January 25, 2012: Contracting for Success
On Wednesday, January 25th, more than 115 individuals representing small and large firms attended the Port’s semi-annual training and networking forum. The audience was welcomed by Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle and Harbor Commissioners Doug Drummond and Rich Dines. The event was emceed by SBE Administrator Sashi Muralidharan, and attendees heard from a variety of speakers, including Port Division Directors and representatives from small business development resources.
Dona Blazis, Port Risk Manager, explained how the Port determines insurance requirements for each project and how contractors/consultants can meet those requirements. Doug Sereno, Director of Program Management, Neil Morrison, Director of Engineering Design, and Gary Cardamone, Director of Construction Management all spoke about upcoming projects in their respective divisions. The audience also heard from Heather Morris, Director of Communications & Community Relations, and Doug Albrecht, Director of Information Management, who spoke about products and services for which their departments issue contracts, as well as upcoming contracting opportunities.
Small business development resource speakers included:
· Mike Daniel from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) spoke about the FREE services that the SBDC provides to small business, such as counseling, business training, web and social media based marketing assistance, and even tax assistance. All advisors are business owners themselves, and did we mention that SBDC’s services are FREE?
· Leticia Valadez from the Goldman-Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative at Long Beach City College discussed how their program helps small business owners learn how to build their infrastructure, create jobs, and manage growth. Click here to learn more about the program today!
· Patty Zenizo from Preferred Bonding discussed different bonding programs available for small businesses, including the SBA Bond Guarantee Program.
· Dan Copp from Dan Copp Crushing gave a testimonial on his firm’s experience of being an SBE Prime on Port projects. Sashi Muralidharan and SBE Analyst Christina Garcia also delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting SBE/VSBE Program procedures and participation requirements, as well as the benefits of registering and obtaining SBE certification on the Port's online database and e-procurement system, The Network.
The Port encourages attendees to network and contact each other for future teaming opportunities. Click here for a copy of the January 25th sign-in sheet and attendee contact information.
If you missed the forum, click here for a videotaped recording of the entire program.
June 8, 2011: Contracting for Success
On Wednesday, June 8th, more than 110 individuals representing small and large firms attended the Port’s semi-annual training and networking forum. The audience was welcomed by Harbor Commissioner Thomas Fields and Deputy Executive Director and COO J. Christopher Lytle. The event was emceed by SBE Administrator Sashi Muralidharan, and attendees heard from a variety of speakers, including Port Division Directors and representatives from small business development resources.
Sunny Zia, Contract Compliance Manager and Supervisor of the SBE/VSBE Program, spoke about the program’s background and goals, as well as recent milestones the program has achieved. Dona Blazis, Port Risk Manager, explained how the Port determines insurance requirements for each project and how contractors/consultants can meet those requirements. Doug Sereno, Director of Program Management, Neil Morrison, Director of Engineering Design, and Peter Forsythe, Deputy Chief Harbor Engineer with the Construction Management Division all spoke about upcoming projects in their respective divisions. The audience also heard from Rick Cameron, Director of Environmental Planning, and Randy Rich, Director of Maintenance, who spoke about the types of work for which their departments issue contracts, as well as upcoming opportunities. Patrice Henderson from the City of Long Beach also spoke briefly about the City’s SBE/VSBE/LSBE Program. Small business development resource speakers included:
· Mike Daniel from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) spoke about the FREE services that the SBDC provides to small business, such as counseling, business training, web and social media based marketing assistance, and even tax assistance. All advisors are business owners themselves, and did we mention that SBDC’s services are FREE?· Vivian Shimoyama from the Goldman-Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative at Long Beach City College discussed how their program helps small business owners learn how to build their infrastructure, create jobs, and manage growth. Click here to learn more about the program today!Sashi Muralidharan and SBE Analyst Diana Lopez also delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting SBE/VSBE Program procedures and participation requirements, as well as the benefits of registering and obtaining SBE certification on the Port's online database and e-procurement system, The Network.
The Port encourages attendees to network and contact each other for future teaming opportunities. Click here for a copy of the June 8th sign-in sheet and attendee contact information.
If you missed the forum, click here for a videotaped recording of the entire program.
October 26, 2010: Middle Harbor Redevelopment Program Outreach & Networking Event
On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, Port of Long Beach SBE/VSBE Program staff, in cooperation with the Program Management Division, held a Middle Harbor Redevelopment Program outreach and networking event in the Boardroom of the Port’s Administration Building. The event was designed to familiarize licensed general and specialty trade construction contractors with the Middle Harbor Redevelopment Program, review SBE/VSBE Program require-ments, and demonstrate how to search for small businesses in the Port’s online database – The Network. The event also provided an opportunity for large prime contractors to meet and network with small business subcontractors. Approximately 120 contractors were in attendance.
Construction costs for the Middle Harbor Redevelopment Program are valued at $650 million over the next nine years (2010-2019). Click here to read or download a copy of the Middle Harbor Redevelopment Program PowerPoint presentation, which was presented by Thomas Baldwin, Program Manager for the Port of Long Beach.
The first Middle Harbor project will be advertised in mid-November 2010 and will be subject to a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). Prime and sub bidders for this project will be invited to a PLA information session which will be held during the bid period.
If you are interested in Middle Harbor projects and/or other contracting opportunities with the Port of Long Beach and have not yet registered as a Port vendor, log on to The Network or read our vendor registration instructions and benefits. Small businesses can also access The Network to apply online for SBE certification.
September 22, 2010: OpPORTunities with the Port of Long Beach
The Port held its semi-annual training and networking forum on Wednesday, September 22, 2010. SBE Administrator Sashi Muralidharan and Deputy Executive Director Chris Lytle welcomed the audience members and spoke about the mission and goals of the SBE/VSBE Program. Contract Compliance Manager Sunny Zia spoke about the newly created Port of Long Beach Contract Compliance Section. Program Management Division Director Doug Sereno spoke about upcoming engineering and design opportunities, and Construction Management Division Director Gary Cardamone spoke about construction opportunities, including the Port's new Project Labor Agreement which will be administered for the first Middle Harbor Redevelopment project. Assistance Communications Director Art Wong talked about upcoming opportunities with the Communications Division. Risk Management Division representative Dona Blazis discussed the Port's insurance requirements. Additional speakers included:
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Michael Williams, President of Contractors License Network, Inc., educated the audience about the importance of proper licensing, license examinations, upgrading your contractor's license, and working with the California State Licensing Board.
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Patty Zenizo, President of Preferred Bonding & Insurance Services, spoke about the importance of bonding, different types of bonds, and the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Surety Bond Guarantee Program.
Port staff delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting SBE/VSBE Program procedures and participation requirements, as well as the benefits of registering and obtaining SBE certification on the Port's online database and e-procurement system, The Network.
The Port encourages attendees to network and contact each other for future teaming opportunities. Click here for a copy of the September 22nd sign-in sheet and attendee contact information.
If you missed the forum, click here for a videotaped recording of the SBE/VSBE Program and The Network presentations.
