Corps of Engineers Baltimore District hosts 2015 Industry Day

Published April 15, 2015
Contractors meet informally during the 2015 Industry Day sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, on April 10.

Contractors meet informally during the 2015 Industry Day sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, on April 10.

Jeff Snyder, acting chief for Military Programs, discusses emerging trends in military construction projects with the attendees at the 2015 Industry Day.

Jeff Snyder, acting chief for Military Programs, discusses emerging trends in military construction projects with the attendees at the 2015 Industry Day.

Col. Trey Jordan, Baltimore District commander, greets the more than 300 attendees at the 2015 Industry Day and provides a briefing on how the Corps of Engineers needs contractor engagement to complete its programs and projects.

Col. Trey Jordan, Baltimore District commander, greets the more than 300 attendees at the 2015 Industry Day and provides a briefing on how the Corps of Engineers needs contractor engagement to complete its programs and projects.

Tamika Gray, small business advocate at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, notes the current level of contracts in multiple categories to the audience at the 2015 Industry Day.

Tamika Gray, small business advocate at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, notes the current level of contracts in multiple categories to the audience at the 2015 Industry Day.

More than 300 representatives from 190 companies joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, leadership and program managers at the 2015 Industry Day at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, Maryland, on April 10.

“Communication is essential to our business,” said Col. Trey Jordan, Baltimore District commander, in his opening remarks. His overview briefing familiarized the audience with the programs, projects and people of the Corps of Engineers, as well as noting key mission areas in the Baltimore District. He emphasized the reliance of the Corps of Engineers on the contracting community to accomplish a wide variety of projects. “We need you to partner with us.”

Overall, Jordan noted that the district had to put out[e1]  contracts worth more than $1.6 billion in a wide-range of unique projects by the end of fiscal year 2015. Jordan highlighted one specific area for contracts in architectural/engineering since “we cannot meet all of our project design needs.”

He noted that even after the historic level of projects and funding from the 2015 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, the fiscal year 2015 district workload is higher than before BRAC.  He also emphasized that the district serves demanding customers with projects that are highly visible, politically sensitive, impacting on a community, divisive and often hard to do.

Following Jordan, the district’s program managers presented briefings for fiscal year 2015 projects with a look ahead to fiscal year 2016 for military construction, the secure environment, civil works and environmental projects.

Jeff Snyder, acting chief for Military Programs, identified the 23 projects that were either in source selection (highlighting sub-contractor opportunities) or that will be advertised this year. Jim Simms, deputy chief for the Real Property Services Field Office, highlighted their mission critical facilities program for projects in 2015 and 2016. Chris Nolta, chief for Civil Projects, identified the six projects in the civil works portfolio that will be advertised in fiscal 2015 and the eight projects in support of the Washington Aqueduct. Mike Rogers, chief of the Environmental and Munitions Design Center, emphasized their missions in remediation of formerly used defense sites and general environmental services.

Tamika Gray, the district’s small business advocate, and Valerie Robinson, Small Business Administration, highlighted the process and importance of correct registration with the SBA to assist in obtaining contracts.

Following the presentations, the program managers hosted breakout sessions where individuals had the ability to speak with the project managers and support staff in a one-on-one setting. This included representatives from several small business-oriented organizations including Service Corporation of Retired Executives, the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, and the Small Business Development Center.

The district advertises its projects via FedBizOpps and on LinkedIn. Also, to encourage continued awareness, all of the Industry Day briefings are available at http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/portals/63/docs/BusinessWithUs/IndustryDay2015/Presentation.pdf.

Event photos are located on the district’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USACEBaltimore?ref=stream&fref=nf.