October 2020 Newsletter
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.”
~Winston S. Churchill~
Next PBDG Meeting
Wednesday October 14, 2020 • 4 – 5:30pm
We invite you to join us for our monthly membership meeting!
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.
Click on the flyer below to be taken to an interactive PDF where you can acces the Zoom link.
Upcoming Classes
Click on the class list below to be taken to our interactive PDF of October 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 Credits.
***Our October classes are free for COBID Certified or Minority/Women-Owned construction firms to attend. For all others, class fees are $100.
We look forward to having you join us!
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Kenechi Onyeagusi, PBDG Executive Director
Hello,
This month, PBDG will be focused on outreach. We are fully operational on all of our programs and will be implementing some great new communication tools to make sure you do not miss a class, event or appointment at PBDG. Please ensure that you are following us on Linkedin and Facebook to get updates on resources as they become available. For members or partners interested in the Fire debris cleanup work, please email information@pbdgweb.com to indicate your interest and we will follow up with you with some specific information.
The Fourth round of the Business Oregon grants is now available. Based on the feedback we received from some of you who had a hard time accessing the first three rounds, PBDG has been working tirelessly with some like minded nonprofits to help shape the policy around the 4th round of funding. Per the most recent guidance, businesses that have previously received funding through the state of Oregon COVID-19 Emergency Business Grant program are eligible to receive additional funding where they previously where not able to. Please take a look at the application link included in the newsletter, check for eligibility and please apply. We are grateful for the support of all of our friends at OSBU and Business Oregon for all the hard work done on this to ensure that our small businesses survive. PBDG members, if you need help applying for the grant, please contact the PBDG staff team.
The PBDG Foundation is an IRS recognized 501C3 organization and we appreciate everyone that has given their time or resources to support our efforts. As we approach the end of the year, do not forget to ask for a tax receipt for any donations you make, we are happy to provide you a donation receipt.
This month we will have some wonderful guest appearances from industry VIPs who do so much to support our certified subcontractor firm community, I hope you can make it to our meeting on October 14 from 4 to 5:30pm.
On a last but very important personal note, I would like to encourage everyone one of you to please vote, our nation collectively depends on your individual voice.
Welcome to October I wish you good health, safety and clarity
Member of The Month
Partner of The Month
New Member Spotlight
Industry News
Event & Meeting Details
Invitations to Bid
Member of the Month
Gale Schmidt, Founder and Former Owner
Website: https://www.a2fab.com/index.htm
Phone: (503) 771-2000
After more than twenty successful years of being in business, Gale Schmidt, founder of A2 Fabrication, has decided to retire. In the mid 90s, Gale invented a modular metal ramp system for wheelchairs; when she couldn’t find anyone to make them, she decided to learn how to weld and opened A2 Fabrication in 1996.
During her years in business, Gale has worked on many notable and award winning projects. Some of these projects include providing the ornamental railing, miscellaneous architectural elements and light structural features for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project. She also made and installed the stainless-steel winding railing and the enclosure for the Condor Exhibit at the Oregon Zoo. This project won Gale a NOMMA (National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association) international award for outstanding craftsmanship in 2015. Another notable project for A2 Fabrication was the Vancouver Waterfront where they made and installed 800 feet of railing that had steel netting infill and an even combination of stainless steel and galvanized framing. The Vancouver Waterfront project also won Gale another NOMMA award; A2 Fabrication won the 2019 Gold Award for Top Jobs in the Nonforged Exterior Railings & Fences Category.
In addition to her work on many notable and award-winning projects, Gale is also an outspoken advocate for promoting diversity in the construction trades. When she first started her journey in construction, she was faced with much prejudice because she was a woman in a largely male dominated industry. Through hard work and determination, she became a successful business owner and used her position to proactively encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion within her business and community. “Periodically, we will discuss diversity in our morning meetings. I try to get the privileged among us to notice that our neighbors do not have things as good as we do, that the system is not equal. I’ve brought in trainers and had diversity training. I often speak of news events that show disparity and try to raise awareness. It’s easy to think a problem does not exist if we only see our immediate circumstances. It’s important to see things from the other side.” Gale was recently acknowledged for her work to advance diversity and equity; she was one of several winners of the DJC’s 2020 Building Diversity Awards.
