Even on the busiest days when up to 75,000 passengers journey through Orlando International Airport (OIA), Stan Thornton enjoys the small moments when he is in the terminal, assisting a passenger or watching a family with excited children getting ready to board an Automated People Mover (APM), knowing it is their “first ride” in Orlando.

For Thornton, Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), these moments are integral to the airport’s focus on providing each of its nearly 43 million passengers annually with The Orlando Experience®, one that captures the essence of what makes Central Florida special. Behind these individual experiences are Thornton and his team ensuring the facilities, technology, processes, and training are in place to deliver on this promise tens of thousands of times each day.

Today as the South Terminal Complex expansion gets underway and the North Terminal continues to upgrade its facilities and integrate technological enhancements, Thornton is not surprised by the airport’s growth.

“As ground transportation, aviation, and multiple forms of rail meet here, we are becoming the hub for all of Florida,” he said.

Nearly 25 years ago when Thornton joined the GOAA team, he saw the potential future need for a project like the South Terminal Complex expansion. He agreed with former Orlando Mayor Bill Fredrick’s assessment, or perhaps prediction, that Orlando International Airport would lead the way to the region’s growth.

And as he experienced the daily ebb and flow of passengers and their increasing numbers throughout the years, watching Central Florida thrive and then weather the impact of 9-11 on air travel and later an extended recession, he remained confident of OIA’s place in the region’s future economy.

A valuable part of that economy are the small businesses serving the airport as skycaps, custodians, maintenance sub-contractors and more, plus those managing numerous shops and restaurants.

The word “growth” applies to many areas of the airport, and Thornton wants small businesses to know this especially includes them. He talks with pride about small businesses that started working on airport contracts as third-tier sub-contractors and today serve as prime contractors on multi-million dollar projects.

“Our organization is dedicated to ensuring the entire community shares in the prosperity of the airport,” he said.

Thornton also reminds small businesses the airport’s administrative team is very accessible, and that the Small Business Development Department is the best place to start. Referencing the level of services and opportunities available to small businesses, he said, “We grow you.”

Leadership Profile: Stan Thornton, Chief Operating Officer

JULY 2017

Stan Thornton A current view of the inside of Orlando International Airport

“This is the job you want to be part of,” was the message nearly 250 small businesses heard from Greater Orlando Aviation Authority COO Stan Thornton during the Small Business Development Department’s first presentation on the South Terminal project on June 29. Attendees were introduced to the scope of the $2.1 billion project of which approximately $350 million in construction contracts will be awarded to small businesses.

In addition to the project overview, the event was designed to provide interested small businesses the information they need to:

• Become pre-qualified sub-contractor, • Apply for M/WBE, LBD, or SDVOBE certification,• Receive bonding/surety and capital assistance,• Receive an overview of opportunities available to small businesses, and• Meet construction managers and prime contractors.

“The Small Business Development Department is dedicated to serving as an excellent resource and conduit for small businesses,” said George Morning, the department’s director.

The presentation was the first in a series of events and outreach activities hosted by the Small Business Development Department to identify, educate, and involve as many small firms as possible in the South Terminal Complex expansion. GOAA has a 30-year relationship with small businesses and is committed to awarding significant contracts for this project.

For those companies interested in pursuing contracting opportunities, prequalification is required in order to be eligible to respond to bid packages. This enables construction managers and prime contractors the ability to evaluate the qualifications and bids of similar firms prior to awarding contracts. Information on prequalification is available via the links at the end of this article.

Turner-Kiewit JV will serve as the construction manager for landside projects, which include the terminal complex, phase two of the parking garage, a central energy plant, a ground transportation facility, and Checkpoint Delta. This joint venture between Turner Construction Company and Kiewit Infrastructure South Company combines the talents of vertical and horizontal builders.

Hensel Phelps will serve as the construction manager for airside projects. These include the terminal, which will have the ability to serve international and domestic flights and accommodate an initial 16 gates. Additional work for the project includes the construction of roadways, aprons, taxiways, walkways, aircraft loading bridges, and security features.

