November 2020 Newsletter

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

~Martin Luther King, Jr.~

Next PBDG Meeting 

Wednesday November 18, 2020 • 4 – 5:30pm

In lieu of our regular monthly meeting, we will be celebrating the midpoint of our FriendsGIVING Campaign. At the meeting, we will announce funds raised to date, celebrate partners who have helped us come closer to our goal and have an open call for anyone who is interested in joining us to build equity together! The fundraising campaign will be open until December 31, 2020 for those of you who need to make charitable contributions to minimize your tax impact.

Please note that this fundraiser is in place of our holiday party that we have historically held in December.

Event Agenda:

  • Virtual Cocktail Hour featuring business and project updates, 4:00pm – 4:30pm
  • FriendsGIVING Fundraiser Campaign Celebration, beginning at 4:30pm
  • Board Chair Closing Remarks, 5:30pm

Click here to register for this virtual event!

If you are still having issues using Zoom, please let us know so we can assist you.

Upcoming Classes

Click on the class lists below to be taken to our interactive PDF of November 2020 Classes at PBDG. There you can click on the registration links to register through PBDG’s Eventbrite page.

All of our classes are elligible for CCB credit.

We look forward to having you join us!

From the Desk of the Executive Director

Kenechi Onyeagusi, PBDG Executive Director

Hello,

This November marks a special month for PBDG as in the spirit of thanksgiving, we celebrate and give thanks for all of our members, partners and friends that have invested in making our community so special. Paraphrasing the South African word “Ubuntu”, we are because you are. 

PBDG just launched its annual fundraiser to support minority and women owned firms continue to receive incredible education so their businesses can grow and communities thrive. Our Friendsgiving campaign is in lieu of our annual Christmas party.

The funds we raise will be used to subsidize the cost of attendance for certified, minority and women owners who would like to attend a class at our Training Center. Our classes are currently free because of a COVID-19 related grant we received from Business Oregon. That grant expires in December 2020 and if we don’t raise the funds we need to support the training center programs, we will need to charge small businesses a registration fee of $100 per class. With raised funds, businesses will be eligible to receive subsidies of between 65% to 80%! The skills and training learnt from these classes help create more knowledgeable and better equipped business men and women. Will you join us and make a difference today? 

 

Our November meeting is our last membership meeting for the year, don’t miss it. We will have some great surprises for you and will be celebrating our partnerships! PBDG’s offices will be closed starting December 21, 2020 and we will resume on January 4th, 2021. On behalf of myself, board and staff, a huge thank you to the PBDG community. We love serving you and look forward to continuing to do so in 2021. 

Warm wishes of health, safety and peace.

Member of The Month

Partner of The Month

New Member Spotlight

Industry News

Event & Meeting Details

Invitations to Bid

Member of the Month

Cosmas Nwerem, Owner and President
Phone: (503) 421-6500

Email: chiefekwueme@mail.com
Fax: (503) 287-7184

Bestrade Enterprises Inc is a janitorial company and provides the following services: construction cleaning, construction trailer office cleaning, final cleaning, commercial building cleaning, and floor stripping and waxing. I am the owner and president of Bestrade Enterprises Inc.

We are currently providing weekly janitorial and office cleaning services for Skanska at the PDX TCORE Project. We recently completed providing final clean services for the Portland Building project. We also provided regular office cleanings for Hoffman Construction on the Multnomah County Circuit Courthouse. We have also provided final cleaning for the ACME Headquarters project for Colas Construction, and also for Bremik on the Vibrant! apartments in NW Portland. We have also done final cleaning for River Grove Elementary School and Lake Oswego Jr High School for Inline Commercial Construction.