Gale’s hard earned retirement is not the end for A2 Fabrication. Instead of closing down shop, she decided to transfer ownership to new owner Chris Mote. Even under new ownership, A2 Fabrication will continue to provide outstanding products and quality of service. In her newfound retirement, Gale will her continue to pursue her passion of woodworking and playing more tennis.
PBDG would like to congratulate our longtime member and friend on her well-deserved retirement. We also commend Gale for her outstanding effort and commitment in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our local construction community!
Partner of the Month
Website: https://www.hamil.com
Phone: (541) 746-2426
Hamilton is a heavy civil contractor that has been building bridges and connecting communities since 1939. Our corporate office is located in Springfield, Oregon and we have regional offices in Portland (Oregon), Olympia (Washington), Denver (Colorado), and Sutton (Alaska). Hamilton has spent 50 years working in Portland, and in the last 5 years alone we have worked on the Broadway, Burnside, Hawthorne, Morrison, and Steel Bridges, as well as the I-5 & I-84 Interchange Rehabilitation Project. Later this year we will be rehabilitating the I-5 Bridge going into Vancouver.
Hamilton’s chairman, Scott Williams, is a graduate from Oregon State University and has been a staple of the transportation system in Oregon for over four decades. His construction experience includes roles as field engineer, estimator, construction manager, project manager, and the president and chairman of Hamilton. Scott has managed and provided overall executive oversight on complex bridge and highway projects delivered under many alternative delivery systems including CM/GC (Construction Manager/General Contractor), design-build, progressive design-build, and negotiated contracts. He has provided his expertise to ensure alternative methods are applied fairly and in the public’s best interest. Under Scott William’s leadership, Hamilton has been a leader in the development and utilization of minority contracting firms, with a special emphasis on workforce diversity development.
The construction industry is changing. More and more, contractors are able to use infrastructure projects to create opportunities to unite communities, restore social justice, and develop a long-lasting, skilled, and diverse workforce. Partnering and including all voices in the community is the key to success. Looking at just transportation projects over the next 5-10 years, we expect to see well over 2 Billion dollars invested in infrastructure projects in the Portland metro area alone. The potential for growth is outstanding. There will continue to be opportunities for someone who wants to start a business, continue to grow an existing venture, or personally become involved in a building trade.
Hamilton has been a member partner of PBDG from the beginning. We appreciate the group’s mission to improve business conditions for their members, and the construction industry as a whole. The work PBDG does is important because promoting social and economic justice through building a diverse workforce and mentoring DBE subcontractors and suppliers is vitally important. Simply put, it’s the right thing to do. We have strong relationships with many PBDG members including Faison Construction, Pacificmark Construction and Valley Growers just to name a few. Through our existing partnership with PBDG, we have been able to provide technical assistance, educational opportunities, and extend our workforce outreach to incorporate diverse participation on every aspect of a project.
New Member Spotlight
June Kalkhoven, Owner/Manager
Phone: (503) 816-1312
Website: https://oxbow-construction.com
Email: june@oxbow-construction.com
June began her journey in the construction industry in 1984. She started as a flagger at Kimsey Construction, and later became the President and majority shareholder of a successful construction supply company, Northwest Nail & Staple in Portland. Throughout her construction career, June encountered many people who needed excavation work or had septic system issues and could not get anyone to help them. Since June had an excavator, loved working outdoors and helping people, she saw an opportunity to fill a need and opened Oxbow Construction in 2005.
Oxbow Construction specializes in underground utility work; specifically maintenance hole rehabilitation, water and sewer line installation and repair using various means and methods, including CIPP, HDD, pipe bursting, and open cut. About 95% of their work consists of public works projects. One of June’s notable projects is the SE CIPP Project (Cured In Place Pipe) for the City of Portland. This was a sewer pipe lining project that covered multiple areas and neighborhoods. Oxbow Construction rehabilitated the old and failing sewer mains by inserting and curing a new liner inside them with what essentially becomes a new pipe (liner) within a pipe. These newly lined pipes should last another 50+ years, and are more environmentally friendly option than open cut/trench installation. An additional benefit of this installation process is that it’s much less disruptive to neighborhoods and traffic. Another significant project for Oxbow Construction was The Powell Butte Reservoir where they completed the installation of vault shoring, excavation under large diameter 84 and 90 inch waterlines and Value engineered the vault drain lines, horizontal direction drilling them which resulted in a cost savings to the City of Portland of $700,000.
