CHRISTINEO. GREGOIRE
Governor

STATE OF WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

P.O. Box 40002 • Olympia, Washington 98504-0002 • (360) 902-4111

For Release: Immediate Media Contact: Governor’s Communications Office
Date: Nov. 17, 2009 Phone: 360-902-4136

$6.4 million in Recovery Act grants headed for energy efficiency projects in smaller communities statewide
Funding will help save energy and support more than 100 jobs

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded $6.4 million in competitive Recovery Act grants to 43 applicants in small cities and counties for energy efficiency and conservation projects. Projects include energy audits and building retrofits, as well as energy efficient traffic signals and street lighting.

The funding is targeted to reduce fossil fuel emissions and help communities be more environmentally sustainable through reduced energy usage and improved energy efficiency in the building and transportation sectors. The work is also expected to save or create more than 100 jobs.

“This funding is a huge win for Washington state,” Gregoire said. “It puts people to work while advancing our state’s environmental goals. These projects will ensure energy efficiency, which will lead to large cost savings for our smaller communities.”

The Department of Commerce received 83 requests for a total of $11.5 million in energy efficiency and conservation block grant requests.

“Washington state is a national leader in energy efficiency” said Rogers Weed, director of the Department of Commerce. “This funding will help deliver important opportunities for immediate and long-term energy cost savings and jobs in many more small communities throughout the state.”

Cities with a population of less than 35,000, counties with a population of less than 200,000, and federally-recognized tribes were eligible to compete for the grants. To see the list of energy efficiency and conservation projects selected visit: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/Portals/_CTED/Documents/EECBG_newsReleaseAWARDS_final.xls

Commerce is administering more than $200 million in Recovery Act funding. For more information, visit http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/1164/default.aspx. For more information about the Department of Commerce, visit www.commerce.wa.gov.

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Washington State is administering the federal Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site (www.recovery.wa.gov) enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Barack Obama has appointed Vice President Joe Biden to oversee all states' recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.

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CHRISTINE O. GREGOIRE
Governor

STATE OF WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

P.O. Box 40002 • Olympia, Washington 98504-0002 • (360) 902-4111

For Release: Immediate Media Contact: Governor’s Communications Office
Date: Nov. 10, 2009 Phone: 360-902-4136

Washington receives $2.2 million in federal stimulus funds for broadband mapping and planning activities

OLYMPIA, WA – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced that Washington state will receive a grant of approximately $2.2 million to fund broadband mapping and planning activities under the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program.

The program enables collection of data to show which areas of each state are in the most need of increased broadband infrastructure and adoption. The data collected will be used to create an interactive and searchable map for use by the public with information such as where broadband service is available and at what speeds, and the type of technology used.

“This is exciting news for Washington state," said Gov. Chris Gregoire. "Broadband technology has the power to create jobs and is a key driver for our 21st century economy. These funds will allow us to create a plan that leads to investment in broadband infrastructure, and increases new development where broadband is needed most, especially in areas such as health, education, energy, and public safety."

To date, 15 states including Washington have been awarded funds under this program. The first eight states - Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Indiana, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, and West Virginia - were announced in October. The seven states just announced are Alabama, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

For more information about Washington's broadband mapping program, please visit the Washington State Broadband website at: http://www.broadband.dis.wa.gov.

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CHRISTINE O. GREGOIRE
Governor

STATE OF WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

P.O. Box 40002 • Olympia, Washington 98504-0002 • (360) 902-4111

For Release: Immediate Media Contact: Governor’s Communications Office
Date: Oct. 15, 2009 Phone: 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire announces broadband priority list to receive federal stimulus funding

OLYMPIA– Gov. Chris Gregoire today released Washington state's prioritized list of Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) stimulus applicants.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriated $7.2 billion in funding to expand broadband infrastructure and access across the United States. More than 2200 applications for this funding were received at the federal level. Each state's governor was given an opportunity to review and prioritize projects with an impact in their home state.

