December 2020 Newsletter
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”
~Maya Angelou~
Next PBDG Meeting
Wednesday January 27, 2021 • 4 – 5:30pm
We invite you to join us for our monthly membership meeting! Please note, this meeting has been moved to January 27 due to Inaugeration Day.
Click here to register for this meeting and access the Zoom meeting details.
If you are still having issues using Zoom, please let us know so we can assist you.
Upcoming Classes
PBDG’s classes will be on a brief pause during the month of December. We will resume in January 2021 and will release our January class list soon.
We look forward to seeing everyone again in January!
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Kenechi Onyeagusi, PBDG Executive Director
Hello and warm holiday wishes!
December is one of my favorite time of the year. A time we take a collective sigh, meaningfully celebrate successes and evaluate opportunities in order to set ourselves up for success in the new year. At PBDG, we are doing just that. Just like we did in August, we are taking a pause in December to assess and strategize on how to make your experience with us at PBDG first class with the goal of value at the core of our 2021 objectives.
Members and Partners, you will see incredible differences in the first quarter of 2021. Some of the work that we had to set aside to focus on COVID related things in 2020. I am personally incredibly excited about these upcoming enhancements. We have listened, collected data, built new infrastructure and programs that will solidify PBDG as your go to resource. Stay tuned!
My sincere appreciation to all those who gave at our fund raiser last month. Next year, you will see all of our marketing and branding reflect the logos and information of the firms who have made these investments as they will be attached to specific classes and programs throughout the year. If you have not given yet, its not too late, remember its 100% tax deductible. https://pbdgweb.com/pbdg-friendsgiving-fundraiser/
Our first Christmas in the COVID pandemic may not involve large crowds but will certainly have all of the feelings of good will and warm wishes that this season always brings.
I wish you good tidings, good health and Christmas cheer!
Member of The Month
Partner of The Month
New Member Spotlight
Industry News
Event & Meeting Details
Invitations to Bid
Member of the Month
Carlos Bran and Nayeli Maldonado
Phone: (503) 374-3521
Email: WildTreeSolutions65@gmail.com
Website: http://wildtreesolutions.com/#home
Husband and wife entrepreneurs Carlos Bran and Nayeli Maldonado have a knack for creating successful businesses. Married in 2005, they were working together cleaning offices for a corporate company when they realized they could provide the same services with a more personal touch. They started Simply Perfect Cleaning in 2010, with a focus on providing customized, high-quality cleaning to both commercial and residential clients.
In 2018, while Nayeli continued running Simply Perfect Cleaning, Carlos started a second business with his brother, Antonio. Wild Tree Solutions provides tree care, tree removal, stump grinding, and more at competitive rates and in an environmentally responsible manner. Since 2018, Carlos has worked on various commercial and residential projects. Wild Tree Solutions has done commercial tree removal for several apartment complexes in the Portland Metro area. He also removed 30+ trees to prepare a construction site for the construction of new housing. Last year, they completed a tree cutting and clearing project for O’Neill Construction Group.
Wild Tree Solutions offers tree maintenance, tree removal, pruning, storm damage removal, stump grinding, cabling and bracing, and 24-hour emergency services. Carlos works hard to provide quality tree maintenance and removal services with great attention to details and safety.
Wild Tree Solutions is currently DBE, ESB, and MBE Certified
Partner of the Month
This month we will be publicly acknowleding, celebrating, and thanking all of our partners and sponsors for their very generous FriendsGIVING Fundraiser contributions.
Thank you so much to everyone who donated, your support directly helps in building equity and capacity in the MWESB community!
New Member Spotlight
Akeem Griffin, Owner
Phone: (503) 498-1580
Email: gryphoncustomhomebuilders@gmail.comWebsite: www.gryphoncustomhomebuilders.com
As a young child, Akeem Griffin was fascinated with the idea of building functional structures from scratch and founded Gryphon Custom Home Builders and Remodeling in 2019. He found his passion in a classroom off Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and Church St. in a little blue building. It read “Constructing Hope” in big blue letters across the top. Two weeks into the program, he began remodeling with a contractor every day after class. Once Akeem completed Constructing Hope’s job placement program, he was instantly placed in a carpenter’s union apprenticeship while still doing residential remodeling every evening after work, including weekends. Akeem was so fascinated with this new skill he found; he would study during any free time he had whether it was online or in the public library. This is where Akeem wanted to be.
