The Florida Department of Transportation through its Florida Rail Enterprise announced today it will hold a series of public information meetings on the Tampa-Orlando high speed rail project August 31 – September 2 in Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando. The schedule is:

Tampa Convention Center: Tuesday, August 31, 2:30 p.m.

The Lakeland Center – Lake Hunter Room: Wednesday, September 1, 2:30 p.m.

Orange County Convention Center: Thursday, September 2, 2:30 p.m.

Registration for each event will open at 1:30 p.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Florida Rail Enterprise (FRE) plans to divide the High Speed Rail project procurement into two projects; an Early Works Safety project and a design, build, operate, maintain and finance project.  Minority and small firms with expertise in general civil work, drainage design and construction, highway and railroad design and construction, commercial design and construction, signalization system design and construction, security system design and implementation and various aspects of railroad and transit operations are encouraged to attend these meetings.  FRE further expects a range of professional services may be sought by vendor teams including legal, accounting, public relations, marketing, security, janitorial and other services related to or incidental to operation of a high speed rail system.

Detailed information agendas for each session will be posted at www.floridahighspeedrail.org.  You can also email Ed Turanchik at eturanchik@wilbursmith.com for program information.

These public information sessions are designed for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Minority/Women Business Enterprises and other minority-owned businesses and small businesses. Rail Enterprise officials will describe the Tampa-Orlando HSR project including the procurement process, subcontracting opportunities and how firms can be certified and participate as a DBE.

The public information meetings are free, open to the public and require no advance registration.  All participants will need to register at the door. There will be a question and answer session at the end of each presentation. Detailed information and agendas for each of the sessions will be posted at www.floridahighspeedrail.org.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Dana Newsome at 407-547-2993 or by e-mail at dnewsome@hntb.com prior to the meeting.

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