Construction Bids

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District will use Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) to expedite construction of the proposed Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex project.  This Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction project, when complete, will reduce the risk from storm surge for residents and businesses in the west bank area,

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) allows members of the construction industry to participate in the early stages of the design and planning for this $500 M plus project.  ECI also enables the Corps to incorporate innovative construction sequencing techniques into the proposed plan for the West Closure Complex project. 

“Early Contractor Involvement is a beneficial tool for all those involved due to the magnitude and complexity of the project ahead.  The New Orleans District has never used ECI as an acquisition strategy before, and we are excited about the benefits it brings to this momentous project,” said COL Alvin Lee, New Orleans District Commander. 

The Corps will host a Pre-Proposal Conference on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, at the New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway Hotel to discuss the terms and conditions of the ECI solicitation with members of the industry.  Further information is available at: http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/EBS/cont_preproposalconference.asp as well as at: www.FedBizOpps.gov.  The project solicitation number is W912P809R0004.

Unprecedented Work Ahead

The proposed West Closure Complex would reduce the risk of storm surge from an event that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year for a majority of the west bank area by preventing storm surge from entering the Harvey and Algiers canals. 

The Corps’ proposed action for the project will require an unprecedented    20,000 cubic feet per second storm water drainage pumping station, the largest of this type in the nation.  The proposed complex also features two navigable floodgates, as well as levee and flood wall construction.  In addition, the project is adjacent to an Environmental Protection Agency wetland area of national significance, and construction impacts on this area must be kept to a minimum.  

The Corps is working in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency, federal and state resource agencies, non-federal partners, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank, as well as other interested stakeholders, to develop the best engineering alternative with the fewest unavoidable environmental impacts.

Digital Media

Years ago, the Digital Media bill passed but was sidetracked by Katrina.  This year, there has been major gains in Baton Rouge and now in New Orleans.  GNO Inc. has created a consortium that is building great momentum.  You can join the online networking group to help jumpstart an industry which the Jindal Administration fully supports.  Go to http://gnodma.ning.com/ and sign up and participate.

Blackwater

Blackwater New Orleans, LLC, a wholly owned entity of Blackwater Midstream Corp. announces that it has finalized a new lease for storage capacity with a Louisiana chemical manufacturer at its recently acquired Westwego, Louisiana facility. The lease will start in mid-January and is expected to add approximately $500,000 in net earnings in 2009.

Blackwater New Orleans, LLC completed the acquisition of NuStar Energy’s 855,000 barrel storage terminal on December 23, 2008. Mike Suder, Blackwater Midstream Corp.’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Adding a new customer to our Westwego site so quickly after our acquisition of the facility signifies the commitment to our business plan to expand the use of the terminal and bring value to our customers and to our shareholders.”

Frank Marrocco, Chief Commercial Officer of Blackwater Midstream Corporation, added, “Matching underutilized assets at our Westwego terminal to a customer’s need for storage capacity along with a high level of stewardship is the role that Blackwater New Orleans brings to the port of New Orleans storage market. Expanding the customer base is an important first step for the facility and supports our business plan of assisting customers in running their business more efficiently. We endeavor to establish and maintain long term relationships; while being a key service provider in our customer’s supply chains.”

Wetlands

The America’s WETLAND Conservation Corps (AWCC) announced today that its members more than doubled their goals for volunteer recruitment and service projects in 2008.  

“For the second year in a row, Corps members have not only met, but far exceeded our expectations,” said Val Marmillion, managing director of the America’s WETLAND Foundation.  “I’m so proud of this program and of our members for doing such great work.  The extraordinary success of this program is a testament to the fact that our young people are committed to serving their communities and helping to stop the loss of our precious wetlands.”

New Orleans Area Education

The “Aspiring Leaders” is a program of the School Leadership Center that provides relevant training for the next generation of school leaders. It is six seminars, with homework assignments, based on the Louisiana Principal Standards and including the necessary components to be a successful principal, educator, or school leader.  The event will be the Lindy Boggs Building, Room 257 at 2045 Lakeshore Drive New Orleans from 9 AM - 1 PM.  Nearly 70 local public and parochial school teachers are attending the series. The list of participants is attached. Speakers include Dr. Brian Riedlinger, President, SLC and other educational experts.

Subsequent sessions will be held March 7 and May 9, focusing on subjects such as leadership styles, building school improvement, and preparing for advancement within the school environment. For more information, call Dr. Betty Porter, Director of the Research Program, at 504-723-8996.

The School Leadership Center of Greater New Orleans is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing educators to lead schools in which teaching and learning are enriched and optimized. The Center serves public and non-public schools in five Louisiana parishes: Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, and Plaquemines.

Technology

The Louisiana Technology Council's TechAssistLA program has received funding for a second year and is currently seeking new clients for 2009!  All services are FREE to qualified small businesses and non-profit organizations (located in the Katrina/Rita affected zone), and are provided by Member Companies of the LTC (www.ltc-la.org).

Services may include:

• web development and marketing issues
• computer hardware and software assessments
• computer/internet security assessments

In 2008, over seventy-five local businesses and non-profits received direct assistance through the program's consulting services, with even more attending free seminars on topics such as New Technology for Small Firms, Web Development and Marketing.
 
This Technical Assistance for Small Firms Grant is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grants, and managed by Louisiana Economic Development's Business Recovery Division.
 
Don't let your small business miss out on this opportunity!
 
Apply online for FREE technical assistance at http://www.techassistla.com - click on the 'Request Assistance' link to begin the application.

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