The United States Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (Orlando Office) has funding to provide services for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) pursuing federally funded infrastructure projects. The Center has five goals including the certification assistance, capability statement assistance, technical assistance outreach, joint venture / teaming agreement preparation and contract sourcing.
In alignment with President Biden Administration’s priority of equity in Federal procurement executive orders, directives, and initiatives, the overarching objective of this supplemental funding is to enable Center to swiftly and effectively support MBEs to capitalize on historic procurement opportunities stemming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and other large federal investments. The available supplemental funding is intended to focus and amplify the Centers’ existing work under their current awards related to procurement contracts. Specifically, the Centers will provide technical assistance to MBEs with a particular emphasis on preparing for and obtaining contracting opportunities funded by IIJA, a goal that will support the Administration’s target of increasing the share of contracts going to small and disadvantaged businesses by 50% by 2025.
FLORIDA_Infrastructure-Investment-and-Jobs-Act-State-Fact-Sheet.pdf (whitehouse.gov)
Mr. Hawkins has been involved in heavy highway construction, airport construction, underground utility, and commercial construction for over 40 years. He has been in the roles of Construction Project Manager and Construction Project Administrator for various engineering and construction firms and has worked throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Hawkins has also been in the role of Senior Consultant, involved with the Florida Department of Transportation’s DBE Supportive Services, primarily working in developing relationships between major prime contractors and DBE, small business subcontractors, especially regarding design-build projects.
Mr. Hawkins brings to the Orlando MBDA Business Center and its clients, extensive knowledge regarding contracts, joint venture agreements, vendor purchase/supplier agreements and an understanding of regulations regarding DBE and MBE designations. This enables Mr. Hawkins to work alongside DBE and MWBE contractors and vendors in the effort to secure Federal, State and Municipal related infrastructure projects, either as a prime or a subcontractor.