A defining moment for June was when she realized just how complex the underground labyrinth of pipes and utilities were that bring clean drinking water to your faucet, prevent storm water from flooding your neighborhood and keep toilets flushing, and what horrible shape much of it is in. She took these out of sight conveniences and necessities for granted, until she got her first public works project doing maintenance hole (aka manhole) rehabilitation for Clean Water Services. Her job was to power wash them, stop the leaks, complete structural repair, then line the inside of deteriorating maintenance holes with epoxy. This was a relatively new process and became the beginning of her move into Public Works projects. She loved the fact that you could restore what was already there with little environmental impact and get something functioning better than new again. June found the storm/sewer underworld was intriguing AND in need of expansion and repairs; June found her niche.
Project Capacity: $3.2 Million
Oxbow Construction is DBE, ESB, and WBE certified.
Industry News
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE APPLYING FOR ANY GRANTS, PLEASE LET US KNOW
Burnside Bridge Replacement Plan Updates
The policy group that is managing the process to establish the future of the Burnside Bridge is now in support of the project. Multnomah County is now one step closer to confirming the Burnside Bridge Replacement Project. The group’s decision to support the idea was the result of the public’s chosen solution coinciding with the least expensive option. The estimated cost of this project is around $825 million. Multnomah County is looking to create an essential crossing that is able to support vehicles across the Willamette River, even after a large earthquake occurs. The Burnside Bridge, which was built in 1926, may very well collapse during a sizeable earthquake.
Click here to read more.
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
- 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!
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!
2020 Presidential Election: Make sure you are registered to vote!
The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election is only a month away. If you are able to, it is very important to participate and cast your vote!
The deadline to register to vote in Oregon is October 13, so make sure you are registered today!
Click here to register to vote.
Click here to confirm your Voter Registation Status.
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!
Know any contract graphic designers?
ECO is restructuring our marketing department, and we are in the process of hiring a marketing and communications manager. We have long had a bench of talented design contractors, and we’d like to expand that bench at this time. We are looking for a contract proposal coordinator who could help us with:
- Proposal and deliverable layout, working with our branding guidelines and templates
- Ensuring our proposals meet RFP requirements (working with proposal managers and directors)
- Infographic and brochure production, TBD
We are looking for someone with A/E/C proposal coordination experience and excellent graphic design skills who would be available during the weekdays. The contract work would be variable, but could average from 1-3 proposals per month.
Interested? Please get in touch with Emily Picha (picha@econw.com) with your resume and work samples.
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
Pence - Upcoming Bids
Clackamas County - Sunsprite Drainage Modifications
Bids Due October 15 at 2pm
Washington County - System Furniture Components-Sit Stand Desks, as Needed
Bids Due October 22 at 2pm
Deacon - 1414 SW Park
Bids Due October 13 2pm
Deacon - KOZ ON KILLINGSWORTH 2
Bids Due October 23 at 5pm
Hoffman Construction - Upcoming Projects
ODOT - Fire Recovery Emergency Bidding Opportunity
ODOT - Notice to Contractors
Bids Due October 22 at 9am
ODOT - Fanno Creek Stockpile Site New Salt Storage Shed
Bids Due October 14 at 2pm
City of Portland - Pending Bids
JW Fowler - Upcoming Bids
Walsh Construction - Dekum Court
Bids Due October 12 at 2pm
Walsh Construction - Upcoming Projects/Bids
Portland Public Schools - Middle School Design Partnership
Proposals Due: October 20 at 2pm
Lease Crutcher Lewis - VBA Renewal
Bids Due October 13 at 5pm
Lease Crutcher Lewis - Silver Lea Demolition
Bids Due October 15 at 2pm
PCC - Cascade Campus Public Safety Building and Medical Simulation Center
Bids Due October 23 at 2pm
PBOT Construction Contracting Opportunities
Through Fall 2020
Stacy and Witbeck - Red Line Expansion and Reliability Improvements Project
Potential DBE Business Opportunities
PBDG COVID-19 Related Meetings and Class Recordings
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!
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
