NASBP members continue to devote time and energy participating in bonding education programs throughout the country.

DOT BEPs in Various U.S. Cities

NASBP members have participated recently in the bonding education programs organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation Bonding Education Program (BEP) held in several cities including Little Rock, AR, Seattle, WA (pictured below), and Fresno, CA. DOT BEP Stakeholder Meetings and Workshops are being considered this summer in the following cities: Norfolk, VA,  Boise, ID, Billings, MT, Gulfport/Biloxi Region, MS, and Savannah, GA. The DOT BEP, which is sponsored by the U.S. DOT and Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), began in 2010 and has had more than 509 participants who have completed the Program resulting in nearly $140 million in bonds issued on transportation projects. Producers interested in reaching out and assisting small and emerging contractors in their region to secure surety credit, should consider participating the DOT BEP’s being scheduled throughout the U.S. Click here for more information.

Stuart O’Farrell of Parker Smith Feek presents at the Seattle, Washington DOT BEP held earlier this year.

Stuart O’Farrell discusses contract surety bonds and the current market with Seattle, Washington DOT BEP attendees.

Baltimore Area

This spring, NASBP Member Construction Bonds, Inc.–A Division of Murray Securus presented at the Local Contractor Development Program (LCDP), which was administered by the City of Baltimore Small Business Resource Center (SBRC). Presenters included Josh Etemadi and Edin Zukanovic both of Construction Bonds, Inc.–A Division of Murray Securus, Etemadi, Chair of the NASBP Small and Emerging Business Committee, and Zukanovic made presentations on construction-related topics that help MBE/WBE contractors to develop and build capacity and be in a better position to compete and to grow their companies.

NASBP Small & Emerging Business Committee Chair Josh Etemadi and NASBP Member Edin Zukanovic present at the Prince George’s County Contractor’s College in Maryland.

Prince George’s County Contractor’s College attendees listen to NASBP Member presentations on how to obtain surety credit.

Oklahoma

Recently, NASBP member Michael Williams, President/Chief Executive Officer of CCI Surety, Inc., was among several presenters who addressed the new mentor-protégé agreements in federal contracting resulting from the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2013 at the Mid America Government Industry Coalition (MAGIC) 3-day workshop held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Williams, whose company is one of the largest writers in the SBA’s Bond Guarantee Program and who also has an extensive professional background in providing bonds to Oklahoma Native American tribes, addressed bonding issues for small contractors at this Town Hall meeting in Oklahoma City where 70 companies and federal agencies were in attendance. The companies came from 16 different states. Two days were spent measuring and testing capabilities statements. MAGIC is vetting those companies who are potential proteges and looking to match them up with mentors. A follow up meeting on mentor-protege agreements will be August 7 and 8.