PORTLAND, ORE. - Two small U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects recently made big impacts in the Northwest: the Trestle Bay Ecosystem Restoration and the Spirit Lake Tunnel Repair projects.
Their impacts weren’t limited to accomplishing the projects’ goals of restoring environmental benefits and flood risk management. The projects were completed by two small businesses based in southwest Washington that were selected for the big benefits their expertise offered to both the Portland District and the regional economy.
The two companies that worked on the Trestle Bay and Spirit Lake projects, LKE Corporation and Catworks, LLC, have worked on other Corps projects; they’re familiar with the government acquisition process, which has its nuances. The Corps would like other businesses to be familiar with the process, so recently held two industry day events designed to explain how to effectively do business with the federal government.
The events included a general introduction to the federal contracting process, information about the tools needed to do business with the Corps, the Best Value process and how to improve project proposals.
“We recognize that navigating the federal contracting process with its many regulations and requirements isn’t easy,” said Carol McIntyre, deputy for Small Business for the Corps’ Portland District. “We wanted to offer an opportunity for business owners who want to compete for government contracts to ask questions and hear from the Corps' acquisition professionals to learn how to bid effectively and do business with us.”
The Portland District’s Small Business Office looks for companies that have the services and products the District needs to accomplish its missions: businesses that can provide everything from supplies and materials to construction services.
“We understand businesses are exploring new technologies and innovative engineering methods,” said Col. Jose Aguilar, Portland District Commander. “It’s important for our project teams to meet with these businesses’ representatives and exchange information. That needs to happen in an environment that balances both parties’ needs, while respecting fair contracting opportunities.”
Additionally, Corps representatives provided information about upcoming opportunities, including the Corps’ jetty rehabilitation projects at the Mouth of the Columbia River. The huge undertaking will rely on sub-contractors, including small business owners, to provide materials like thousands of tons of jetty stone that must meet specific quality thresholds.
“We’re still in the planning stages for these projects,” said Jerry Otto, MCR Jetty rehabilitation project manager. “We felt it was important to share what we know: estimates for stone quantities, testing requirements, potential measurement and payment options. Giving the industry advance notice of requirements gives them the opportunity to increase their competitiveness.”
Providing information prior to the contract bidding process at events like industry day workshops and online forums such as FedBizOpps gives potential bidders time to conduct the required testing and obtain the permits they’ll need before the Corps can effectively evaluate the quality of the stone and the reliability of the source.
The Corps is dedicated to developing small businesses and maximizing their opportunities to take part in the federal procurement process. Business owners who want to compete for government contracts have an ally in the Corps, whose specialists will help them learn to navigate the labyrinth of rules and requirements that are the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Events like the industry days ensure that the Corps has a broad base of qualified suppliers able to support its missions. What benefits can small business owners gain working with the Corps?
“We can nurture small businesses until they become large businesses - and in return they become valuable partners who can meet future government needs,” McIntyre said.