Due to the current pandemic, I see more opportunities for janitorial firms because of the increased need for sanitization and deep cleaning. The local construction industry is booming and isn’t slowing down anytime soon, regardless of COVID-19. As construction projects continue to ramp up, cleaning and sanitation needs will also increase in order to provide contractors with a safe work environment. In response to the pandemic, I also see new cleaning requirements and standards changing; contractors are now requiring green cleaning products for their janitorial projects. Over the next 5-10 years, as old buildings are being demolished and new upgraded building are taking their place, I see the industry becoming more progressive. As buildings and facilities are continuously being upgraded and improved, this will result in more job opportunities for everyone, especially in construction.

I would like to shout out Faye Burch for her continuous support, for always helping me find job opportunities, and making sure everything is going well with me and my projects. I have been a PBDG member since the beginning. I wanted to join PBDG because I am very close with many of the founders and members; I see PBDG as a family. The work PBDG does is important because they actually do the legwork that greatly benefits me and the members. The services PBDG provides, such as trainings, mentorships, and creating relationships between project owners and subcontractors, is greatly beneficial and important for companies like mine.

I have worked with O’Neill Construction Group in the past. We provided trailer cleaning, floor stripping and waxing, and general janitorial services for O’Neill on the Columbia Waste Management project and North Williams Avenue project.

A fun fact about me is that I started janitorial work for Portland Housing Authority, now called Home Forward, in 1976 when I came to Portland. During that time, I was studying at Portland Community College and then transferred to Portland State University where I studied pre-architecture. I then transferred to U of O to study architectural and urban planning.

Bestrade Enterprises Inc. is DBE, MBE, and ESB certified.

Partner of the Month

This month we will be publicly acknowleding and celebrating all of our partners at our FriendsGIVING Fundraiser. After the event on the 18th, please keep an eye out for our weekly email updates to see who is helping  build equity and capacity in the MWESB community!

New Member Spotlight

Leanna Smith, Owner
Phone: (503) 975-6422

Email: Leanna@kdwindowcoverings.com

Leanna has been in construction for most of her career, starting at the age of 17. She has always been passionate about the construction industry and loved being able to learn so many different areas of the field. While a majority of her career was in flooring, Leanna still had a strong background in window coverings. Owning her own business wasn’t really something on her radar until she realized more and more that her values and principles didn’t align with those around her. It took a lot of faith, but Leanna knew the only way she could ever change the circumstance was to walk away and trust in God. She would say that quitting her job with the hopes of making it on her own was probably the most scary and exciting day of her life.

MLS Interiors supplies commercial window treatments: shades, blinds and draperies – manual, motorized and building integration.

Leanna’s largest projects have mostly been new construction schools, which she finds really rewarding. MLS Interiors is under contract for the new Lincoln High School downtown and Leanna is beyond excited to be a part of that project. She is in the process of finishing up the new Salem Police Department as well and that has also been a fun project to be a part of. Her personal favorite completed job has been the Lloyd Center OnPoint Credit Union. The whole building is motorized, bottom up tension shades and there is just something beautiful about seeing perfectly aligned hem bars moving at the same speed across an entire curtain wall.

Completing her first big commercial project was a significant moment for Leanna. Most of her career, she had been in residential construction and was always told that commercial wasn’t the way to go. Leanna’s business model made more sense for commercial, so she started taking that route, but it wasn’t until the closeout documents were sent and retention received that Leanna felt like she was an actual COMMERCIAL contractor. Leanna would say that receiving her COBID certification was the next biggest defining moment; that has made a huge difference to her business.

Project Capacity: $425,000

MLS Interiors is MBE, WBE, and ESB certified.

Industry News

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE APPLYING FOR ANY GRANTS, PLEASE LET US KNOW

Pbdg Friendsgiving fundraiser

We invite you to participate in our FriendsGIVING Fundraising Campaign! This campaign builds equity by raising money for the PBDG Foundation Education Fund. The PBDG Foundation Education Fund provides scholarships that significantly subsidize the cost of classes and consulting services for Minority and Women-Owned firms in construction.

As a dear current or future friend of PBDG, we hope you can help us reach our goal of raising $200,000 to benefit our programs!

