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OPPORTUNITIES CENTER NEWSLETTER

Ward 8 Business Named:

“2012 District of Columbia Small Business of the Year”

Volume 3,Issue 5-Spring 2012

On Saturday, April 21, 2012, Congresswoman Norton

awarded Francis Lee Contracting (FLC) the “2012 D.C. Small

Business of the Year”. The award recognizes FLC’s tremen-

dous growth as well as its commitment to the community.

While working under Balfour Beatty on the site work for the

perimeter security, the company has demonstrated relentless

strides in hiring D.C. residents from the Opportunities Center

database. The firm also moved its headquarters to Ward 8.

In addition to this honor, the White House and the Small Busi-

ness Administration (SBA) selected FLC to join President

Obama and two other companies for a small business round-

table on May 16, 2012. The meeting was an opportunity for

the President to hear first-hand accounts of how these suc-

cessful companies are leveraging SBA resources and his poli-

cies to grow their businesses and spur job creation. Francis Lee Contracting (FLC) is a site development firm based in Wash-

ington, D.C., specializing in excavation, site concrete, clearing, and demo-

lition. The company’s ownership team, Geary Powell, Terry Smith, and

Brian Smith (pictured above), collectively have over 60 years of experi-

ence in the construction and development industries. FLC has completed

projects throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for both pub-

lic and private-sector clients. FLC’s certifications include, CBE, DDOT,

MDOT, VDOT, and WMATA with MWAA and 8(a) pending.

FLC is committed to improving the local community by hiring and develop-

ing District-based companies and employees. Brian Smith is a founding

member of the Community College of the District of Columbia’s Industry

Council for Workforce Development, an organization focused on prepar-

ing residents to compete for jobs in construction and other local indus-

tries. FLC is also actively involved in mentoring other small businesses.

President Obama meeting with business leaders for a small busi-

ness roundtable. Pictured clockwise are Kathy Rachels, owner

of Yes! Organic Markets, Brian Smith, principal of Francis Lee

Contracting, and Karen Mills, SBA Administrator .

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

NEW LOCATION for the Francis Lee Contracting Headquarters!

2019 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave., S.E, Washington, DC 20020

OPEN HOUSE will be held on JUNE 21 2012 from 5:00pm - 8:00pm

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MINORITY BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Capitol Energy Group, Inc.

Opportunities Spotlight Local Resident Profile

Alfred G. Howell was hired through the Opportunities

Center by the St. Elizabeths 2012 Small Business of the

Year, Francis Lee Contracting. For over six months, Mr.

Howell has worked as a heavy equipment operator cur-

rently performing earthwork on the West campus. He

has over 26 years of experience in the construction indus-

try. Mr. Howell is a proud Washingtonian and Ward 4

resident.

CEG is currently working on three of the largest projects in the

District of Columbia, U.S. Coast Guard at the St. Elizabeths Cam-

pus, Progression Place-The United Negro College Fund Building,

and the D.C. City Center Project. In addition, CEG has com-

pleted projects for Anacostia Senior High School, Unity Health-

care with Forrester Construction Company and Building K167 in

Southwest D.C. with Forest City Developers. These projects cre-

ate a unique growth opportunity for CEG to achieve its goals.

CEG has now become the largest African American glass and

window company in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area.

For more information contact Capitol Energy Group Inc. at (202) 309-8748 or

via email nj@capitolenergygroup.com

Norman H. Jones, CEO

Capitol Energy Group, Inc.

Capitol Energy Group Inc. (CEG)

is a glass and window company

located in Washington, DC. CEG

was incorporated in 2008 and re-

ceived its Certified Business Enter-

prise (CBE) designation from the

District of Columbia Department of

Small, Local, and Disadvantaged

Business in 2009. The company’s

Chief Executive Officer Norman H.

Jones Sr., has over 30 years of

experience in the glass/glazing and

window industry. CEG’s goal is

twofold, to provide jobs for resi-

dents and to promote the glass/

glazing apprenticeship program in

the District of Columbia.

Opportunities Center Highlights

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS

January 9-January 31, 2012

Our “One Warm Coat Drive” was a huge success.

Enthusiasm from our NCR family, One Constitu-

tion Square, the Office of Infrastructure and Cam-

pus Development, the Federal Protective Ser-

vices, Grunley Construction, Balfour Beatty Con-

struction, and General Dynamics resulted in an

overwhelming volume of gently used coats,

shoes, and other warm clothing items.

