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The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Small Business Boot Camp is an eight week program that provides small contractors with the tools necessary to improve their competitive capacity through a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum. At the conclusion of the eight-week program, graduating small contractors will be ready to bid on LAUSD contracts, and will be well-prepared to pursue contracts with other public agencies. The program has both short and long-term benefits for participating contractors and will serve to expand the District's pool of qualified contractors. The Small Business Boot Camp will provide a definitive curriculum on the following topics:
The Small Business Boot Camp seminars are conducted at the following locations to ensure access and participation by small contractors. Central Los AngelesLocation: TBDStart Date: TBD East Los AngelesLocation: TBDStart Date: TBD San Fernando ValleyLocation: TBDStart Date: TBD Seminar DescriptionsBonding & CertificationLearn how to increase your company's bonding capacity through the U.S. SBA's Surety Bond Guarantee Program, and participate in Contractor BondWorks, the District's bond and finance assistance program. Contractors will also apply for the LAUSD Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification for future recognition in the District's 25% SBE goal. Public Contract LawAn LAUSD attorney will walk contractors through a contract and explain its components to familiarize and better prepare their company to comply with contract performance requirements, and to understand both short and long-term expectations. A thorough overview of the General Conditions will also be conducted to acquaint contractors with common public sector contracting terms and conditions. This seminar includes a briefing on the District's Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP), the Field Act and the processes for stop notices, change orders, and subcontractor subsitution. The Principles of SchedulingA seasoned construction scheduler will show contractors the principals of developing a project schedule using Primavera software as required by LAUSD contract specifications. How to Bid on Informal and Formal ContractsCapture new contracting opportunities by learning how to prepare a bid and manage informal (under $76,700) and formal competitive contracts (above $76,700). Acquire up-to-date information on LAUSD's bidding policies to successfully compete and meet contract performance requirements. Get an overview of the contract process, from the pre-bid phase, through the bid and award phase, and project completion. How to Develop a Safety PlanCal OSHA Consultation Service will guide you through the process of developing an Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and Hazard Communication Program to facilitate compliance with the California Occupational Safety and Health Act (Cal/OSHA). Cal OSHA requires all California employers to provide and maintain a safe and healthful workplace for its employees. Access to Capital & Government Tax GuidelinesPublic and private sector financial services professionals will guide contractors through eligibility criteria, loan options, and lending terms for small business loans. Also, learn how to comply with State and Federal Government tax laws regulated by the Employment Development Department (EDD) and the Internal Revenue Service(IRS). LAUSD Contractor PrequalificationLAUSD will guide you through the Contractor Pre-qualification Questionnaire (including Safety Pre-qualification) in a hands-on workshop environment. Safety and Contractor Prequalification is required to bid on informal and formal contracts, respectively. Labor Compliance and Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA)Avoid Labor Code violations that can adversely affect your bottom line. Obtain clear and easy access to compliance tools to ensure that your business adheres to Department of Labor laws and regulations, specifically certified payroll and prevailing wage requirements. This seminar also includes a briefing on the Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA), and the "We Build" Program. 10-Hour Construction Safety and Health Outreach Program TrainingThis training session introduces OSHA policies, procedures, and standards as well as construction safety and health principles. The course will review the scope and application of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and General Duty Clause, as well as examine areas that are most hazardous. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an OSHA construction safety and health 10-hour course completion card. Promissory CommitmentContractors enrolled in the program must attend and actively participate in the eight (8) seminars in order to graduate from the Small Business Boot Camp. Each seminar is approximately three hours in the evening, one seminar per week, and will require homework. There is no enrollment cost to participate, however, there is a significant investment of time that is required of each contractor and contractors must possess a valid contractor's license. EnrollmentPlease complete the Enrollment Application (PDF file) to register for the Small Business Boot Camp. The application deadline is April 7, 2009 and the seminars begin on April 14, 2009. For further information, view the Small Business Boot Camp Fact Sheet(PDF file)
