Trenton, NJ
(February 10, 2003) - Plans to establish 29 sites throughout New
Jersey to help enable minority and women-owned contractors and consultants
to get over a hurdle that has prevented them from participating in
bidding on the statewide $8.6 billion school construction program
were announced today by Governor James E. McGreevey.
According to the
Governor, the NJ Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) and the NJ
Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC) agreed to work together
to provide minority and women-owned contractors with no-cost, one-on-one
assistance to help them become pre-qualified to do business with the
SCC.
"The rigorous
pre-qualification process can seem daunting to many, but by participating
in this joint NJSBDC/SCC assistance program, construction firms can
increase their chance of successfully navigating the process and gaining
access to a multitude of diversified school construction projects
worth millions of dollars," said Governor McGreevey. "We are excited
about the opportunities for real growth and development this program
will offer New Jersey contractors. The assistance will not only benefit
the small contractor, but in the long run will contribute to the betterment
of public school facilities for children across our state."
Administrative
procedures for determining program eligibility, attracting participants,
tracking progress, gaining crucial participant feedback and evaluating
the its success will be developed by NJSBDC. The service is designed
to help ensure that paperwork is no longer seen as a barrier to applying
for pre-qualification with the SCC.
Under the agreement,
trained NJSBDC representatives in 11 centers and 18 additional satellite
offices around the state will work with participating contractors
over the next three years to determine their eligibility for the program,
and to help each complete and file required pre-qualification forms
with the SCC and other state agencies.
SCC Chief Executive
Office Al McNeill said that while there is no charge to the contractor
for this assistance, there are costs associated with being pre-qualified.
"Participation in this assistance program does not guarantee pre-qualification.
Pre-qualification is determined only following a comprehensive review
of the paperwork submitted through the assistance program," said McNeill.
"NJSBDC representatives
will walk each contractor through every single pre-qualification form
until all questions are answered," said NJSBDC State Director Brenda
Hopper. "By facilitating this program, NJSBDC continues its 25-year
tradition of supporting and nurturing New Jersey's minority, women,
and small business enterprises."
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SCC &
NJSBDC Sign Memorandum
of Understanding
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SCC's Office of
Diversity and Emerging Business Markets program manager, Dan D. Kirton,
will supervise and monitor the program. The SCC, under the educational
Facilities and Construction Financing Act, is responsible for financing,
designing and constructing all of the school facilities projects in
the State's 30 special needs districts and in districts which receive
55 percent or more in state funding for education.
Click
here for NJSBDC Filing Locations (PDF)
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