Participating Groups and Homeless Shelters

Ward 8 Homeless Shelter, 201 Martin Luther King Jr., Ave, S.E.

Children of Mine Youth Program, 2236 Mt. View Place, S.E.

Goodwill Greater Washington, 2200 South Dakota Ave, N.E.

The Salvation Army, 3304 Kenilworth Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20781

Capital Hill Group Ministry, 1338 G Street, S.E.

New Generations, 3749 1st Street, S.E.

“Spring into Learning”

Oxon Run Park Literacy Day

On Saturday, April 14, 2012, team members from St. Elizabeths’ Infrastructure

and Campus Development and General Dynamics Information Technology

partnered in celebrating the Oxon Run Park Literacy and Kites Community Event,

sponsored by Councilmember Marion Barry’s Ward 8 Parks Committee, Jump-

start DC and Kites for Peace. Jumpstart DC currently partners with 284 Corps

members to work with almost 800 Washington, D.C. preschool children living in

low-income neighborhoods in and around the District. Jumpstart brought learn-

ing and literacy alive by providing a host of activities such as an ABC scavenger

hunt, circle time, story read alouds, and face painting. In addition, children also

created and flew kites specifically designed with slogans of peace. Kites for

Peace made their mark in Washington, D.C. in 2008, flying kites with positive

slogans above the Washington Monument. They engage volunteers in the local

area to focus on establishing peace, respect, cooperation and a deepened un-

derstanding of our role as world citizens. The kites designed at the event were

sent to children of military troops in Afghanistan.

A special thanks to the General Dynamics staff for volunteering with such pleas-

ant and welcoming spirits and for providing lunch to the children and families that

participated in the event. We are also appreciative for the ongoing support from

the Federal Protective Services; their presence at the event enhanced the safe

and orderly atmosphere for everyone.

One Warm Coat Drive

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS

“Ready, set, test!” Balfour Beatty Construction and Clark Construction help students fuel up for

the DC Comprehensive Assessment System (DC CAS)

The Brown Education Campus located in

Ward 5, was named after Hugh Mason

Brown, a prominent educator and historical

native of Washington, D.C.

Our Office of Infrastructure and Campus Development “Good Neighbor” initiative was

reflected when Balfour Beatty Construction and Clark Construction donated meals and

snacks to the Browne Education Campus, located at 850 26th Street, NE, Washington,

D.C. On April 17, with the help of Federal Protective Services (FPS), we were able to

successfully deliver well over five hundred (500) snack and meal items that were used

by students during the District’s Comprehensive Assessment System (DC CAS). The

exam dates were held during the week of April 17, 2012 – April 27, 2012. Studies have

indicated that children who eat healthy meals tend to perform better academically. All

test takers from third through sixth grade at the Browne Education Campus received

healthy meals during the comprehensive assessment to help ensure top student per-

formance. The goal was to provide 135 students with a total of five (5) breakfasts,

lunches, dinners, and snacks. With such a tremendous outpour of generosity and kind-

ness, we exceeded the expectation!

Again, thank you Balfour Beatty Construction and Clark Construction for your continued

community support!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Community Leaders

Meeting Dates

Schedule

June 8, 2012

July 13, 2012

August 10, 2012

September 14, 2012

October 12, 2012

November 9, 2012

December 14, 2012

GSA invites you to learn more about the

development of the St Elizabeths West Campus!!

Upcoming Summer Tour

Date: Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Time: 9:00am-10:30am

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS

“Restoring beauty to our Ward 8 parks” Cherry Blossom Tree Planting in Oxon Run Park

On Saturday, April 28, 2012 the National Cherry Blossom Festival and

Casey Trees partnered with the Willow Terrace community and other

surrounding neighborhoods to host a tree planting event at Oxon Run

Park. Oxon Run Park is located at Mississippi Avenue and Wheeler

Road, is the largest municipal park in Washington, D.C. “The National

Cherry Blossom Festival has been committed to further enhancing the

natural beauty of Washington, D.C by planting new cherry trees in

neighborhoods across the city”. Thanks to the commitment and hard

work of over 120 volunteers, this monumental event resulted in the

planting of fifty (50) beautiful cherry blossom trees. St. Elizabeths vol-

unteers included Karen London, Assistant Project Manager with Balfour

Beatty Construction, JoAnne Acevedo represented Washington Gas/

Honeywell, and Jerita George from GSA’s Office of Infrastructure and

Campus Development team. Inspector Sedley Randolph of the Federal

Protective Services also assisted the volunteers with lifting and exca-

vating trees.

