Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Training
    • Class Registration
    • On-demand Training
    • GTPAC COVID-19 Resource Page
    • Veterans Verification Video
    • Other Training Audio & Video
  • Useful Links
  • Team Directory
    • Albany Counselor
    • Atlanta Counselors
    • Augusta Counselor
    • Carrollton Counselor
    • Columbus Counselor
    • Gainesville Counselor
    • Savannah Counselor
    • Warner Robins Counselor
  • Directions
    • Atlanta – Training Facility
    • Atlanta – Office
    • Albany
    • Augusta
    • Carrollton
    • Columbus
    • Gainesville
    • Savannah
    • Warner Robins
  • COVID-19
  • New Client Application
  • Contact Us

Atlanta FRB: Small firms face challenges to find workers

February 25, 2019 By Andrew Smith

Amid a largely positive Beige Book report by the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) on economic conditions in the Southeast, some small businesses report particular challenges competing with larger companies for a dwindling pool of available workers.

Across the board, businesses continued to report pressure to increase wages for low-skill, hourly jobs, notably in the hospitality and retail industries. That’s good news for workers.

But the January 16 report notes, “Challenges with escalating wage pressure were especially acute among small businesses.”

Growing numbers of Americans are switching jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  In that context, the past few Beige Book reports have captured a powerful focus on retaining employees in a tight labor market. The latest Beige Book includes a couple of newer nuggets:

  • The particular challenges facing smaller employers, and reports from a few contacts in construction, manufacturing, and health services that they are overstaffing certain jobs to prepare for anticipated growth, figuring it will be difficult to find people in the coming months.

Even as many confront hiring challenges, retailers across the Sixth Federal Reserve District reported steady holiday sales. Not surprisingly, online sales grew faster than those at traditional stores.  Travel and tourism contacts also reported growth in business and leisure travel.

In other sectors:

  • Companies reported input costs kept climbing, especially for products affected by tariffs.  So far, most firms report passing along tariff-related price increase with no serious impact on profit margins.
  • Demand for renewable power continued to grow compared to electricity generated by coal, gas, or nuclear plants.
  • In many parts of the district, sales of existing homes were flat or declined. Home construction is lagging demand, as builders focus on higher-priced houses in popular submarkets.
  • Commercial real estate reports were generally upbeat. Vacancy rates continued to decline, fueled by the industrial, multifamily, and medical sectors. In fact, demand for industrial space, such as big distribution centers, continues to exceed supply. However, contacts reported ongoing concerns about bankruptcies and generally difficult conditions among traditional big-box retailers.
  • Cargo shipments were up among contacts at seaports, air freight haulers, and railroads. Logistics firms reported higher volumes of packages delivered during the holidays compared to the previous year.
  • Financial institutions generally reported that conditions held steady.  Higher interest rates boosted net margins at most banks, while growth in loan volumes continued but at a slower pace, especially in real estate.  While measures of loan quality stayed mostly strong, some lenders noted increases in late payments by consumers.
  • In the farming business, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated counties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi as natural disaster areas because of damages and losses from hurricanes and flooding.

Source: https://www.frbatlanta.org/economy-matters/regional-economics/beige-book/2019/01/16/beige-book-small-firms-face-challenges-to-find-workers

Filed Under: Contracting Tips Tagged With: Bureau of Labor Statistics, cargo, farming, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve Bank, interest rates, real estate, small business, tariffs, transportation, wage rates, workforce

USDOT is on the hunt for automation, blockchain and more

February 21, 2019 By Andrew Smith

The U.S. Department of Transportation is looking to fund a new slate of emerging technology applications, including automation and blockchain.

USDOT opened the fiscal 2019 solicitation for its Small Business Innovation Research program Tuesday, calling on small businesses to provide solutions focused in 12 topic areas:

  • Automated Detection of Broken Spike Fasteners in Wood Tie Railroad Track
  • Automated Driving Systems Test Data Interface
  • Automated, Drone-Based Grade Crossing Inspection
  • Cost Allocation Technology for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
  • Improved Condition Monitoring of Traction Motors
  • Inline-Inspection Tool for Detecting Coating Defects/Disbondment of Coating
  • Innovative, Low-Cost Methods for Concrete Bridge Deck Assessment
  • In-Vehicle Highway Rail Grade Crossing Alert System
  • Portable Stiffness/Elastic Modulus Measurement System
  • Secure Motor Carrier Safety Data Information Exchange Using Blockchain
  • Vehicle Communication via Induction Paint
  • Wireless Pore Water Pressure Sensor

