Fair provides tips for winning school construction bids. (Up Front).

Between the Los Angeles Unified School and Community College districts, there's roughly $2 billion worth of construction work for prime and sub-contractors on the table, and officials from both agencies are making it clear: they want your bids.

Representatives from both entities held a June 3 workshop at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys as part of the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley's 2003 Procurement Trade Fair. There, they joined roughly 20 other leading companies and state agencies to offer interested bidders details about how to make contact with their firms and what their bidding policies are.

The LAUSD and CCD officials took part in one of six separate workshops, this one titled: "Accessing Business Opportunities for Educational Bond Projects."

Over the course of the next six years the LAUSD is planning on building 159 new schools across the county and has roughly 12,000 facility modernization projects connected to its $7.4 billion master plan, supported by three different bond measures and developer funding. This year alone, the district intends to award roughly $1 million of those contracts.

Meanwhile, combined funding from Proposition A, passed in 2001, and Prop. AA, passed in May allocates roughly $2 billion for capital improvements for each of the CCD's nine campuses including three in the Valley: Pierce, Mission and Los Angeles Valley colleges.

So, what's the best strategy for getting your contract bid in the hands of the decision-makers?

To begin with, know what the job requires, says Sam Yishida, LAUSD's director of facilities contracts.

"We are looking for design firms, contractors and subs to help us build new schools and we want new blood," said Yishida. "But we are looking for competition and we want people who know about the projects when they come to us."

He suggested going to the LAUSD web site for updates on individual projects and, for subcontractors and other businesses, learn which prime-contractors have been awarded contracts already. Go to their sites for details before getting in touch with them.

"It's crucial you know the project and anyone connected to it before you bid," said Yishida.

Yishida said the district's new Chief Facilities Executive, Jim McConnell, is attempting to streamline the bidding process and working to cut down payment schedule timelines as an incentive to attract businesses that have previously shied away from work with public agencies.

"We know cash flow back to contractors and subs can be painfully slow," said Yishida. "But it used to take six months and we've got that down to about 34 to 36 days, on average. We think 14 days would be ideal."

Bidders, whether contractors or subcontractors, should be prepared to provide financing for the initial project and have access to revenue to cover any changes or setbacks.

"We want to see good documentation of your credentials and your financing," said John Cheung, vice president of contracts for Tishman Construction Company, which has contracts with LAUSD.

Cheung added that clearly written, wellorganized proposals get quick attention because the proposal, like a resume, is a reflection of how a bidder operates on the job.

Fernando Valderon, a vice president, project manager for Pasadena-based Gateway Science & Engineering, which has contracts with the CCD, agreed. Gateway has contracts with Mission College in Sylmar, which has been awarded roughly $111 million in Prop. A funds, and is set to receive more funding through Prop. AA.

"Know that you are bringing the right team to the table," added Valderon. "Do background checks on your workers, know their value to your company and the project."

Finally, every bidder can benefit from attending workshops offered by both the LAUSD and CCD on pre-qualification requirements for the bidding process.

In addition to what qualifications are required, pre-qualification sessions also offer information about specific state guidelines for the job. For example, both the LAUSD and CCD must include project labor agreements in their contracts, such as living wage or diversity hiring mandates.

"Many firms don't want to work under project labor agreements, and if you are one of them, you need to know those requirements ahead of time," said Cheung.

RELATED ARTICLE: Where Bidders Can Get Help

LAUSD Seminar

The Los Angeles Unified School District Facilities Services Division/Small Business Outreach Program is conducting an eight-week seminar beginning on July 15 for small contractors seeking contracts for school bond construction and other projects.

Topics include: bonding and certification, bidding for informal and formal contracts, access to capital and labor compliance.

The deadline to register is July 9. Contact the LAUSD at [phone] or by email: [e-mail].

For more information, or go to their web site: www.laschools.org.

VEDC Workshops

The Valley Economic Development Center in partnership with the LAUSD is also holding a one-day, pre-qualification workshop for contractors interested in bidding on school construction and renovation projects.

The workshop will be held Wednesday, June 11 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the VEDC at 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys.

For reservations or more information contact: Gilbert Buchanan at [phone].