BN Daily E-Journal

BuildersNotebook has partnered with PlanSwift Takeoff & Estimating Software.

Santa Barbara, CA, July 13, 2010, — BuildersNotebook announced today an exciting new partnership with PlanSwift. PlanSwift and BuildersNotebook have come together to offer the construction industry a better solution in finding work, construction document viewing, performing takeoffs and estimating. This new product combines PlanSwift’s amazing takeoff capability with the power of Builders Notebook online Planroom and document distribution service. PlanSwift is now being offered through BuildersNotebook.

Sean Bernat, Partner Recruitment Manager at PlanSwift said, “PlanSwift is pleased to announce this new alliance, which comes at the request of many customers which will help to streamline the bidding process. We’re extremely excited about all the possibilities of this partnership”. “BuildersNotebook has been a leader in helping construction professionals find work and now BuildersNotebook will have even more to offer to their members”.

PlanSwift is an industry leader in construction software. The PlanSwift program allows builders to do material takeoffs right on their computer screens using digital plans. PlanSwift is eliminating the need for digitizer boards and paper plans. PlanSwift’s easy to use, drag-and-drop interface will save the estimator valuable time and their accuracy will be improved. PlanSwift’s estimating software coupled with BuildersNotebook project tracking and document distribution systems will create a one stop shop for the areas construction professionals.

As the construction industry fights to regain its lost footing from the economic downturn, builders need every opportunity to drive efficiency into the business. The combination of PlanSwift and BuildersNotebook products creates a powerful offering that provides builders with an easy to use, cost effective and streamlined process to find work and get that work accomplished.
Sean Bernat, Partner Recruitment Manager at PlanSwift said, “The construction industry is changing. The recession is leading builders into the digital age. Companies are looking for ways to become more efficient; PlanSwift and BuildersNotebook address that need.”
For more information, please visit www.planswift.com or call PlanSwift at 1-888-752-6794 ext 4.

About PlanSwift
PlanSwift, a subsidiary of Tech Unlimited, Inc., is a leading provider of takeoff and estimating software to industry professionals. The PlanSwift Company has developed software to enhance the construction industry’s daily takeoff and estimating needs. More than 5,000 industry professionals, in over ten countries, use PlanSwift to help them complete more precise and accurate bids everyday. For more information about PlanSwift, please visit the company’s website at www.planswift.com
If you would like more information about the company or to discuss a partnership opportunity, please call Sean Bernat at (888) 752-6794 ext. 738. Email: marketing@planswift.com

Get your pen and pad of paper ready, 1099 paper that is. As part of the newly enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law March 23, 2010, by President Obama, businesses will be required to report payments over $600 per year of goods or services made to anyone, including corporations, except entities exempt under 501 (a) charitys and non-profits. Read more here.
This will also effect you if you receive payments through credit card terminal. The credit card processing companies will be sending a new 1099 called 1099-k which will report your income received. Read more about this proposed law here.
You should start getting 1099 information as soon as possible to help aleviate being over paperworked by emailing or sending the form W-9 to all of your vendors. You can get form W-9 here.

We are currently researching the best tools for our users to manage on screen take offs from a PDF document. Here is what we have found so far that is the absolute best value (this is not an ad and they have not paid us or given us any incentives) BLUEBEAM.

The cost to purchase is $149. We would like to know what you guys think. Try this product (it has a 30 day free trial) and give us your feedback. Is it easy to use? and are you able to do on screen take offs without printing the plans? Send your feedback by phone 877-776-5436, fax 805-262-6338 or by email planroom@buildersnotebook.com.

Learn from the best!  A must for owners, estimators, project managers and office administrators! Critical updates, Prevailing Wage Hot Topics, Compliance 101 and ideas that can give you a real advantage!  **Seating is limited, so reserve you spot ASAP. 

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010

Time: 7:30am – Registration and 8am – 12pm 

Location:

Fess Parker’s DoubleTree

633 East Cabrillo Blvd.

Santa Barbara, CA 93103

(805) 564-4333

Cost:

$100 per person 

Register online at: https://www.123signup.com/register?id=mzybs

Rare M1 Zoned offices and warehouse space ranging from $1000 per month to $3500 per month conveniently located in downtown Santa Barbara just blocks from the Beach at an unbeatable area cost of $1 a square foot range, also a Work/Live space penthouse with panoramic views at $1700 per month! Contact (805) 962-1200 for more information.

As of January 1, 2010, the new California Energy Code will become effective.  It will be known as the 2008 California Energy Code and can be found at the State’s Energy Commission website at http://www.energy.ca.gov/index.html

The link to the new codes is hard to find so here is the address that will take you directly to that page http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2008standards/

The new codes are only available in digitized format at this time, so you will need to download them.  Also available are the Residential and Non-Residential Manuals that you will need.

