Water Insecurity: USIBWC Awards Contract To Kick Off San Diego-Tijuana Water Infrastructure Projects. $4,659,432.00 contract to Arcadis, U.S., Inc.

USIBWC Awards Contract To Kick Off San Diego-Tijuana Water Infrastructure Projects

International Boundary and Water Commission

United States and Mexico

United States Section

 

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION IX 

San Francisco, CA

 

USIBWC Awards Contract To Kick Off San Diego-Tijuana Water Infrastructure Projects

United States Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico (IBWC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Martha Guzman today announced the U.S. Section of the Commission (USIBWC) has awarded a $4,659,432.00 contract to Arcadis, U.S., Inc. to start work on border water infrastructure improvements at San Diego, California – Tijuana, Baja California. This marks important progress toward implementing a recently signed binational IBWC agreement known as Minute No. 328, “Sanitation Infrastructure Projects in San Diego, California – Tijuana, Baja California for Immediate Implementation and for Future Development,”  

The contract will lay the groundwork to double the size of the USIBWC’s South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in San Diego, California, which currently provides treatment to U.S. standards for 25 million gallons per day of wastewater from Tijuana. Under Minute 328, this plant expansion is part of a package of projects in both countries expected to result in a 50% reduction in the number of days of transborder wastewater flow in the Tijuana River and an 80% reduction in the volume of untreated wastewater discharged to the Pacific Ocean six miles south of the border.

“This is an important first step to fix the region’s border sanitation problem,” said Commissioner Giner.  “This work will prepare us to use available funds efficiently and to move quickly to the next phase – design and construction of the expanded treatment plant. I am committed to transparency in how we implement this project and to keep our stakeholders informed.”

“This contract represents a critical step towards controlling the transborder pollution that has long burdened communities in the region and harmed Tijuana River Valley ecosystems” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “The effort to expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which this contract supports, will mean residents on both sides of the border will have a healthier, cleaner environment for years to come.”

Under the contract, Arcadis will:

• Determine required upgrades and repairs to the existing plant
• Provide professional recommendation on the maximum size of the plant expansion with available funding
• Review and recommend the best procurement method for design and construction of the plant and any required upgrades to the existing plant
• Prepare design and construction cost estimates
• Prepare a detailed project scope of work for the plant expansion

This Phase 1 pre-design work will enable USIBWC to solicit bids for design of the SBIWTP expansion by summer 2023. The contractor may also provide Program Management and deliverable reviews as part of the Design and Construction phases.  

The SBIWTP expansion is a major element of the Minute 328 projects, which also include constructing a new treatment plant in Mexico and rehabilitating and replacing aging sewer lines and pump stations in Tijuana.

World Bank Partnership. Global Diversity Export Initiative. Justice40 Initiative extends on all U.S. investments. Now you get it!

World Bank 101 For Minority and Women-owned Companies

 

Four Sessions - October 4-27, 2022  |  Virtual Join the U.S. Commercial Service in October to learn about our partnership with the World Bank and how you can navigate the many opportunities to work on World Bank-funded projects overseas. Part of the Global Diversity Export Initiative, this event is ideal for minority and women-owned businesses interested in learning more about World Bank-funded projects.  Who will benefit from joining these events?  U.S. businesses seeking international expansion in the environment and clean technologies, renewable energy, waste management and sanitation, water, transportation, infrastructure, design and construction, financial services, digital services and smart platforms, agriculture, education, and health industries.  October 4: Understanding the World Bank and Tools for Success 12:00pm – 1:30pm EST Cost: $25 Get a crash course on the World Bank Group, how it works, and models for how U.S. companies can use it to work in low- and middle-income markets. Also learn about the U.S. Department of Commerce’s new World Bank Minority Business Outreach Initiative & how to access U.S. Government tools for success in developing markets. Register October 6: Procurement Opportunities for Public Sector Projects and Programs – Becoming a Vendor, Consulting Contracts and Working with Primes 12:00pm – 1:30pm EST Cost: $25 Learn about accessing and bidding on World Bank-funded projects, steps to register for consulting opportunities and alternative models for partnering on Bank projects including supply chain opportunities through prime awardees. Speakers include Senior World Bank Procurement officials and there will be time for Q&A. Register October 25: Resources for Development Project Finance and Investment - Introducing the Investment Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency 12:00pm – 1:30pm EST Cost: $25 Learn about the World Bank’s private sector financial products that enable companies to manage risk and expand their access to foreign and domestic capital markets. This includes trade and supply chain finance, investment guarantees, political risk insurance and blended finance and syndications for public-private partnerships. Opportunities to bid on consulting on financial and business advisory services will also be discussed. Register October 27: Corporate Procurement – Becoming a Supplier to the World Bank  12:00pm – 1:30pm EST Cost: $25 Hear from the World Bank Group's Corporate Procurement Unit which is responsible for the coordination and oversight of the sourcing strategy, selection, and contract execution for goods, services, construction, and consulting services for the World Bank’s own over 150 offices around the world. There will also be a speaker from the World Bank’s own IT Vendor Management unit. Register

 

Know someone that could apply? 2023 Obama Foundation Leaders program.

 

Do you know an emerging leader in Africa, Asia-Pacific, or Europe who has spent the last few years creating positive change on an issue they’re passionate about?

Do they stand out for their integrity, strong values, and ethics? Do they go about their work in a collaborative way?

Are they eager to learn from others? Open-minded and curious? Willing to share their experiences? 

If so, I hope you’ll encourage them to apply to our 2023 Obama Foundation Leaders program!

The Obama Foundation Leaders program is a six-month, non-residential leadership development and community engagement program that brings together 35 Leaders from their respective regions for weekly sessions including:

• Developing practical tools and training for deepening values-based leadership,
• Individualized or peer leadership coaching,
• Cultural programming that showcases the richness of diversity in the region, and
• Creative spaces for deep personal reflection and interpersonal learning with peers. 

Funding Opportunities: DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia). Let us know if you have any in your community (LA, Chicago, Boston, ect..)

Funding Opportunities: Private Amazon's Black Business Accelerator AT&T Black Future Maker – Apply by 12/31/22 Black Founder Startup Grant - Rolling deadline Dear God Are We There Yet? - Apply by 12/30/22 Facebook Invoice Fast Track Fearless Strivers – Apply by 12/31/22 Merchants Maverick National Association for the Self-Employed  District of Columbia Employer Partnership Training Grant (DCWORKS) – Rolling deadline Commercial Property Acquisition Fund  – Rolling deadline D.C. Rebuild Bond Program D.C. Vitality Fund Nourish D.C. Collaborative Maryland Community Partnership Grants Emergency Rental Assistance Program Virginia Dominion Energy Small Business Relief

More Funding Opportunites

Please continue to share your suggestions at info@wacif.org.

Wacif is grateful for its 2022 funding partners, supporting us in driving equitable economic development and community wealth building in the Greater Washington D.C. region:   CareFirst Prince George's County Community Partnership Grant Prince George's County Local Development Council Arlington County Community Development Fund Urban Institute Measure for Change Surdna Foundation 1988 Irrevocable Cochrane Memorial Trust TD Bank Opportunity Finance Network National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)