web content.

Use this link to Register Now!

Filed Under: GTPAC News Tagged With: Armstrong State University, contracting opportunities, GA DOAS, GDOT, networking, SLED, state and local government, University System of Georgia

GDOT kicks off $500 million highway interchange project near Macon

June 27, 2017 By Andrew Smith

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) last week broke ground on a $500 million highway interchange project near Macon, GA, according to Equipment World.

The Interstate 16/Interstate 75 interchange improvement project will separate local traffic from through traffic, which GDOT officials said would reduce the number of accidents. The upgrades should also ease general congestion, improve access to downtown Macon and improve travel conditions between the Port of Savannah and Atlanta.

In order to minimize negative impact on traffic, the project will be delivered in seven phases, with the first phase’s completion scheduled for summer 2018. GDOT has awarded contracts totaling $268.8 million for the first four phases.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.constructiondive.com/news/ga-kicks-off-500m-highway-interchange-project/445584/

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: construction, contracting opportunities, GDOT, highway

Georgia DOT opens small business help center

September 1, 2016 By Andrew Smith

Eligible small firms that want to pursue business opportunities with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) now have a resource specifically designed to enable them to do just that.

GDOTGeorgia DOT’s State Supported Funding Program has opened a Business Resource Help Center to assist eligible disadvantaged business enterprises, and registered small and veteran-owned businesses in identifying and responding to business opportunities funded by the Transportation Funding Act of 2015. These include a backlog of statewide routine maintenance projects like crack sealing; pothole repair; concrete slab repair; drainage work; roadway striping; guardrail repair; right-of-way clearing; vegetation maintenance; tree trimming; mowing; litter pick-up and more. These routine maintenance activities offer DBEs and small and medium-sized businesses—who may have not previously worked with Georgia DOT—the opportunity to establish themselves as a qualified contractor to bid on projects.

Keep reading this article at: http://metroatlantaceo.com/news/2016/08/georgia-dot-opens-small-business-help-center/

Learn more about GDOT’s State Supported Funding Program at: http://gdotstateprojects.com/ 

Filed Under: GTPAC News Tagged With: DBE, GDOT, transportation, USDOT

GA-based construction firm to pay $1 million to settle alleged DBE-related False Claims violations

April 15, 2015 By ei2admin

C.W. Matthews Contracting Company (C.W. Matthews), a Marietta, GA-based construction firm, has agreed to pay $1 million dollars to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act almost eight years ago by submitting false and misleading certifications to the Government regarding: 1) work performed on several federally funded highway construction projects; as well as 2) the company’s compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE Program).

DBE ownership and controlThe agreement was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Georgia on Monday, April 13, 2015.

Additionally, C.W. Matthews has reached a separate settlement with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, pursuant to which the company has agreed to: 1) adopt an ethics code and a corporate compliance program; 2) appoint a compliance officer; and 3) retain an independent monitor to assess its performance.

“To receive the tangible and intangible benefits that it contracts for, the United States expects companies that actively seek and obtain federally funded contracts to be diligent and forthright in fulfilling their contractual obligations to the Government,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John Horn.

The settlement concerns false certifications that C.W. Matthews provided the Government regarding its compliance with requirements associated with the DBE Program.  Pursuant to the DBE Program, federally funded construction contracts contain DBE clauses, which require that a specified percentage of the work be sub-contracted to firms meeting the statutory definition of a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).

As a precondition to bidding, a contractor must acknowledge the project’s DBE goals, and then identify the DBE that it proposes to subcontract with if awarded the contract.  Additionally, DBE regulations (49 C.F.R. § 26.55) require “real and substantial” work performed by a “viable” and “independent” DBE firm, and state that “there cannot be a contrived arrangement for the purpose of meeting DBE goals.”  The DBE Program is intended to ensure that DBEs are able to compete for federal construction contracts.

Between 2006 and 2007, C.W. Matthews was awarded several highway construction contracts that contained DBE clauses.  In bidding on the contracts, C.W. Matthews promised to subcontract with a DBE firm called Longoria Trucking (Longoria) to satisfy the contracts’ DBE goals.  As work progressed, C.W. Matthews submitted the requisite DBE Reports to the Government, which: 1) described work Longoria had purportedly performed; and 2) quantified the monetary amounts purportedly paid to Longoria.

The Government’s investigation revealed that the DBE reports submitted by C.W. Matthews were false and misleading as, in truth, it was a non-DBE trucking firm called G.E. Robinson – not Longoria – that performed most of the work, and received most of the payments, described in the reports.  Indeed, the investigation revealed that G.E. Robinson used Longoria as a “front” to obtain, and receive payment under, the applicable contracts.  As a non-DBE firm, G.E. Robinson was ineligible to even bid on these subcontracts.  To circumvent this restriction, G.E. Robinson assumed the identify of, and controlled, Longoria, which did little work and was paid a small fee by G.E. Robinson for its complicity.

The investigation revealed C.W. Matthews either knew, or should have known, of the scheme between Longoria and G.E. Robinson.  However, despite this knowledge, C.W. Matthews continued issuing false and misleading certifications to the Government regarding Longoria’s role in the applicable highway projects.

In certifying that Longoria was performing work under the contracts, despite clear signs that the work was actually being performed by G.E. Robinson, C.W. Matthews, at minimum, was either reckless or deliberately indifferent.

Source: http://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/press/2015/04-13-15.html

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: DBE, DOJ, DOT, False Claims Act, FHWA, front, GDOT, sham, small disadvantaged business

Georgia DOT hosts statewide DBE conference Sept. 10th

August 13, 2013 By ei2admin

The support services consultant to the Georgia Department of Transportation, MH Miles Company CPA, PC, is holding a statewide “Blueprint for Success” Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013.

The theme of the day-long conference, “Delivering Results, Building Partnerships, Executing with Excellence,” is designed to give disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) fundamental tools to ensure a solid infrastructure for managing a successful business.  The conference’s objective is to create an opportunity to establish relationships with industry experts, prime contractors, and GDOT personnel.  The conference will include:

  • Technical Assistance Workshops
  • A Networking Event
  • Presentation on Upcoming GDOT projects

Registration is required by August 26, 2013.  Registration can be accomplished on-line at: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=6forsuhab&oeidk=a07e7x0l8m3d390b6ca&oseq=

The event is being held at the Emory Conference Center Hotel, 1615 Clifton Road, Decatur, GA 30329.

Questions about this event may be directed to:

Anthony Miles
DBE Supportive Services Administrator
MHMiles Company CPA, PC
amiles@mhm-cpa.com
404-633-4555

Filed Under: GTPAC News Tagged With: DBE, GDOT, government contract training, networking, small disadvantaged business

GDOT audit finds flaws in disadvantaged business certification process

December 3, 2012 By ei2admin

An audit completed amid concerns about airport contracts found flaws in the Georgia Department of Transportation’s process to certify businesses with “disadvantaged” status for government contracts. The internal audit discovered calculation errors in more than two-thirds of the sampling of applications it reviewed.

The findings of the audit raise questions about the disadvantaged business certification process GDOT had been using, but it’s not clear how many of the applicants reviewed went on to win contracts.

The “disadvantaged business enterprise” certifications give firms special consideration, since agencies set goals to award a certain percentage of contracts to disadvantaged firms.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.ajc.com/news/business/gdot-audit-finds-flaws-in-disadvantaged-business-c/nTHtQ/.

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: airport concessions, audit, certification, City of Atlanta, DBE, DOT, FAA, FHWA, GDOT, net worth, small disadvantaged business

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