The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) kicks off its Small Business Development Program with a free networking symposium on Thursday, June 9, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, 8201 Eastern Ave.

Local minority, women, and/or disadvantaged businesses interested in advancing their companies and enhancing their knowledge of sewer rehabilitation work and related support services are invited to attend the June 9 event.  DPW is targeting companies that specialize in concrete construction, construction program/project management, excavating, landscaping, pipeline installation, post construction clean-up, scheduling, sediment and erosion control, sewer construction, site work, traffic control, or underground utilities.

Businesses currently certified in these areas and those interested in becoming certified are invited to network with project managers and prime contractors while learning how the Small Business Development Program can boost their ability to compete.

Representatives from the Mayor’s Office, DPW and the Baltimore City Small Business Resource Center will be available to address questions from attendees.

The City’s Consent Decree sewer improvement order involves landmark design, rehab and construction to its wastewater system to repair sewers that are more than 100 years old. The result will be cleaner streams and waterways in Baltimore City, a more robust and reliable infrastructure, and a more welcoming environment for residents and industries.

12-Week Training Session

A major component of the Small Business Development Program is a 12-week training session slated to begin in July 2016. All companies in the specialty areas listed must complete an assessment questionnaire prior to registering for the training program to become contract-ready for potential consent decree sewer improvement work.

Classes include:

• Safety, a 10-hour OSHA certified training;
• Contract Administration -- understanding and executing contracts
• Scheduling -- effective and realistic scheduling to complete projects “on time and within budget,”
• Estimating & Bidding -- hands-on training with actual estimating and bidding exercises; 
• Conflict Resolution -- protocol, methodology, and legal considerations;
• Construction Accounting & Finance -- learning about the dollars and cents of construction and how to do business with the City of Baltimore, and a complete coverage of City requirements and procedures; and  
• Construction Best Practices -- specialized training for trenchless sewer repair, site restoration, manhole repair, and lateral connections.

For additional information or to register for the Small Business Development Program, call 410-433-2400 or visit DPW’s Small Business Development Facebook Events Page.