Turner-Kiewit small business partners currently include:• Ardmore Associates, Inc.• Johnson-Laux Construction, LLC• P.A. Wallace & Associates, Inc.• PSA Constructors, Inc.

Hensel Phelps small business partners currently include:• Ace Rebar and Construction• EcoPreserve Services• Gomez Construction Company• JCB Construction, Inc.

• P.A. Wallace & Associates• Praise Contracting• RL Burns, Inc.• Votum Construction LLC

Opportunities for small businesses include:• Baggage Handling Systems• Concrete Formwork• Concrete Placing• Concrete Reinforcing• Concrete Supply• Daily Cleaning• Demolition• Document Reproduction• Doors/Frames/Hardware• Drywall and Framing• Earthwork• Electrical• Fire Protection• Floor Finishes• Glass and Glazing• Mechanical/HVAC• Medical Supplies• Metal Panels• Millwork• Miscellaneous Metals• Office Furniture• Office Supplies

• Ornamental Metals• Painting• Passenger Boarding Bridges• Plumbing• Precast Safety• Roofing• Rough Carpentry• Signage• Site Security• Special Systems• Specialties• Structural Steel• Survey/Layout• Temporary Fencing• Temporary/Construction Toilet Facilities• Trailer Complex• Trucking• Utilities• Vertical Circulation• Wall Finishes• Waste Hauling• Waterproofing/Sealants

Hensel Phelps’ projects anticipated to bid between July 1 and September 30 are:• Piles and Foundations• Site Logistics

• Site Utilities• Apron/Airfield Paving

More information is available at GOAA’s Small Business Development Department, Turner-Kiewit, and Hensel Phelps.

Small Business Development Hosts First South Terminal Complex Presentation

COO Stan Thornton, left, addresses the group of small businesses. George Morning of Small Business Development Department talks about the role that small businesses play in the project.

Turner-Kiewit’s upcoming project bid schedule from July 1 through September 30 is:Description Plans Release Bid OpeningParking Garage 6/26/17 7/27/17Parking Garage Finishes 7/11/17 8/24/17General Requirements 7/25/17 9/7/17OUC Ductbank 7/31/17 9/12/17Auger Cast Piles 8/4/17 9/4/17Central Energy Plant 8/7/17 9/20/17

The sky is the limit for Orlando’s Johnson-Laux construction firm which is now taking off to new heights.

The award-winning small business, led by founder and co-owners Kevin and Gina Johnson, has been tapped to work alongside construction partner Turner-Kiewit on the new South Terminal Complex, Phase 1 expansion at Orlando International Airport (MCO). It’s the firm’s biggest project to date, says President Gina Johnson.

“This is a once in a lifetime project for us. When Turner-Kiewit invited us to work on the South Terminal project, we were ecstatic! Opportunities like this don’t come along very often,” she says.

But landing a large-scale contract on a project of this size and scope didn’t happen overnight. Over the past 17 years, the full-service management firm has amassed an impressive portfolio of pre-construction and construction projects across Central Florida and the Southeastern United States that includes healthcare, aviation, government, hospitality, and education clients.

The South Terminal expansion marks a SBDD continuation for Johnson-Laux to work with GOAA and the agency’s Small Business Development Department, a working relationship that goes back to 2008. That’s when the small business was awarded a contract to construct a new 20,000 square foot pre-engineered hangar and attached 2,200 square foot office space at Orlando Executive Airport. A few years later, Johnson-Laux was tapped to renovate the interior and install a new elevator in Airside One that houses jetBlue at MCO.

Most recently, the company was asked by Turner-Kiewit to partner on another construction project at the airport, the Intermodal Terminal Facility. The ITF encompasses approximately 1.3 million square feet of terminal space for the Automated People Mover (APM) and three regional rail systems — the SunRail, the high-speed rail between Orlando and Miami, and a train system serving the International Drive area.

Construction is a small industry where building relationships and maintaining stellar reputations are highly impactful, especially for smaller firms. That relationship, explains Johnson, attracts larger companies like the Turner-Kiewit joint venture to continue partnering with those smaller businesses on future projects. She credits the company’s commitment to customer service with giving them an edge over other firms.

