U.S. General Services Administration
R9 Highlights Land Ports of Entry Program, Contract Opportunities to San Diego Construction Network
By Javier Fernandez
On April 11, Region 9 representatives from the Office of Small Business Utilization and Public Buildings Service briefed a group San Diego construction industry professionals about the Pacific Rim’s regional Land Ports of Entry (LPOE) program as well as how to apply for contracting opportunities for current and planned construction projects. A group of 15 local professionals representing small, medium and large architecture, engineering, construction and construction management firms attended the event hosted by the California-based Construction Network.
Maria Ciprazo, Regional Chief Architect and Design and Construction Division Director, provided an overview of current construction projects in San Ysidro and Calexico, California and spoke about future projects in Douglas and San Luis, Arizona. Ciprazo also spoke of GSA’s mission to not only construct facilities that meet the mission of our client but are also energy efficient, cost efficient and reduce the port’s overall environmental footprint.
“GSA along with our client CBP have looked to the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry to set the bar for the design of land ports of the future,” said Ciprazo. “We are building facilities designed to stand for a long time so we are intentional about the lifecycle of the material we choose in order to ensure they can stand up to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic of a 24/7 operation which is the case for many of our ports of entry.”
“We’re also committed to building sustainable facilities by providing fixtures that are energy efficient and water efficient,” Ciprazo continued. “We have used cutting-edge materials like Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) as roofing material for all primary and secondary canopy areas, which minimizes the need for artificial daytime lighting and keeps Customs and Border Protection officers 10-15 degrees cooler in the shade.”
Pamela Smith-Cressel, director for the regional Office of Small Business Utilization provided an overview of the steps small businesses should take to pursue a GSA schedule contract and how to do business with the federal government using FedBizOpps, which details open contracting opportunities for all federal agencies, not just GSA. Smith-Cressel also spoke about the GSA Forecast of Contracting Opportunities which provides information on planned prime contracting opportunities and makes it easier for vendors to find such opportunities.
“In Region 9, we are working hard to ensure that we expand opportunities for small businesses across our portfolio by strengthening partnerships and supporting the success of our vendors,” said Smith-Cressel. “Our focus to expand contract opportunities for small businesses and meeting and exceeding agency-wide small business goals is a priority at GSA.”
Recognizing the important role small businesses play as job creators and economic engines for the nation, GSA places extra efforts on reaching and informing small businesses about how to partner with the federal government. Regionally, GSA has ambitious small business contracting and subcontracting goals it seeks to achieve. For example, for the San Ysidro LPOE modernization and expansion project exceeded small business and subcontracting goals for Phase 1 of the project.