GSA PBS Small Business Conference

(New York City, New York) Businesses and government officials alike packed the sold out GSA PBS “Together Building Change” conference. For some of the attendees this was their first visit to New York City. In addition to workshops, exhibits, networking and matchmaking sessions, there was an evening reception held at New York City’s Carmine’s Landmark Restaurant.  Carmine’s closed its top floor to accommodate the large number of people who participated in the evening reception.  The conference officially opened on May 27, 2009 with the flag ceremony performed by the award winning NYC Xavier High School ROTC, followed by world renowned tenor, Mr. Michael Amante performing the Star Spangle Banner.  

The morning session was standing room only and the conference attendees were pleasantly surprised to be welcomed by Vice President Biden. “It is my honor to welcome each of you to the General Services Administration Public Building Services “Together Building Change” Conference. You are the architects, construction managers, engineers and support providers that literally build up America,”  his welcome letter continued, “You’re an important part of helping this recovery succeed and with all of us working together, we can build lasting change. (Vice President Biden’s letter is available in its entirety online at www.gsabuildingchange.us).  GSA Officials then continued with the morning program.   

The conference was geared to small businesses in areas of Construction, Architecture / Engineering, Maintenance, Real Estate, Facilities Support Services, HVAC services; prime contractors seeking small businesses to meet their contracting requirements; and those seeking training, government contracting and/or networking opportunities. Workshops and classes were scheduled with breaks geared to networking. 

The luncheon keynote speaker Mr. Andy Frankl, CEO/Founder of NYC based IBEX Construction whose client list and projects include Microsoft, Nordstrom, Cartier, NY Public Library, Columbia University addressed the packed GSA audience observing “although times are tough now and all in the room are facing the challenge of our lives, from adversity comes innovation and new way of thinking.”  He spoke about his parents who were holocaust survivors. He reminisced about his humble beginnings and the importance of never giving up by taking care of your client to the bitter end, “it is not enough to do great work, you have to make sure people hear about it especially through networking.” He stated.  Mr. Frankl also praised the GSA, noting that there is a lot of work available through the GSA due to the size of its portfolio.

Ms. Lenore Janis, President and Co-Founder of Professional Women in Construction preceded Mr. Frankl, also inspiring the audience by recounting how difficult it was and still is at times to be a woman in business and especially in the construction industry.  However, staying on course and focused in spite of adversity is key to success.  She spoke about the progress women and other minorities have made in the industry and the road ahead. 

Mr. William Fife, President of The Fife Group and former Chief Planner for the Port Authority, followed Mr. Frankl.  Among his many lessons learned and shared with the audience, he noted all should practice FUBB – follow-up beyond belief. If you have an opportunity to meet someone, write their name down, and follow up tomorrow.   

The luncheon concluded with a special presentation of a Proclamation from the City of New York.   It read in part: “Alan J. Gerson, Council Member of the 1^st District is proud to honor the United States General Services Administration on the 2009 inaugural “Together Building Change” small business conference held in New York City; and whereas small businesses have provided the backbone that build New York City and small businesses continue to provide the services that maintain the city’s infrastructure and that keep New York City running while employing many city workers, and the GSA should be praised for maintaining a small business office and creating a conference for small businesses that will serve New York City and its many businesses informing such businesses about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, capital projects, small projects, subcontracting information, bid information. The proclamation also highlighted GSA Region 2, located in Federal Plaza, Manhattan, fiscal year 2008 award of 536 small business contracts totaling over thirty-eight million dollars, the majority of which went to New York and Tri-state businesses, adding to job creation for New Yorkers.  (the proclamation may be read in its entirety online by visiting www.gsabuildingchange.us)

The conference agenda workshop highlights included; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Stimulus Package) – GSA has been allocated money for construction, repairs, and alterations of Federal buildings; planned projects, the Green Initiative – GSA's energy saving efforts; the Green products and services contracted for / by the government, Capital Projects – Project Managers discussed the conception to completion of large Federal construction projects and Small Projects – Property Managers discussed the maintenance of Federal buildings; includes a discussion about marketing to Public Buildings Service (PBS), National Broker Contract – A discussion of PBS’ major real estate contract and related opportunities for small business concerns, Subcontracting Opportunities – A discussion led by GSA contract holders, particularly large firms looking for Small Business partners, Socioeconomic Categories – A discussion of the Small Business Administration (SBA) certification processes, Facilities Maintenance Schedule Seminar – Understanding the process of obtaining the usage of this schedule. The event concluded with a networking and matchmaking program.

GSA Public Buildings Service (PBS) mission is to provide superior workplaces for federal customer agencies at good economies to the American taxpayer.  GSA PBS is the largest public real estate organization in the country. It has an inventory of over 342 million square feet of workspace for 1.1 million federal employees in 2100 US communities.  This comprises more than 1500 government owned buildings.

GSA PBS engages private sector architects, construction managers, and engineers to design and build award winning courthouses, border stations, federal office buildings, laboratories, and data processing centers.  It works to maintain and restore the vitality of communities where GSA has a presence.  PBS also leases space to federal customer agencies and repairs, alters and renovates existing buildings.

In addition to GSA PBS, three of the other GSA hosts are; The GSA Office of Industry Relations, responsible for maximizing the purchasing power of PBS and this is accomplished through business intelligence, sound acquisition policy, knowledge of industry and vendor offerings and national acquisition strategies. The GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), delivering best value and innovative solutions in information technology, network services and professional services to support government agency missions worldwide. The GSA’s Office of Small Business Utilization (OSBU), advocates for small, minority, veteran, HUBZone, and women business owners. Its mission is to promote increased access to GSA’s nationwide procurement opportunities. GSA small business office participants – Liz Ivey, Gwen Anderson (GSA Headquarters, Washington DC) Frank Mayer, Janice Bracey and Jennifer Heno (GSA Region 2, New York City, Federal Plaza)

The conference organizers are: GSA schedule holders Gallagher & Gallagher Worldwide, Inc., the senior lead organizer and conference contact is Daisy Gallagher, AMA, PMP /202-465-0009 /info@gsabuildingchange.us