Gryphon Custom Home Builders and Remodeling offers the following services: General Contracting, Interior Finish Carpentry, Remodeling, and New Construction. A few of Akeem’s notable projects consist of completing a large third story addition, including extending the house footprint eight additional feet. He has also completed a two-story garage structure with a loft above. Akeem is currently making the exciting transition from residential construction to commercial.
A defining moment for Akeem was when he noticed how much his skills were worth. This realization resulted in him declining the work that didn’t fit, and sticking to the areas where his company excels most, which is building and project managing. These strategic business choices resulted in amazing growth for his company.
Project Capacity: $200,000
COBID Certifications: MBE and ESB Certifications are currently in progress
Industry News
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE APPLYING FOR ANY GRANTS, PLEASE LET US KNOW
Gov. Kate Brown’s Proposed 2021-23 Budget Proposal Includes Funding for Affordable Housing & School Construction
With the housing and homelessness crisis being exacerbated by the global pandemic, Governor Kate Brown’s budget proposal for the 2021-23 biennium is intended to provide Oregonians with more affordable housing options. The budget proposal consists of an investment in housing and homelessness that’s almost $70 million more than the previous 2019-21 investment levels. The development in funding provides capital construction investments to offer solutions for low income families and the chronically homeless. These funds have been allocated to finance the construction of 500 units of permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals. These individuals include formally incarcerated people reentering the community, people with acute and chonic mental illness or substance use, and homeless veterans.
Additionally, another $350 million has been proposed to provide rent assistance and $250 million for affordable housing development funds. The proposed budget includes plans to build an estimated 2,168 rental units for low-income Oregonians. The growing funds for housing development continues to advance Oregon’s goal of developing 25,000 units of new housing.
Click here to read more!
Gcap virtual incident procurement (VIPR)
With 2020 being an unprecedented wildfire season, we are getting a lot of interest from Oregon businesses wanting to compete to offer resources to fight wildfires. GCAP is offering two modules of beginning training to get you ready to compete. This training opportunity is for vendors new to VIPR contracting. The training is divided into two modules of one hour each with a 15 minute break in between classes.
GCAP Staff will be training on:
VIPR Introduction—12/10/2020 9:30 a.m.
This class will cover what is purchased under VIPR and how and what you need to do now to be ready. Covering everything from registering and finding the lead to researching pricing.
VIPR Registration—12/10/2020 10:45 a.m.
This class will cover the VIPR website in detail showing you how to register as a VIPR vendor and NAP/IROC for after award.
The training is FREE but preregistration is required. Click here to register!
The Oregon Cares Fund – for black relief and resiliency
The Oregon Cares Fund is now open!
The Oregon Cares Fund is a targeted investment in the Black community from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund. This fund is meant to provide the Black community with the resources it needs to weather the global health pandemic and consequent recession. The Oregon Cares Fund is for Black people, Black-owned businesses, and Black community based organizations.
All grants must be awarded before December 30, 2020 so finish your application today!
Click here for more information.
Click here to apply!
eidl loans are available again
After shutting down the Disaster loan program due to funding running out, and then limiting recipients to agricultural businesses only, the SBA has reopened the EIDL Loans for all industries with a cap of $150,000.
The Emergency Grant program (which provides up to $10,000 based on a rate of $1,000 per employee) is also running again.
The deadline to apply for a COVID-related EIDL loan or grant is December 31, 2020. You can apply here.
Port of Portland Pre-Proposal Meeting for Airport Master Plan Update
The Port is poised to begin work on the next Airport Master Plan Update which will guide PDX through 2045. The Master Planning process is informed by the Community Advisory Committee in partnership with consultants and professional staff.
We invite you to come to an informational Pre-Proposal Meeting to meet the Project Managers and Evaluation Team on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 11:00 am
Over the next year, the Port anticipates bringing on new advisory committee members, and transitioning the current committee and responsibilities from focusing on more immediate operations to long-term planning and visioning. We are looking for a facilitator who has exceptional skills in the following areas:
- Transition management
- Training
- Meeting facilitation especially:
- Supporting diverse participation
- Managing issues of power and privilege
- Managing meetings conducted remotely via telephone and/or video conference
- Outcome oriented agenda development
- Collaboration and team building
- Supporting staff to develop excellent content and prioritize committee engagement
On meeting day/time, click here to join the meeting!