The SBIR program is administered by the Small Business Administration and includes 11 federal agencies that award R&D contracts to fund and mature new potential technology applications.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.fedscoop.com/dot-opens-solicitation-new-innovative-technologies/

How to Apply
  • Read the 2019 Solicitation for information about the 2019 topics and about proposal requirements.
  • Review the 19 Technical and Administrative Questions
  • If you do not see the answer to your question(s), submit additional technical or administrative questions to the U.S. DOT SBIR Program Office at dotsbir@dot.gov.
  • All questions and answers will be posted as soon as they are received and answered by DOT SBIR program experts.

Submit a proposal through DOT’s SBIR secure site.

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: automation, blockchain, opportunities, R&D, research, SBA, SBIR, small business, technology, transportation, US DOT, USDOT

Transit supply chain forum to be held Oct. 11th

September 22, 2017 By Andrew Smith

On Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, a Transit Industry Supply Chain Connectivity Forum is being held for the purpose of bringing large transit original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) together with smaller, qualified and interested U.S. manufacturers in an effort to facilitate the use of a higher percentage of domestic suppliers in transit products and systems.

The Forum offers a venue for smaller manufacturers to learn what products are needed and find out more about investments they need to consider when entering the transit industry.

As part of the Forum, time will be allocated for ten-minute introductory, private meetings between participating OEMs and prospective suppliers. Participating suppliers can include both current transit industry suppliers, and potential new suppliers.

OEMs currently confirmed to participate include: Alexander Dennis, Kiepe Electric Inc., Siemens, and United Rail, Inc.   Others may be added at a later date.

Some of the products the OEMs will be sourcing include:  Wiring Harnesses, Driver’s Display, Wiper System, Variable Frequency Drives, DC-DC Converter, Switches, Suspension Components, Steering Column, Brakes & Brake Valves, Brake Pedals, Stanchions, Overhead Lighting Panels, Flooring, Passenger and Drivers Seating, Destination Signs, ADA Ramp, HVAC Systems, Bike Rack, Fire Suppression, High and Low Voltage Cable, Connectors, Terminals, Plugs, Sensors, Lugs, Relays, Latches, Hinges, Springs Filters, Headlights, Paint, and Design Services.

This event is held in conjunction with the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Annual Meeting and Expo, October 8-11, 2017 which will take place in the Georgia World Congress Center, Building C, Rooms C205 & C206, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Partners for this event include the National Institute of Standards in Technology (NIST), Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The Forum will be held between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.  There is a $25 registration fee, and breakfast and lunch will be provided.  Register at: http://ow.ly/KIW730fpvpe

Questions?  Contact Tim Israel, GaMEP Associate Director, at Tim.Israel@innovate.gatech.edu or 770-354-3809.

Filed Under: Georgia Tech News Tagged With: FTA, GaMEP, networking, NIST, transit, transportation, USDOT

DBE contracting opportunities under the Trump Administration

January 12, 2017 By Andrew Smith

good-time-for-dbes-01-2017With President-elect Trump’s promise to turn America’s crumbling infrastructure into an opportunity for accelerated economic growth, there are likely to be significant investments in the next four years in transportation, construction, and other similar projects.

The new administration’s plans are likely to have a particularly big impact on the highway construction industry, which stands to ultimately receive billions in federally-financed dollars. State and local governments will be first in line to receive the funds so they can be trickled down to create thousands of new jobs. Those dollars will be filtered through prime contractors and their disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) partners, which will be performing many of these federally-funded projects. With billions of dollars likely to hit the streets, this is a good time for firms to look into the DBE program.

While not as well-known as the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) and other small business programs, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) DBE program has been around for some time. It was established by Congress in 1983 with legislation that required that at least 10 percent of the funds authorized for highway and transit federal financial assistance programs be expended with DBEs. The three agencies with those programs are the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, and Federal Transit Administration.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/dbe-contracting-opportunities-under-the-95974/

Filed Under: Contracting Tips Tagged With: airport, construction, contracting opportunities, DBE, FAA, FHWA, FTA, highway, small disadvantaged business, transit, transportation, USDOT

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

Report: Private sector key to nation’s infrastructure, but hurdles remain

May 26, 2016 By Andrew Smith

Amid congressional gridlock, business leaders and transportation officials are turning to the private sector to help fix the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

But a new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center says the effort is going to require an investment model that encourages more transparency and less regulatory hurdles.

