Community Groups to Receive $1 Billion Boost From Recovery Act

Act Provides New Resources for Community Services Block Grant

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced plans to make $1 billion available for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the new resources will be allocated to states across the country. States will distribute the new funding to community groups that help Americans through tough economic times.

"Community organizations across the country are helping millions of Americans put food on the table and weather tough economic times," said HHS Spokesperson Jenny Backus. "The Recovery Act will allow these organizations to help more Americans get back on their feet."

Under the Recovery Act, organizations receiving CSBG funding must use the resources to help get our economy back on track. Funds must be used to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and assist low-income families become self-sufficient. Eligible entities use funds to provide services and activities addressing employment, education, housing, nutrition, and emergency services to combat the central causes of poverty.

Services currently provided by community organizations that receive CSBG funds include:

• Job training and placement assistance.
• Financial literacy programs such as credit counseling.
• Housing assistance programs that help keep Americans in their homes.
• Nutrition programs that provide meals for vulnerable families.
• Community agencies that bring public and private resources together to assist families in need.

"With unemployment rates at a 25-year high, American workers need help now more than ever," added Backus. "Community groups will have the resources they need to continue to strengthen cities and towns across America."

The $1 billion in new funds under the Recovery Act is in addition to CSBG's regular annual operating budget of approximately $700 million. To see a state-by-state description of CSBG Recovery Act funding visit http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/acf/csbgmap.html

The activities described in this release are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  To track the progress of HHS activities funded through the ARRA, visit www.hhs.gov/recovery. To track all federal funds provided through the ARRA, visit www.recovery.gov.

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NOTICE INVITING BIDS

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids for furnishing all tools, apparatus, facilities, labor, material, tax, transportation, equipment, and services necessary to perform and complete in strict conformance with the plans, specifications and other contract documents, in a good workmanlike manner, the work for the SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT Swimming Pool Re-plaster and Te-tile Project will be received, in the Purchasing Office, Danner Hall, Lower Level, San Joaquin Delta Community College District, 5151 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA until; 1:00p.m., Friday, May 1, 2009 when bids will be opened, read aloud and tabulated.

Detailed plans and specifications may be viewed and downloaded after Thursday, March 26, 2009 from the Purchasing Department’s Business Opportunities Web Page under the “Construction BidBoard” tab at the following link: Http://www.deltacollege.edu/dept/purchasing/SJDCBusinessoppurtunities.html A free CD with the electronic bid documents may also be obtained from the Purchasing Office, San Joaquin Delta Community College District, 5151 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA. 95207; 209.954.5065.

A mandatory pre-bid conference and inspection tour for prospective bidders will meet in the Purchasing Office of San Joaquin Delta Community College on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 11:30a.m. No bid will be considered unless the bidder has attended the pre-bid conference and inspection tour. A valid parking permit is required. A daily parking permit may be purchased at the parking lot for fifty cents ($.50). Any parking related questions should be directed to Campus Police at 209-954-5000.

Technical and general bid process questions must be submitted, in writing to Maria Bernardino, Director of Purchasing via e-mail at mbernardino@deltacollege.edu before the end of business day (5:00p.m.) on Monday, April 20, 2009.

Bid bond in the amount of 10% of the amount of the bid is required. Payment and Performance bonds will be required from the successful bidder. Bidders are hereby notified that, pursuant to Section 1770 and 1773 et seq. of the Labor Code of the State of California, that Prime Contractors and Subcontractors will be required submit certified payroll reports to the District. Additional reference material and current rate information can be obtained through the Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR’s) web page at the following address: http://www.dir.ca.gov

The Board of Trustees may reject the bid of any bidder who fails to provide the number, expiration date and classification of the bidder’s state contractor’s license, or fails to endorse the non-collusion affidavit required by Public Contract Code Section 7106.

It has been determined that the successful bidder must possess the following classification(s) to be awarded the contract for this project: C-53, Swimming Pool Contractor.

The Board of Trustees shall award the Contract, if any, to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. They also reserve the right to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bid proposals and to reject any or all bids.

Dated: March 26, 2009

SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT