Vendor Development

Clean Water Atlanta Small Business Development Program

The City of Atlanta's sewer system rehabilitation program provides many opportunities for small, minority and female business enterprises to bid for and win projects as a prime contractor, joint venture partner or subcontractor.  An extraordinary program has been developed to provide small, minority and female businesses that have a desire to expand their experience and grow their businesses with the knowledge and skills needed to compete successfully for this work.

You should consider this program if your business has an interest in pursuing projects with the Clean Water Atlanta Program in the following project categories:

Sewer Cleaning  •  Sewer Rehabilitation  •  Pipebursting  •  Sewer Point Repair  •  Manhole Rehabilitation  •  Manhole Construction  •  Right of Way Clearing  •  New Sewer Construction (Open Trench)  •  Street Repairs & Paving  •  Work Support Services

SBDP Modules

Comprehensive training modules have been developed that will prepare your business to competitively pursue work with the City of Atlanta.

Safety
This course offers SBDP participants 10 hours of certified Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training.   Attendees will receive an OSHA card upon completion.

Contract Administration
SBDP participants will obtain a general understanding of contract execution, including how to interpret the legal obligations and requirements set forth within contract documents.

Scheduling
SBDP participants will learn effective and realistic scheduling to complete projects on time and under budget.

Estimating & Bidding
SBDP participants will perform hands-on bid and estimate exercises to avoid common pitfalls.

Conflict Resolution
SBDP participants will examine protocol, methodology, and legal considerations for productive solutions.

Construction Accounting & Finance
SBDP participants will learn the dollars and cents of construction and are eligible to receive a complimentary financial overview of their financial operations.

Trenchless Sewer Repair Techniques (Pipe-bursting)
SBDP participants can participate in eight hours of trenchless technology taught by Dr. Samuel T. Ariaratnam. Dr. Ariaratnam is an associate professor at Arizona State University where he specializes in trenchless construction methods (horizontal directional drilling and trenchless pipe replacement).  Practical applications will also be discussed by manufacturer's representatives.

Doing Business with the City of Atlanta
SBDP participants will become familiar with the structure and inner workings of Atlanta government, with a focus on procurement and compliance.  This module provides valuable information on requirements and procedures such as bonding and insurance, bid submissions, public information requirements, etc.

Primavera Expedition Training
SBDP participants will be offered three full days of comprehensive Expedition? training — the City's required project management system.

Benefits

This program offers tangible benefits to participants, including:

• Gives participants a head start on fulfilling the City's procurement and compliance requirements
• Provides enrichment, support and commitment to small, minority-and-female-owned enterprises
• Participants receive valuable OSHA certification (10 hour OSHA card at module's completion)
• Participants receive a complimentary financial overview of company's financial operations
• Three full days of comprehensive Expedition™ training — the City's required project management system
• Participants receive specialized training in construction management and sewer rehabilitation techniques, skills transferable to other kinds of work and clients

Requirements

Once a firm contacts us to express interest in the SBDP, an assessment process will determine acceptance and specific classes needed for interested business owners.  Interested firms should consider these very important points regarding this program:

The minimum requirements necessary for a business to participate in the program include:

• The applicant's firm must have been in business for at least one year.
• If bonding services are needed, the applicant must be willing to utilize the Small Business Development Program's Bonding Program and Funds Control Agency's services, exclusively (no exceptions).
  • Applicants cannot have any liens against their company or its assets.
  • The applicant/firm must have a credit score of at least 520 to qualify for the bonding assistance available through this program.
• Business owners must be available to attend the modules during the months of July, August and September.  Classes will be taught primarily on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 PM until 9:30 PM
• Part of the Estimating and Bidding Class will be taught on two consecutive Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• The program is an intense, accelerated program and attendance at every class (based on each applicant's assessment) is mandatory.
• These are applicable fees if bonding and funds control management is provided.
• There are no fees associated with the assessment process.
• The cost to participate in the program is no more than$250.00, regardless of the number of classes taken.

The application period is closed.  If you are interested in participating in future programs, please e-mail us at vendordev@atlantaga.gov.

DWM Partnering for Progress 2007

To:  Companies currently serving as Contractors, Sub-Contractors or Suppliers on City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management Projects

Subject:  Invitation to DWM Partnering for Progress session & "graduation" ceremony for SBDP Participants, September 14, 2007, Piedmont Room, Civic Center

Each company currently serving as a Contractor, Joint-venture Partner, Sub-contractor or Supplier is invited to send ONE Representative to the Third Annual DWM Partnering for Progress seminar which will be held Friday, September 14, 2007 in the Piedmont Room of the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center from 1pm to 4pm.

Our theme is "Five Years and Flowing Strong: Rebuilding Atlanta's Water and Sewer Infrastructure."  The session will include a completion ceremony for the 30 companies which have successfully completed the inaugural Clean Water Atlanta Small Business Development Program.

For the first hour, the format will be similar to our past Partnering for Progress sessions, with a Welcome and Overview by Commissioner Hunter, Introduction of Senior Staff, followed by Presentations by the DWM Bureaus on Upcoming Projects & Procurement Opportunties.

The second hour will focus on the CWA Small Business Development Program, with remarks from Mayor Shirley Franklin and the presentation of certificates to the 30 companies which have completed the SBDP course this year.  The third hour is an optional networking reception.

Registration is free, but seating is limited to the first 150 participants.  RSVP is required.   Parking is complimentary.

Companies must RSVP with the name of the ONE representative who will be attending by Tuesday, September 11, 2007 to the following e-mail address: vendordev@atlantaga.gov.
A confirmation e-mail will be sent to the participating companies.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  We look forward to seeing you at the Third Annual DWM Partnerting for Progress seminar.

More details are available in this attachment.