Hear Centennial CEO in Free Webinar

Centennial's president, Mark Bailey will speak on the topic of Job Order Contracting (JOC) during a new webinar presented by RS Means. Centennial has been starting up and operating successful JOC programs for public entities, both federal and state funded organizations for over 20 years. In addition, Centennial has experience completing projects under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.

The webinar, “Job Order Contracting, the Stimulus Ready Delivery Method” will be presented August 19th, at 2 pm ET.

In addition to Mark, John Murray, State of Missouri Division of Facilities Management and Allen Henderson, Consultant, Former Facility Manager Texas State University will speak. Robert (Bob) Gair, Principal, RSMeans Business Solutions will moderate the discussion.

The presentation will address what partnering actions owners can take to promote the successful use of JOC at their facilities and will provide an overview of typical JOC contractor- submitted project proposal content as well as basic tips for the owner regarding JOC proposal review. Mark will share insights from the JOC Contractor’s point of view to help in the successful start up and ongoing relationship development.

The webinar is free. To attend, please visit Reed Construction Data’s website.

Centennial is Giving a Fish Hatchery a Facelift

Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery in Tupelo, Miss., is scheduled to get several major improvements, thanks to stimulus funds.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a contract for $976,807 to Centennial Contractors Enterprises of Reston, Va., in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, popularly known as stimulus funds. The hatchery improvements include a new office / visitor contact station, repairs to the historic manager’s residence that is used by the public, and a new well and pump to provide water to raise imperiled fish species.

Ricky Campbell, the hatchery manager said, "This multi-part project is going to make a big difference in how the fish hatchery does its job, and in the way we interact with the public. In addition, the nearly $1 million contract is going to be felt right here, benefitting the local economy. The majority of the contract will go to a new office / visitor contact station on the grounds of the hatchery. The office building now being used for visitors and school groups has suffered from structural damage and is no longer large enough or dependable enough for the hatchery’s needs."

Established in 1901, Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery is named after the local Congressman who gave a tongue-in-cheek speech in Congress arguing for funding for the hatchery, which included: “thousands and millions of unborn fish are clamoring to this Congress today for an opportunity to be hatched at the Tupelo hatchery.” It’s located in downtown Tupelo, one of the only fish hatcheries in an urban setting.

For more information: http://www.fws.gov/pvtjohnallen/

Virginia Business Interviews Centennial About ARRA

Robert Burke from Virginia Business magazine recently analyzed stimulus funds in Virginia to see where the money went and what it was used for. He interviewed Centennial and one of its subcontractors, Pool’s Window and Doors Service, about work performed in Virginia through stimulus funds. In “The Big Fix” Centennial described how its use of IDIQ (indefinite quantity/indefinite delivery) contracts is quicker than your average delivery method at getting projects started and relies on hundreds of local subcontractors.

What has been missing in the ARRA funds is the contracting methods allowing the dollars to get to the local, small businesses. This is a challenge for local communities and could be why it is hard to see the funds actually showing up in the local markets across the US. That is why Job Order Contracting (JOC) is a great fit with the ARRA funding. It allows for open, best value, competitive bidding on an umbrella program and from that point out the funds can be driven to the local communities and mainly to the local subcontracting base.