It is almost impossible to read a newspaper or listen to a newscast without being reminded that the country is beginning to return to normalcy. Activity can be found everywhere. Projects, initiatives, and opportunities are being announced daily.
The activity level in government marketplaces is close to an all-time high. Pent up demand and critical issues are driving public officials to launch essential projects of all types. It is a good time to be a contractor or supplier to the government.
Not only do government entities have new federal funds destined to reach them soon, but citizens also are supporting bond elections in record numbers. The following upcoming opportunities represent the diversity that will be available to contractors throughout the U.S.
A $553.2 million bond package was passed recently by citizens of Irving. It includes numerous transportation improvements, such as street lighting, traffic signals, sidewalks, and paving improvements. It also will fund new public facilities and public safety enhancements along with upgrades to the city’s Criminal Justice Center.
Not to be outdone, citizens in Plano passed a $364 million bond that includes dozens of upgrades and enhancements to public safety facilities and existing municipal facilities. Nearly $82 million has been allocated for park renovations and improvements, and $231 million is earmarked for street improvements.
One of the larger bond packages to pass in Texas will benefit the Liberty Hill ISD community. Voters approved $491.7 million for various campus improvements as well as new campuses. Technology upgrades and new buses are included along with $101 million which is earmarked for land purchases for the new campuses.
The city of Anna passed a $58 million bond package that will help finance the construction of a new public library and community center, a new fire station, and park enhancements.
Citizens in Bentonville, Arizona, approved a $266 million bond package that includes new equipment for public safety, upgrades and enhancements to parks, roads, an aquatic center, library, and fire station.
Voters approved a $29 million bond package in Haltom City that will allow city leaders to launch a project to construct a new law enforcement center. It will include emergency operations, training facilities, secure parking, and spaces for information technology infrastructure, secure storage, and community resources.
Many bond elections featured large allocations for improvements to public school districts. The Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas will benefit from passage of a $254 million bond package that will provide funding for the rebuilding of five campuses and upgrading of other school campuses.
A $74.2 million bond package was approved by voters for Alan Park Public Schools in Michigan. That bond package allocates funding for robotics instructions, new technology equipment, and numerous equipment upgrades on school campuses.
Citizens interested in the Ladue Schools in Missouri passed a $126 million bond package that will allow school leaders to improve four campuses and launch numerous other projects including an expansion to a gymnasium.
Bastrop ISD got approval from voters for a requested $183.65 million bond package that includes two new campuses, technology upgrades, safety and security upgrades, and numerous renovations.
Other bond elections are pending throughout the country. Experienced contractors know that two key components of success in government procurements are ‘early identification’ and ‘early involvement locally’.