High-Speed Rail Authority Announces Series of Statewide Small Business Certification Workshops

Orange County SBDC to host HSR Small Business Certification Workshop.

Wanting to insure that all who have registered have an opportunity to complete their Small Business Registration with the State of California, reservations are no longer being accepted for this event. However, there is a networking opportunity that is open to all small businesses that are interested in learning more about the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and the goals established for small business utilization.   "The Authority is committed to creating opportunities for small businesses with an aggressive 30 percent goal of participation in California's high-speed rail program," said Jeff Morales, Authority CEO. "We have been working to engage small businesses and encouraging them to get involved. Many of our contracts are long-term and will be a big boost economically for small businesses. We want to help small businesses prepare to work on the project." The Authority's Small Business Advocate Robert Padilla added, "The initial construction in the Central Valley is expected to cost $6 billion dollars and a significant amount of that could go to certified small businesses. These workshops are a critical part of the process for the Authority to partner with California's small businesses." Orange County SBDC is proud to host a southern CA workshop.           When: May 15, 2013                              9 AM to 12 Noon -- On-line Certification                              11 AM to 12 Noon -- Networking                  Where: Rancho Santiago Community College Distrist                              2323 N. Broadway, #107                              Santa Ana, CA 92706  For those that have registered for the certification portion of this workshop, your portion of the event will begin at 9 AM.   Workshop participants should bring the following materials with them to the workshop: Applicant/Affiliate Federal Tax Returns for the past three (3) years Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) (if applicable) Secretary of State Number (if applicable) Home address of Officers, Member/Manager and Partners Social Security Number (if sole proprietor) Dunn & Bradstreet Number (if applicable) Contractors State License Board Number (if applicable) The Authority will host several more workshops around the state in the coming months. For updates, visit CA High-Speed Rail.

Courts Upholds CALTRANS DBE Program

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rules in favor of the California Department of Transportation.

On April 16, 2013 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the California Department of Transportation's (CALTRANS) equal opportunity program ensures minority and women owned businesses have an opportunity to compete for Department of Transportation (DOT) and related contracts. The program is known as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said that CALTRAN's DBE outreach program is clearly within constitutional parameters. In 2009 the San Diego Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) filed a lawsuit challenging CALTRAN's DBE program. They claimed the DBE program was unconstitutional because it provides preferences based on race and sex to businesses owned by African Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, and women on federal DOT contracts. AGC filed an appeal in 2011 after summary judgment was granted in U.S. District Court. AGC's attorney has indicated that it is likely they will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Read the Court's full decision...

California High-Speed Rail Authority Announces Bid Results on Central Valley Construction Project

Groundbreaking expected in 2013.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has announced that Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons, a Joint Venture, is the best scoring team for the design-build contract for the first section of the high-speed rail system, Madera to Fresno. CHSRA had estimated the cost for the design-build contract to be $1.2 to $1.8 billion. It was determined that Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons, a California-based Joint Venture, who bid $985,142,530, was the "apparent best value." In the competitive bidding process, five teams submitted proposals to the CHSRA for the first design-build contract, which combines project design and construction in one contract. The proposals were evaluated and ranked based on 30 percent for technical merit and 70 percent for cost. Factors such as an understanding of the project, schedule capability, project approach and safety were part of the technical scoring. The CHSRA had previously issued a Request for Qualification for potential design-build teams interested in the contract in late 2011. Five teams qualified and competed for the contract. The five teams submitted their proposals in January 2013, which were reviewed by an evaluation panel comprised of California state personnel. The design-build contract will include the CHSRA's adopted 30 percent goal for small business participation in the work. The CHSRA is committed to small businesses playing a major role in delivering the high-speed rail program. The ongoing procurement process will continue and it is expected that a contract will be presented to the CHSRA's Board of Directors in the coming weeks. To learn more about the high-speed rail project and what opportunities are available for small business, visit www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.