Click here for more information, event details, and sponsorship opportunities!

ODOT – Fire Recovery Emergency Bidding Opportunities

ODOT (and other agencies) are letting their Emergency Fire Clean Up & Fire Repair BiddingOpportunities with very quick turn-arounds.  Watch for these opportunities in ORPIN.

REGION 1

Oregon 224 – Riverside Fire

  • Guardrail
  • Pavement Damage
  • Culverts
  • IT features – solar powered flashers for rock fall area.  To be determined.

REGION 2

OR22E MP 13 – 62

  • Culvert Repair
  • Guardrail Repair
  • Pavement Repair
  • Slope Repair
  • Hazard Tree Removal

OR126E MP 10 – 55

  • Culvert Repair
  • Guardrail Repair
  • Slope Repair
  • Hazard Tree Removal

REGION 3

District 7- OR138E, Archie Creek Fire

  • Ditch Cleanup
  • Erosion Control
  • Signs
  • Paving
  • Traffic Control
District 8- OR138E, Archie Creek Fire

  • Ditch Cleanup
  • Erosion Control
  • Signs
  • Paving
  • Traffic Control

District 8- OR138E, Thielsen Fire

  • Ditch Cleanup
  • Tree Cleanup
  • Signs
  • Traffic Control

Point west credit union – Additional grant funds are available

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an unprecedented toll on our local small businesses. Thanks to generous support from Business Oregon, Point West is offering a limited number of grants for qualifying small businesses. The amount of the grant will be the greater of the following figures based upon a calculation for Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employment:

Businesses with 2 or fewer FTE – $5,000
Businesses with 3 or more FTE – $2,000 per FTE (cap of $50,000)*

Businesses that have previously received funding through the State of Oregon COVID-19 Emergency Business Grant program are eligible to receive additional funding and should click the following link, complete and submit the form. State of Oregon COVID-19 Emergency Business Supplemental Grant Application.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come-first served basis. All applications are due to Point West by no later than Friday, November 13, 2020. Please direct any questions to grants@pointwestcu.com. NOTE: The Public Charge Rule applies to these CARES Act funds.

Click HERE to view eligibility requirements and to apply!

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.

Click here for more information.

Click here to apply!

City of Beaverton COBID Outreach Event – November 10 at 6pm

Join the City of Beaverton and the COBID Office for information on the city’s equity program, upcoming projects, and certification!

The city aspires to achieve a minimum of 10% participation of firms certified by COBID in its overall dollar amount of contracting and purchasing activities, including goods and services, personal/professional services, architectural & engineering and related services, and construction of public improvements. There are three primary initiatives aimed at achieving this goal:

  • Good Faith Effort Program for Construction and Personal Services Contracts valued over $100,000
  • Increasing staff awareness and use of firms certified by COBID in procurements valued under $100,000
  • Annual reports and regular tracking of city dollars spent with firms certified by COBID

Click here for the Zoom Meeting info and general information!

WBEC Pacific and Skanska Opportunity Symposium – November 18 from 12 to 4pm

WBEC Pacific and Skanska partner to present upcoming Oregon and Washington State construction projects in an industry-specific virtual Open House for Women-owned, Diverse and Small Business, Contractors and Suppliers:

  • Aviation
  • Education
  • Medical
  • Technology
  • Commercial Development
  • Special Projects

Click here for more information and to register for the event!

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!

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.