Since these new regulations will catch up, and in some cases may even exceed our current local energy requirements, please note that our current Santa Barbara Energy Ordinance will sunset (as planned) and not be in effect after January 1, 2010.

If you want to see what has changed, you can download the “marked version” of the standards and that will show what has been deleted, added, or changed.

There are several other files on the “../2008standards” page that you should look at to help incorporate these changes in your submittals. 

Technical questions are best directed to the State Energy Board staff as listed online, however, you may contact Chris Hansen at chansen@santabarbaraca.gov or by phone at (805) 564-5485 if you have general questions in regards to these or other codes. -This information has been reposted as a public service announcement.

The Department of General Services, Procurement Division, is sponsoring a collaboration with the Sacramento Public Agency Consortium (SAC PAC) which includes: City of Sacramento, Sacramento Redevelopment and Housing Agency, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento Regional Transit, U. S. Small Business Administration, Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Federal Technology Center, Sacramento Business Information Centers, Small Business Development Center, Counselors to America’s Small Business – SCORE, Sacramento County Contract & Purchasing Services

It is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the McClellan Business Park, Garden Pavilion, 5640 Dudley Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95652.
At this event, you can customize your morning — you can spend your time in the way that adds the most value to your business by participating in two different venues:
· Exposition – You can meet with buyers and representatives from over 30 State and local government agencies, as well as large businesses seeking to partner with qualified small businesses and DVBEs. In addition to forming valuable new relationships, you’ll have opportunities to build your knowledge about contracting with government and where to find opportunities.
· Panels and Workshops – Learn how to do business with State and local governments. You will learn how State and local government contracting works and find out information concerning Bonding, Social networking, Stimulus Money, where the bid opportunities are, and how to successfully market your business. (Seating will be limited. First come, first serve)
To register, please go to: http://www.applications.dgs.ca.gov/pd/cssibid/RegisterIntro.asp?EventID=231

Ifyou have questions, please contact:

Michael Aguillio at Michael.Aguillio@dgs.ca.gov or 916-375-4328

PUBLIC NOTICE:

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) is conducting a study of its contracting in Southern California. This disparity study includes experiences of business owners and whether or not there is evidence of discrimination based on race, gender or ethnicity in the transportation contracting industry.

Metrolink will review this information as it considers future implementation of the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program on Federal Transit Administration-funded contracts. Metrolink is conducting this study as a result of recent court decisions and guidance from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

As part of a regional approach, four additional Southern California agencies also participated in the Study: the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).

You and others at your organization have the opportunity to review a draft of the disparity study report for each agency and provide additional information as part of the study process.

Draft Disparity Study Reports

Drafts of the disparity studies for the participating agencies will be available on agency websites by September 25, 2009. The Metrolink disparity study can be found at www.metrolinktrains.com/disparitystudy.

Give Us Your Input
Two Southern California Regional Disparity Study Public Forums are scheduled as follows:

· Tuesday, October 20, 2009 from 3:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles: Metro Headquarters, Board Room on 3rd floor, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 ($6 fee for parking)

· Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 3:00 – 7:30 p.m.
San Diego: SANDAG, Board Room on 7th floor, 401 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101-4231

Vendors, contractors, industry representatives and others are invited to attend a Public Forum to share personal experiences and other information relevant to Metrolink future implementation of the Federal DBE Program. This may include whether or not there is evidence of discrimination affecting the transportation contracting industry; starting and expanding businesses; obtaining financing, insurance and bonding; obtaining work with the above agencies and other local establishments; subcontracting opportunities; and the need for any assistance programs. Testimony will become part of the public record for the disparity study.

Participants in the Public Forums will have the opportunity to testify in person and/or give written testimony. Written testimony and related information will be received electronically via e-mail at DSComment@scrra.net and by U.S. mail to: Metrolink Contracts Administration Dept., Attn: DS Public Comment, 700 S. Flower St. STE 2600, Los Angeles, CA 90017. The deadline for submitting written testimony is 5 p.m. on November 10, 2009.

DS Comment – Metrolink
Disparity Study Draft Report
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

CalTrans District 8, in partnership with the Department of General Services (DGS), California State University, San Bernardino and the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, will host the Inland Empire Contracting Connections and Procurement Outreach.

You will have a chance to meet with the State government purchasing, contracting and procurement officers of District 8, who obtain bids for services and commodities essential to their operations.

Furthermore, you will be able to receive information on how to get your company certified as a Small Business or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise by DGS.

When: October 21, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Santos Manuel Student Union Building
California State University, San Bernardino
Cost: Free Registration, Parking $5

Registration Link:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist8/procurement/regform_new.htm