Contractor MoneyWork$Contractor MoneyWork$ is a five-month seminar program that improves the financial literacy and capacity of small businesses to compete in the public sector. Developing and honing practical skills, such as managing cash flow, improving credit worthiness, complying with state and federal tax requirements, optimizing business structure and preparing financial statements better positions small contractors for growth and to qualify for capital and bonding. Learn more about this new program! Building your business is our investmentWhether your small business is new or established, the Contractor MoneyWork$ program can help you maximize its potential through basic business-building financial skills. The five business-building seminars include:
Promissory CommitmentContractors enrolled in the program must attend and actively participate in the five (5) seminars in order to graduate from the Contractor MoneyWorks. Each seminar is approximately two hours in the evening, one seminar per month. There is no cost to enroll in the program, however, there is a significant investment of time that is required of each contractor to attain the greatest benefit from the program. EnrollmentPlease complete the Enrollment Application to register for the Contractor MoneyWorks. Classes begin in Winter 2009. Seminar LocationLocation: TBDFurther Information: Contact: Michael Bejarano Phone: 213-241-4973 Fax: 213-241-6845 E-Mail: michael.bejarano@lausd.net [Top of Page] Plan Viewing SitesThe Small Business Program and business organizations have partnered to provide Plan Viewing Sites for LAUSD construction projects. The cost of purchasing plans & specifications precludes many small businesses from attempting to bid on LAUSD projects, therefore, it is possible for potential bidders to visit these locations to view the plans and specs. Please see flyer for a plan viewing site locations near you. [Top of Page] Links to other resources of interest to Small BusinessesConstruction Contractor Safety PrequalificationThe Los Angeles Unified School District is committed to the safety of its contractors on project job sites. LAUSD
requires its contractors to submit a Safety Prequalification Questionnaire prior to bidding on either formal or informal contracts. The application
overview will guide you through the Safety Prequalification
Questionnaire.The application requests that contractors demonstrate
their past safety performance, including incidence rates and OSHA citations, contractor's safety policy and procedures, and show proof of Workers
Compensation insurance.
Other Contractor Business Resource linksBonding & Financial ServicesBonding and access to working capital are of significant concern to small businesses, specifically in their effort to grow their companies. Please visit the following resource sites for information on these topics.
Technical Assistance Providers and Business OrganizationsThe Small Business Program works in partnership with a cross-section of agencies and business organizations to provide contractors with access to technical assistance and capacity-building resources.
Training Program & Labor ResourceThe "We Build" ProgramIn recognition of the size and complexity of the District's school construction program, the Board of Education entered into a Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) to ensure labor stability and to maximize local economic benefits through a 50% Local Worker participation goal. This ambitious Local Worker participation objective is the guiding principle for the "We Build" Program. The "We Build" Program provides local District residents with an opportunity to enroll in a comprehensive, ten-week pre-apprenticeship training offered at seven LAUSD Division of Adult and Career Education Occupational/Skills Centers and through its partnership with the Century Community Training Program (CCTP) and other community-based training programs. Upon completion "We Build" graduates will be competitively positioned to enroll in Union Apprenticeship Training Programs and placement on LAUSD construction projects. Use this link to learn more about the "We Build" Program. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)The LAUSD supports the State of California's DVBE participation goal of 3%. To be certified as a DVBE, a business must be at least 51% owned by one or more disabled veterans, have its daily operations managed and controlled by one or more disabled veterans, and have its home office located in the United States. The LAUSD will accept the State of California, Department of General Services DVBE certification for participation as an SBE contractor for District construction bids. Please visit http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/default.htm to search for DVBE firms, or to learn how to become certified as a DVBE. [Top of Page] Contact InformationSmall Business Program
For additional information, please contact Veronica Soto, Director of Contractor Relations & Small Business Program, at veronica.soto@lausd.net For questions about Facilities Contract Services fcs@laschools.org |