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

TriMet - Upcoming Bids

Andersen Construction - PCC Metropolitan Workforce Training Center

Andersen Construction - PCC Metropolitan Workforce Training Center

Proposals Due November 20 by 2pm

Mortenson - Final Clean for the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Acoustic Enhancement Project

Mortenson - Final Clean for the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Acoustic Enhancement Project

Bids Due November 20 at 2pm

LMC - Cathedral Village

LMC - Cathedral Village

Bids Due November 13 at 5pm

LMC - Hayu Tilixam

LMC - Hayu Tilixam

Bids Due November 20 at 5pm

LMC - Home Forward Bid Phase 1

LMC - Home Forward Bid Phase 1

Bids Due December 4 at 5pm

Hoffman Construction - Upcoming Projects

Hoffman Construction - Upcoming Projects

ODOT - Fire Recovery Emergency Bidding Opportunity

ODOT - Fire Recovery Emergency Bidding Opportunity

ODOT - Notice to Contractors

ODOT - Notice to Contractors

Bids Due November 19 at 9am

ODOT - US101 MP 198.5-MP208.5 Tree & Vegetation Clearing

ODOT - US101 MP 198.5-MP208.5 Tree & Vegetation Clearing

Bids Due November 12 at 3pm

City of Portland - Pending Bids

City of Portland - Pending Bids

JW Fowler -  Upcoming Bids

JW Fowler - Upcoming Bids

Portland Public Schools - AE Terwilliger

Portland Public Schools - AE Terwilliger

Proposals Due November 17at 2pm

Portland Public Schools - FSCP Electrical Expansion

Portland Public Schools - FSCP Electrical Expansion

Proposals Due December 1 at 2pm

Portland Public Schools - FSCP Roofing Expansion

Portland Public Schools - FSCP Roofing Expansion

Proposals Due November 18 at 2pm

Lease Crutcher Lewis - New Road Ahead Project

Lease Crutcher Lewis - New Road Ahead Project

Bids Due November 17 at 2pm

Multnomah County - NE 238th Dr: Halsey St - NE Glisan St

Multnomah County - NE 238th Dr: Halsey St - NE Glisan St

Bids Due November 24 at 2pm

Multnomah County - Morrison Street: Willamette River BRIDGE PAINTING AND REHABILITATION

Multnomah County - Morrison Street: Willamette River BRIDGE PAINTING AND REHABILITATION

Bids Due November 10 at 2pm

Clackamas County - River Street Generator Replacement Project

Clackamas County - River Street Generator Replacement Project

Bids Due November 12 at 2pm

Metro Park & Nature - W. Sohler Demolition

Metro Park & Nature - W. Sohler Demolition

Bids Due November 10 at 2pm

PCC - PROVIDE and INSTALL WELDING EQUIPMENT

PCC - PROVIDE and INSTALL WELDING EQUIPMENT

Bids Due November 12 at 3pm

Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East - Multifamily Affordable Housing Developments

Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East - Multifamily Affordable Housing Developments

PBOT - Street Lighting, Traffic Signal, & Intelligent Transportation System Engineering Services Opportunities

PBOT - Street Lighting, Traffic Signal, & Intelligent Transportation System Engineering Services Opportunities

Coming Soon

Stacy and Witbeck - Red Line Expansion and Reliability Improvements Project

Stacy and Witbeck - Red Line Expansion and Reliability Improvements Project

Potential DBE Business Opportunities

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Visit our covid-19 resource page for a more comprehensive list of resources

Point west credit union – Additional grant funds are available

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an unprecedented toll on our local small businesses. Thanks to generous support from Business Oregon, Point West is offering a limited number of grants for qualifying small businesses. The amount of the grant will be the greater of the following figures based upon a calculation for Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employment:

Businesses with 2 or fewer FTE – $5,000
Businesses with 3 or more FTE – $2,000 per FTE (cap of $50,000)*

Businesses that have previously received funding through the State of Oregon COVID-19 Emergency Business Grant program are eligible to receive additional funding and should click the following link, complete and submit the form. State of Oregon COVID-19 Emergency Business Supplemental Grant Application.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come-first served basis. All applications are due to Point West by no later than Friday, November 13, 2020. Please direct any questions to grants@pointwestcu.com. NOTE: The Public Charge Rule applies to these CARES Act funds.

Click HERE to view eligibility requirements and to apply!

Oregon COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program

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!