“We take ownership of each project. “We do what we say. We communicate. We follow up, and we follow through. That is our number one goal,” Johnson says, adding her team treats every client like it’s their first job.

“Our reputation with GOAA opened doors for us,” she explains. “Turner-Kiewit didn’t know our company personally, but they heard about our work, and they asked us to join them on the ITF project and now the South Terminal Complex expansion. It’s a gigantic undertaking, but we are up for the challenge!”

Currently, Johnson-Laux is handling construction management, pre-construction, and budgeting on the expansion project. The company expects to break ground over the next few months.

“We realized the importance of GOAA and are glad to have another opportunity to work with the SBDD. The department has done a tremendous job of outreach with small businesses in Central Florida over the years, and always striving to reach new businesses and support them in whatever capacity they need – from the certification process to contracts.”

Johnson says small business workshops, like the one SBDD hosted at the end of June, are crucial to getting the word out to small businesses skilled in all aspects of construction to learn about the opportunities to work on the South Terminal Complex.

“A project of this magnitude can be overwhelming for small businesses, but there are so many areas where firms can bid and get involved. There is a place for everyone on this project!”

Taking Construction to New Heights

Gina Johnson

Want to become more competitive in your bid for the South Terminal project and other lucrative government contracts? Get certified! If your business meets the qualifications among the six small business certification programs for minorities, women, and other special demographics, Michelle Holmes can help.

Michelle has been a Certification Administrator in GOAA’s Small Business Development Department for nine years. Under her experienced leadership, approximately 150 companies in the past 24 months alone have successfully attained certification that’s been an invaluable asset to their business development. It’s a process that Michelle says has become more streamlined and user-friendly.

“Everything is on-line for both new certifications and renewals,” Michelle explained. GOAA is one of 150 organizations nationwide that uses the Business Diversity Management System, or as it’s commonly called, B2GNow. B2GNow has simplified the certification and compliance process, and is used nationally to monitor $500 billion in contracts for 130,000 certified firms. Michelle says that most business owners find the on-line process faster, easier, and far more convenient than manual (paper) certification applications and renewals.

“The application gives you a green checkmark after each section has been successfully completed. You can’t sign and submit your application until you have answered each question and attached all required documents,” Michelle said. “It’s very easy, and companies can apply for more than one certification at the same time, provided that they qualify. And it’s free.”

It’s also secure. Because business owners must submit private and confidential information such as financial data and tax returns, all communications between the applicant and the B2GNow system are encrypted, with a secure log-in process that requires user authorization. Applicants’ information is stored on computer servers in a secure facility.

While most applicants successfully maneuver through the guided B2GNow process, Michelle realizes that a few business owners, perhaps those who aren’t familiar with some computer software systems, might need some additional support. “Our primary function is to make sure that we are certifying the firms’ compliance with federal rules and regulations, and to provide assistance to owners who have questions during the application process,” Michelle stated.

“We don’t complete applications for people, but we do have a Certification Kiosk set aside that’s available by appointment, where applicants may come in and complete the on-line process here.” She added that a new applicant may have questions during the electronic process, and may feel more comfortable completing it at the Small Business Development Department.

Michelle noted that requests for new certification and renewal average about 20 to 30 every month, but that there’s been increased activity with the new South Terminal project. “We’re now averaging about 40 requests for certification each month,” she said.

The most common obstacle for companies seeking certification, particularly if it’s a new application, is making sure they have all the required paperwork to scan and upload to the system. Some documents, such as a statement of personal net worth and the affidavit of application, must be notarized. While gathering the paperwork can be time-consuming, the benefits are rewarding. It’s not uncommon for a business to be certified in more than one program, thereby doubling its chances at earning a GOAA or other government contract.

Each certification has different renewal requirements, time limits, and require annual reports that include copies of current income tax returns. It’s rare that a firm isn’t in compliance or is perhaps less than transparent in its documentation, but it’s part of Michelle’s job to make sure the certification is valid.

“We collect business and personal tax returns, and can check banking records,” she said. In fact, Michelle Holmes sometimes feels more like Sherlock Holmes, since it’s her responsibility to review all the details and to make sure that, in her words, “the math adds up.”