“I have prioritized applications which best meet the interests of Washington state,” Gregoire said. “These projects will help to create jobs and stimulate local economies. We are hopeful that these applicants will receive federal funds to help them jump start their efforts.”
The Washington State Department of Commerce first reviewed the applications for their potential to create sustainable jobs and stimulate economic growth. Next, the Governor’s Broadband Advisory Review Committee composed of senior technology experts determined which applications best met the federal program objectives and the recommendations described in the Governor's Broadband Advisory Council Report. Gregoire approved and submitted the committee’s list of preferred applications to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA):

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Grays Harbor Public Development Authority
Mason County Public Utility District No. 3
Northwest Open Access Network
Public Utility District of Pend Oreille County
Snohomish County
Tacoma Housing Authority
Tincan (Public Computer Center)
Tincan (Broadband Adoption)
Tri County Economic Development District

NTIA is conducting its own review, during which it will consider each state’s prioritization as part of its evaluation. NTIA is expected to announce which applicants will receive federal funding on a rolling basis beginning in November. It is anticipated that the rules for a second wave of BTOP funding will be released later this year.

For more information about broadband activities and efforts in Washington, please visit the Washington State Broadband website at www.broadband.dis.wa.gov.

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CHRISTINE O. GREGOIRE
Governor

STATE OF WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

P.O. Box 40002 • Olympia, Washington 98504-0002 • (360) 902-4111

For Release: Immediate Media Contact: Governor’s Communications Office
Date: Sept. 4, 2009 Phone: 360-902-4136

Washington receives $34.7 million to provide health insurance to employees of small businesses

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced that the state will receive $34.7 million from the federal government over five years to provide health insurance to employees of small businesses.

Washington is one of 13 states to receive the grants. Washington’s portion will be used to resume a program to provide health insurance to employees of small businesses in the state.

“I am pleased the federal government recognized the multi-agency effort we put together and rewarded us with this important grant,” Gregoire said. “I thank Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the federal Department of Health and Human Services for their support.”

The Health Insurance Partnership, the state’s program to provide subsidized health care coverage to employees of small businesses, was scheduled to enroll qualifying businesses earlier this year. However, the state’s financial crisis forced the program to shut down in late 2008.

The State Health Access Program grant from the federal Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration will allow the state to resume work on the program so it can be operational by Sept. 1, 2010. Subject to available funds and progress on the project, the state would receive $1.2 million the first year, $3.5 million the second year and $9.9 million in the following three years.

The federal grants are funded under the new State Health Access Program, an outgrowth of HHS’s State Planning Grant program that operated from 2000–07. Under this program, many states developed innovative plans that increased health insurance coverage for their uninsured residents.

The Washington State Health Care Authority, which was to administer the HIP program, is reviewing the requirements of the grant. It will announce a plan to resume the HIP program later this month.

The grant will also be used to underwrite the 2009 Legislature’s directive that the state Department of Social and Health Service develop a Medicaid waiver that would support national health-care reform. If approved by the federal government, the proposed waiver would give the state more flexibility in developing innovative approaches and program features that will provide seamless coverage for low-income residents in the future.

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STATE OF WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

P.O. Box 40002 • Olympia, Washington 98504-0002 • (360) 753-6780 • www.governor.wa.gov

July 2, 2009

TO: Cabinet Members

FROM: Christine 0. Gregoire, Governor

SUBJECT: ECONOMIC RECOVERY: SMALL BUSINESS OUTREACH

When President Obama and Congress enacted the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the President made a special point of describing his intention to use some of the economic stimulus funding specifically to support small business and disadvantaged business enterprises. I share that commitment and have directed the Recovery Team to reach out to small businesses across the state to publicize the opportunities presented by stimulus funding.

One of the best ways of ensuring that small businesses and women- or minority-owned businesses can participate in the work made possible through the Recovery Act is to make sure they are adequately informed of potential opportunities. Therefore, I am asking that all state agencies make a special effort to ensure small businesses, and particularly minority- and women- owned firms, receive prompt information whenever project opportunities become available. Specifically, I am directing all executive branch agencies to take the following steps:

· Include the following wording on the title page on all Requests for Proposals (RFPs), contract bid notices, and other notices of business opportunities funded in whole or in part with Recovery Act dollars: "THIS PROJECT / CONTRACT IS FUNDED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT."