The Ward 8 community is planning to host an annual picnic to celebrate

the new found beauty of Oxon Run Park. Our outreach program will be

extended to the residents in the neighborhoods surrounding the Oxon

Run Park area to adopt a tree and provide care in the initial growth

stages.

Washington Gas/Honeywell provided lunch for the event. Other spon-

sors included: Macy’s, Toyota, and Canon.

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St. Elizabeths’ Project Promotes

Sustainability in Design

Upcoming Events

On May 16th and May 18th, 2012 GSA participated in two

American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention

Tours entitled “Connecting the Past with the Future:

Sustainable Redevelopment of St. Elizabeths West

Campus”.

Each tour was attended by thirty (30) visiting architects

from the across the United States and several foreign

countries. The tours highlighted early sustainable design of

the Center Building and Campus. It also focused on the

sustainability efforts of the redevelopment of the campus.

The attendees were guided on a construction watch walk-

ing tour of the site, the new USCG HQ building and existing

buildings that were in the process of being renovated and

some buildings prior to renovation.

The most “sustainable” feature of the campus redevelop-

ment is that 51 out of 60 historic structures are being re-

tained, restored and used for office space and support

space for the campus.

The existing buildings (Buildings 33 and 34) under renova-

tion presently will feature both photovoltaic and solar ther-

mal renewable energy usage and rainwater harvesting for

reuse in toilets and for irrigation of landscaping.

June 7, 2012

“BRICKS, STICKS, BOOTS, AND BONDS!”: Bond Workshop

June 15, 2012

General Dynamics Information Technology host “Invitational”

June 20, 2012:

Senior Nature Walk and Tai Chi

June 20, 2012

8(a) Small Business Workshop

August 4, 2012:

Ward 8 Back to School Bash with DC Public and Charter

Schools

August 15, 2012:

Senior Dance with Mayor Gray

For more information on specific locations and times for

our events, please contact the Opportunities Center on

202-561-6910 or email us at oppscenter1@gmail.com

Calendar Events/Sustainability Report

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Quick Links

U.S. General Services Administration

www.gsa.gov

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

www.dhs.gov

United States Coast Guard

www.uscg.mil

National Capitol Planning Commission

www.ncpc.gov

U.S. Small Business Administration

www.sba.gov

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

www.fhwa.dot.gov

Advisory Council on Historic Preserva-

tionwww.achp.gov

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

www.norton.house.gov

Federal Business Opportunities

www.fbo.gov

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

www.acquisition.gov/far

GSA Acquisition Manual (GSAM)

www.acquisition.gov/gsam/gsam.html

Washington DC Metro Council

www.dclabor.org

DC Preservation League

www.dcpreservation.org

USCG Hdqtrs-Clark Construction Group, LLC

www.uscgproject.com

Balfour Beatty Construction

www.balfourbeattyus.com

Grunley Construction Company, Inc.

www.grunley.com

U. S. Department of Labor:

www.dol.gov

2701 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE St. Elizabeths West Campus, Gate #2

Hours of Operation: Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

oppscenter1@gmail.com

Join Our Mailing List

Employment Summary as of May 2012

Total Overall Employed to Date: 3,320 Overall D.C. Residents: 561

Get Certified! Workshop For Small Business Subcontractors

This year, Grunley Construction hosted three “Get Certified” workshops.

Please see the table below for details.

Month

Number of

businesses

Registered

Number of

businesses

Attended

January 3 1

February 4 1

April 10 2

Procurement opportunities

for small businesses

Assistance on completion

of 8(a) certification

Information to assist in

small business develop-

ment

Information on employment

opportunities

On-site computer lab

Conference room available

for community meetings

For additional information, contact LaJuan Stevens

GSA Lead Opportunities Coordinator at (202) 561-6910.

We encourage small businesses to register! For more information

regarding upcoming workshops, contact Carrie Lieberman at carielieberman@grunley.com

SERVICES