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s executive council on infrastructure unveiled a set of recommendations last week outlining how the country can fill an estimated $1.4 trillion infrastructure shortfall between now and 2025.

Bipartisan Policy Center 05.2016

Lawmakers have repeatedly struggled to come up with a long-term funding solution for the country’s infrastructure, despite a growing number of congested roads and deficient bridges. The federal gasoline tax, which finances the Highway Trust Fund, has not been raised in over two decades.

Keep reading this article at: http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/280070-report-private-sector-key-to-nations-infrastructure-but-hurdles-remain

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: Bipartisan Policy Center, federal gas tax, Highway Trust Fund, infrastructure, P3s, private sector, public sector, public-private partnerships, state & local government, transportation

Tennessee construction company settles DBE fraud allegations for $2.25 million

May 19, 2016 By Andrew Smith

Mountain States Contractors, LLC, a subsidiary of Jones Brothers, has agreed to pay the United States more than $2,250,000 to settle False Claims Act (FCA) allegations, announced Jack Smith, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee for the administration of this settlement.  The settlement resolves a civil investigation of Mountain States and affiliated companies for submitting false claims for payment to the government in connection with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

Jones BrothersUSDOT’s DBE Program provides a vehicle for increasing the participation by Minority Business Enterprises in state and local transportation projects and ensures that DBEs can compete fairly for federally funded transportation-related work.

The Justice Department alleged that Mountain States and its affiliated company, HMA, as the prime contractors on a federally-funded construction projects, agreed that they would use DBEs to perform subcontracted work on the projects.  For a number of these projects, Mountain States and HMA subcontracted with G&M Associates.  Although G&M Associates is a certified DBE, evidence obtained during the investigation indicated that Mountain States had improperly “loaned” its employees to G&M to perform the DBE work on the projects.  The entities claimed these employees as DBE employees for purposes of obtaining payment for their work despite the fact that the prime contractors continued to provide their health insurance.  The prime contractors also improperly leased equipment to G&M, which the entities then counted against the projects’ DBE goals.

“Fraud schemes like that committed by Mountain States harms the integrity of law abiding, small business contractors trying to compete for contracts on a level playing field,” said Marlies Gonzalez, regional Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.

The allegations resolved by today’s settlement were originally raised in a lawsuit filed against Mountain States by a former Mountain States employee who brought his claims under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA, which allow private citizens with knowledge of false claims to bring civil suits on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery.  The whistleblower will receive over $405,000 as his share of the settlement.

In addition to the settlement, Mountain States will enter into a monitoring agreement with the Federal Highway Administration.  This agreement will help to prevent similar conduct in the future.

This matter was investigated by the DOT-Office of Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.  The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Sabis.

This case is docketed as United States ex rel. Meadows v. Mountain States Construction, LLC, No. 3:12-cv-0523 (M.D. Tenn.).

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdtn/pr/local-construction-company-settles-allegations-fraud-involving-disadvantaged-business-0

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: abuse, DBE, false claims, False Claims Act, FHWA, fraud, IG, qui tam. whistleblower, transportation, USDOT

Contractor files lawsuit over DBE-related lost $77 million bridge contract

April 27, 2016 By Andrew Smith

Arkansas_State_Highway_and_Transportation_DepartmentA Texas-based contractor has filed a lawsuit against the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department over the department’s cancellation of a $77.6-million bridge contract for alleged failure to document disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) involvement efforts. The department has made a claim against the contractor’s bid bond.

The contractor, Roanoke, Texas-based Johnson Bros. Corp., had in January submitted a very low bid to replace a bridge carrying highway I-40 over the White River between Little Rock and North Little Rock. The second-low bid came in about $40 million higher.

Filed in the Pulaski County circuit court of Arkansas in Little Rock on March 9, Johnson Bros. names as defendants the state’s highway commission, the commission members individually and the department’s chief engineer. The petition requests judicial review of February administrative decisions that found the contractor’s efforts to involve DBEs in the project insufficient, reject the bid, make a claim under the bid bond and ban the contractor from rebidding on the project.

The petition also claims that the highway commission took no action on a petition to review the department’s decision and request for injunctive relief.