· Post all Recovery Act-related RFPs, contract bid notices and other notices of business opportunities to your agency Recovery websites (or provide a link on your Recovery website to those documents) and ensure those postings can be accessed through the state's recovery.wa.gov site.

· Distribute all RFPs, contract bid notices and other business opportunities to the state Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) at the same time the RFP, notice or announcement is made public. OWMBE will then distribute these opportunities to companies that are certified by the state as minority- or women-owned firms. If you have questions, Cynthia may be reached by phone at (360) 753-9679 or at cynthiac@omwbe.wa.gov.

Thank you for your cooperation as we move forward with this critical effort.

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U.S. Department of Commerce MBDA - Minority Business Development Agency

New DOT Bond Program

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Current Opportunities

Closing Date		Description

December 2, 2009		Keystone Ferry Terminal Wingwall Replacement - Washington State Department of Transportation (Adobe PDF)
December 2, 2009		Two-Way Transit & HOV Operations Dowel Bar Retrofit - Washington State Department of Transportation (Adobe PDF)
December 2, 2009		Talley Way Interchange - Washington State Department of Transportation (Adobe PDF)
December 2, 2009		East of I-5 & I-205 Atis Infill - Washington State Department of Transportation (Adobe PDF)
December 3, 2009		Pine Creek Bridge-Replace Bridge - Washington State Department of Transportation (Adobe PDF)
December 3, 2009		NCR Seal 2010 - Washington State Department of Transportation (Adobe PDF)
December 9, 2009		N Kelso to Harrison Ave Vic Paving and Safety Project - Washington State Department of Transportation (Adobe PDF)
January 6, 2010		Alaskan Way Viaduct-Replacement-S Holgate to King St-Stage 2 - Washington State Department of Transportation (Adobe PDF)
January 21, 2009		Hyak to Snowshed Vicinity Phase 1B-Add Lanes and Bridges - Washington State Department of Transportation (Adobe PDF)
		Notice to DBE Certified Firms: Amtrak's Small Business Utilization Office asked OMWBE to forward this on to DBEs who may have an interest in Amtrak projects. Jacobs Project Management Company (Jacobs) is seeking qualified design/build firms interested in participating in Amtrak’s nationwide projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Capital grants have been awarded to construct, renovate, repair and/or upgrade properties for Amtrak and other railroad owners throughout the United States. In support of Small Business (SB) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Amtrak has set an ARRA goal to achieve via prime or subcontract opportunities, twenty-five percent with Small Businesses and ten percent with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Design/Builders will be responsible for completing the design (currently at 30 percent) and to construct, renovate, repair and/or upgrade the facilities through turnover. All improvements must be completed by February 17, 2011. SB and DBE firms with core competency and relevant design/build experience are invited to submit to Jacobs, the first of a two tier prequalification requirement consisting of, a brief statement of their capabilities in any of the following areas; Mobility/ADA; Facility; Security and Life Safety; Platform Lighting, (MA and RI only); Fall Protection; or, Track Work. If interested, submit a brief prequalification capability statement, including contact information, and interest as a prime or subcontractor, not to exceed 5 Megabytes, via USPS or e-mail to: Ms. Dorothy Thom, Program Support Manager Jacobs Project Management Co. Three Tower Bridge Two Ash Street Conshohocken, PA 19428 dorothy.thom@jacobs.com Based on this information, Jacobs will determine which firms will be included in the 2nd tier prequalification. If your company is selected, Jacobs will send you prerequisite forms for completion. Jacobs will then determine, based on the prequalification information, which firms will be invited to propose on these projects, some of which may be designated as a Small Business Set-Aside opportunity. Please note that if awarded, the Design/Builder will be required to enroll into the Jacobs Contractor Controlled Insurance Program (CCIP). Statements of capability from firms interested in Subcontract opportunities only will be provided to prime contractor proposors for their consideration. For more information on specific project opportunities, please visit Amtrak’s web site at http://procurement.amtrak.com => “SB/DBE” tab.