“We check everything out,” Michelle said. “Most of our firms are honest and straight-forward, but we don’t accept things at face value.” It’s necessary for such due diligence to maintain the value and integrity of the certifications, and Michelle has annual training to review new procedures, issues, and concerns.

For more information on GOAA’s small business certification programs, please contact Michelle Holmes at 407-825-7132 or michelle.holmes@goaa.org.

GOAA Administered Certification ProgramsThe six certification programs administered through GOAA are:• DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

A for-profit small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals

• ACDBE – Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business EnterpriseA for-profit small concession business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one of more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals

• LDB – Local Disadvantaged BusinessA for-profit small business domiciled in the Local Area that meets the Revenue Limitations

• MWBE – Minority and Women Business EnterprisesA business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially disadvantaged individuals (minorities and women)

• SBE – Small Business EnterpriseA business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially disadvantaged individuals

• SDVOBE – Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business EnterpriseA business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans with a 10% disability; for 100% disabled veteran, by a spouse or caregiver of the veteran

Certification Administration is Turbulent-free at GOAA

Michelle Holmes, Certification Administrator

The Middlesex Corporation is one of GOAA’s busiest contracting partners, responsible for numerous projects for the South Terminal Complex and other independent projects such as the recently completed North Cell Lot. This heavy/civil contractor builds everything that supports a site including: emergency access stabilized roads, bridges, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, concrete road pavement, erosion control, storm water projects, and more.

James Wills, Vice President Construction – Southeast Region, works extensively with GOAA’s Small Business Development Department to identify and recruit sub-contractors for its various projects.

“The Small Business team is very helpful,” he said. “They provide opportunities to meet and get involved with new companies, which is beneficial. The construction market is very competitive right now and access to these resources is needed.”

Wills also is pleased that Middlesex’s relationship with the Small Business Development Department enables his company to identify qualified DBE, LDB, and MWBE sub-contractors and support small businesses in the region. He said that of the 25 most recent projects Middlesex has been a part of or is committed to, the company has worked or will work with ten DBE, seven LDB, and eight MWBE firms. “Of a recent $66 million in contracts, $23 million of that has been awarded to small businesses,” said Wills. “We’re proud of that.”

He continued, “We are very committed to the [Small Business Development Department] program. It’s a real partnership between us, the department, and small business contractors.”

Headquartered in Littleton, Massachusetts, and with a regional office in Orlando, Middlesex employs nearly 500 people in Florida and, in addition to GOAA, provides services to FDOT, Florida Turnpike Enterprise, Sunrail, and others. Additionally, through a separate division, the company is the largest supplier of asphalt in Florida and provides extensive paving services throughout the state.

Partner Spotlight: The Middlesex Corporation

Save the date for GOAA’s annual small business conference on Friday, September 22, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Orlando International Airport. This yearly program is essential for small, minority, women, veteran and locally owned businesses who want to maximize their growth and revenue through the Small Business Development Department programs. This year’s event focuses on the new South Terminal C-Phase 1 expansion with approximately $350 million in contracts set aside for local businesses.

“If you would like your small business to work on airport projects, you should attend. If your small business is currently working on airport projects, you should attend. There’s relevant information and presentations that will help you expand, enhance, and engage in opportunities that you might otherwise miss,” said George Morning, Director of the Small Business Development Department.

In addition to the latest information on the Airport’s $2.1 billion construction and expansion projects, the conference offers opportunities to learn about other business opportunities, concessions and professional services, badging requirements, procurement, certifications, and security operations. There will also be the return of the popular and informal “speed

dating” networking program, which gives small business owners the chance to meet face-to-face with contractors and sub-contractors.

The Conference is Friday, September 22 beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the Continental Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Be sure to read GOAA’s August digital newsletter for more details on program schedules and guest speakers. Pre-registration is encouraged by going to https://www.orlandoairports.net/airport-business/ or by calling 407-825-2672.

Sneak Peek at This Year’s Small Business Conference

Some of the more than 400 attendees GOAA Executive Director Phil Brown addresses the conference

Small Business Development’s George Morning