District 11

Thursday, Apr. 3, 2008

Contact: Public Information Officer Cathryne Bruce-Johnson Phone: (619) 688-6670

Caltrans Hosts Small Business Networking Fair for Architectural and Engineering Services

SAN DIEGO –The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will host a networking fair on Friday, expected to draw more than 420 business owners from across the San Diego Region.

The Caltrans Architectural and Engineering and Related Services Fair will take place from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the courtyard of its Office Complex in Old Town San Diego, 4050 Taylor St. The purpose of the fair is to promote interaction between small businesses and state agencies to help Caltrans meet its small business goals.

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California (CELSOC) have teamed with the Caltrans District 11 Small Business Council to offer the fair.

"We are hoping to increase participation from Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise small businesses in Caltrans contracts," said Caltrans District Director Pedro Orso-Delgado. "The fair enables small business owners to shake hands and share qualifications, and develop long-term business relationships."

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this week announced that California's small and disabled veteran businesses are registered at record-breaking numbers to compete for the state's more than $9 billion a year in contracts, and exceeding goals he put forth two years ago. There are now 16,005 certified small and disabled veteran businesses able to bid on state contracts, up from 12,000 just one year ago.

Key program and project managers and staff will be on hand during the fair at designated networking stations to answer questions and share information on their respective upcoming contract needs. Agencies including the San Diego County Airport Authority and the Port Authority of San Diego are planning to solicit for 30 to 40 A&E and related services contracts totaling $110 million to $150 million during the next six to seven months.

More information about the fair and other small business networking opportunities is available at http://dot.ca.gov/dist11/small_business.htm/.

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