State officials had conditionally awarded the contract to Johnson Bros. Corp. based on the company’s low bid.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.enr.com/articles/39253-arkansas-cites-dbe-rule-and-halts-bridge-contract

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: bid bond, bid price, bid protest, bid rejection, construction, DBE, FHWA, highway, small disadvantaged business, transportation

Georgia to receive second-largest share of left-over federal highway funds

March 14, 2016 By Andrew Smith

Repurposed Highway Funds 2016The Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) has laid out plans for redistributing to states about $2 billion—and potentially more—that had been set aside more than a decade ago for highway and bridge projects but is still unspent.

The 2016 omnibus appropriations bill, enacted on Dec. 18, mandated the funding shift for the so-called orphan earmarks and said the money had to be parceled out to states by Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year.

FHwA’s long-awaited announcement, released on March 8, is another piece of positive news for state highway agencies as well as road and bridge engineers and contractors.

It follows the Dec. 4 signing of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation, or FAST Act, which provided a boost of about $2 billion, or 5%, for highway and bridge funding in fiscal year 2016.

The earmark funding “is really a shot in the arm for the construction industry, for the 2016 construction season,” says Jay Hansen, National Asphalt Pavement Association executive vice president. “On top of the FAST Act, this is icing on the cake.”

Keep reading this article at: http://www.enr.com/articles/38978-fhwa-details-plans-to-reuse-2b-unspent-on-old-earmarks

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: contracting opportunities, FAST Act, FHWA, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Georgia, highway, transportation

FHwA expected to release $2 billion in old earmarked funds to state highway departments

February 11, 2016 By Andrew Smith

AASHTO Statement - Jan. 2016State transportation officials and construction contractors are eagerly awaiting word from the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) about how the agency will parcel out to states an estimated $2.1 billion in earmarked but long-unused highway-project funds. FHwA should make its announcement this month, an agency official says.

The fiscal 2016 omnibus appropriations measure, signed into law on Dec. 18, directs FHwA to redistribute to states unobligated funds earmarked for highway projects in transportation legislation dating back at least a decade. For example, some of the earmarks were contained in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which was enacted in 1998.

The appropriations law specifies that states must redeploy the funds on a project within 50 miles of the old earmarked one.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.enr.com/articles/38738-fhwa-expected-to-release-2b-in-old-earmarked-funds

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: FHWA, funding, transportation, Transportation Equity Act, US DOT

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Recent Posts

  • OMB releases guidance related to small business goals
  • Are verbal agreements good enough for government contractors?
  • OMB issues guidance on impact of injunction on government contractor vaccine mandate
  • CMMC 2.0 simplifies requirements but raises risks for government contractors
  • OFCCP launches contractor portal initiating AAP verification program

Popular Topics

8(a) abuse Army bid protest budget budget cuts certification construction contract awards contracting opportunities cybersecurity DoD DOJ False Claims Act FAR federal contracting federal contracts fraud GAO Georgia Tech government contracting government contract training government trends GSA GSA Schedule GTPAC HUBZone innovation IT Justice Dept. marketing NDAA OMB SBA SDVOSB set-aside small business small business goals spending subcontracting technology VA veteran owned business VOSB wosb

Contracting News

OMB releases guidance related to small business goals

OMB issues guidance on impact of injunction on government contractor vaccine mandate

Changes coming to DOD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification under CMMC 2.0

Judge issues nationwide injunction halting enforcement of COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Nondisplacement of qualified workers is back, but with changes

Read More

Contracting Tips

Are verbal agreements good enough for government contractors?

CMMC 2.0 simplifies requirements but raises risks for government contractors

OFCCP launches contractor portal initiating AAP verification program

GAO rules that DoD may not require small business Joint Venture itself hold facility security clearance

Terminations for convenience clauses vs. mutual termination clauses

Read More

GTPAC News

VA direct access program events in 2022

Sandia National Laboratories seeks small business suppliers

Navy OSBP hosting DCAA overview (part 2) event Jan. 12, 2022

Navy OSBP hosting cybersecurity “ask me anything” event Dec. 16th

State of Georgia hosting supplier systems training on January 26, 2022

Read More

Georgia Tech News

Undergraduate enrollment growth reflects inclusive excellence

Georgia Tech delivers $4 billion in economic impact to the State of Georgia

Georgia Tech awards first round of seed grants to support team-based research

Georgia Tech announces inaugural Associate Vice President of Corporate Engagement

DoD funds Georgia Tech to enhance U.S. hypersonics capabilities

Read More

  • SAM.gov registration is free, and help with SAM is free, too
APTAC RSS Twitter GTPAC - 30th Year of Service

Copyright © 2022 · Georgia Tech - Enterprise Innovation Institute