Northwest Infrastructure Position Opening – Project Engineer
Northwest Infrastructure specializes in heavy civil construction and offers excavation, demolition, underground utilities, and dump trucking services. They are currently looking to hire a Project Engineer that is highly motivated, with a demonstrated passion for excellence and taking initiative, has a strong work ethic, and is willing to do what it takes to get the job done right the first time.
Click here to view the full list of position responsibilities, requirements, and how to apply!
Will you be working on City of Portland, Multnomah County, Metro, Washington County or Port of Portland Projects?
The City of Portland, Procurement Services team has been performing outreach to our partnering organizations and certified firms about the Clean Air Construction Standard Requirements https://www.portland.gov/omf/brfs/procurement/clean-air-construction for the past year. We are offering technical assistance to certified firms to help them understand the requirements, assess their fleet, make a plan and prepare to access funding assistance. This requirement is going to happen and we want certified firms to be prepared and be in compliance. Stacey Foreman, Sustainability Coordinator in Procurement Services has been working diligently with our hired consultant Kevin Downing, Skookum Environmental Advisors to offer this FREE technical assistance to businesses and time is running out! The requirements are being phased in 2022. We are already approaching 2021.
The city is being proactive in offering this technical assistance and we are strongly encouraging you to be proactive in taking advantage of this opportunity. See additional information below. This is something that businesses with fleet/construction equipment have to be aware of and act on as it going to be the “WAY WE DO BUSINESS”. Please contact Kevin Downing with Skookum Environmental Advisors: 503.539.0610 or kevin@skookumea.com to make you appointment, You can also visit their website at: https://skookumea.com
Invitations to Bid
TriMet - Upcoming Bids
Andersen Construction - Benson High School Modernization
Andersen Construction - PCC Metro Trade Center Bid Package 3
Metro - Metro Central Transfer High Bay Lighting Replacement
Bids Due December 31 at 2pm
Metro Parks and Nature - Glendoveer Parking Lot Improvements
Bids Due January 14 at 2pm
Multnomah County - River Patrol Boathouse Repairs
Proposals Due January 21 at 4pm
Multnomah County - On-Call Painting Services: Interior & Exterior
Bids Due January 7 at 2pm
Hoffman Construction - CAMS Phase II BP #1 - Demo, FRP, Concrete, Stone, Drywall & MEP
Bids Due December 14 at 2pm. Access Key: 70d24f926746172
Hoffman Construction - PDX TCORE BP #21 - Demolition & Early MEP
Bids Due December 23 at 2pm. Access Key: 7072b8ecd047172
Port of Portland - Portland International Airport Deicing Vault Rehabilitation Pump Stations
Bids Due December 16 at 2pm
City of Portland - Pending Bids
JW Fowler - GABRIEL PARK PLAY AREA IMPROVEMENTS
Bids Due December 17 at 2pm
JW Fowler - Upcoming Bids
Portland Public Schools - Grounds Enhancement Services
Bids Due December 10 at 2pm
Portland Public Schools - Lent Copper Panels Replacement
Bids Due December 15 at 2pm
Lease Crutcher Lewis - PCC Sylvania Campus ST Biology Renovation
Bids Due December 22 at 2pm
Lease Crutcher Lewis - North Eugene High School - Bid Set B
Bids Due January 14 at 12pm
Portland Public Schools - Air Filters and Replacement Services
Proposals Due December 22 at 2pm
Walsh Construction - Parkview At Terwilliger Plaza Apartments
Bids Due December 14 at 2pm
Hoffman Skanska - PDX TCORE Western Terminal Extension
Pre-bid Meeting: December 9 at 1pm Bids Due December 23 at 2pm
Mortenson - Design Phase Quarterly Update
PBOT - Contracting Opportunities
PBOT - Street Lighting, Traffic Signal, & Intelligent Transportation System Engineering Services Opportunities
Coming Soon
Stacy and Witbeck - Red Line Expansion and Reliability Improvements Project
Potential DBE Business Opportunities
PBDG COVID-19 Related Meetings and Class Recordings
Do you have to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19, but don’t have paid time off?
The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program is available to people who need to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19 exposure or are experiencing symptoms and need a medical diagnosis, but do not qualify for COVID-19-related paid sick leave (or do not have access to COVID-19-related paid time off).
If you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you will get a $120 per-day payment, up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time you need to quarantine or isolate.
Click here to apply, view more information and eligibility requirements!
COVID-19 Testing in Oregon
