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Leveraging Public Sector Projects for Small & Mid-Sized Firms

AIAU24-PAKC01R
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1.0 LU
Course expires on: 11/14/2027
$30
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Description

The public sector is experiencing a surge in project demand—driven by new federal, state, and local funding sources and increased fee limits for Department of Defense (DoD) projects—presenting small and mid-sized architecture and design firms an unprecedented opportunity to expand their practice and influence. Traditionally, these lucrative public projects have been dominated by large firms, but the landscape is shifting—allowing smaller firms to compete and succeed.

This comprehensive course is designed to equip architecture and design professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to identify, pursue, and secure public sector projects. Through a discussion of key case studies, you’ll learn how to navigate the complexities of public procurement processes, use your skills and experience, and strategically position your firm to win public contracts. You’ll develop the skills to leverage emerging public sector opportunities to diversify your project portfolio and grow your small business. 

Learning Objectives

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Learn how government agencies work with architects on small and large public sector projects.

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Discover how firms can leverage their experience in sustainability and resilient design to qualify for public contracts.

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Learn how to develop a successful public agency proposal that attests to your creativity and skills and applies to all levels of public work.

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Understand what qualifications-based selection means and explore strategies for breaking into public work.

Presented in partnership with the Public Architects Committee (PAKC).

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Instructors
Illya   Azaroff
FAIA

Illya Azaroff, FAIA is the founding principal of +LAB architect whose mission is to build resilient capacity and advance goals for a sustainable, regenerative future while giving underserved communities greater voice and visibility. He is an internationally recognized leader in disaster mitigation, resilient planning, and design strategies. An Associate professor at New York City of Technology (CUNY). He serves as a technical expert for the New York Climate Impact Assessment appointed by Governor Hochul.  As AIA New York state disaster coordinator, he founded the AIA Unified Task Force City and State addressing impacts of COVID19.  Illya is advising HUD, the federal government, as part of the Resilient Housing Task force. While with ICC/ANCR- the Alliance for National Community Resilience helped create community resilience benchmarking system. He is a founding director of KIGRR - Kalinago Institute for Global Resilience and Regeneration on the island of Dominica. His office is advancing culturally significant community resilience hubs and regenerative cluster housing in several communities across the world. He served as the 2021 AIA New York State president and founding co-chair DfRR Design for Risk and Reconstruction at AIA New York (2011-21). Prior to coming to New York, he worked in Germany, Italy and Holland. He has worked in the field for over 25 years.

Mahbuba Khan
AIA

Mahbuba Khan  is a former Lead Architect at US Army Corps and Capitol Project Manager at City of Dallas, TX. She is the founding president of MnKhan Architects, an MWBE firm focused in public projects in community, institutional and Federal level.

She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from a sister school of Texas A&M from Bangladesh and Masters in Public Administration from University of North Texas. Her 25 years experience includes work at international firms, own practice, City of Dallas Bond, Federal healthcare and mission critical programs along with serving various AIA board positions. 

Paula Loomis
PhD, FAIA, FSAME, LEED BD&C, PMP, AICP, CPHC, GGP
With 38 years of master planning, architectural design, construction management, and facility operations worldwide, Dr Loomis has experience with the largest federal facility agencies including the Department of Defense (U.S. Air Force, Army Corps of Engineers, and Navy), Department of Homeland Security (Coast Guard (CG)), and General Services Administration. Prior to retiring from civil service, Dr Loomis was the Executive Director for the CG’s Shore Infrastructure Logistic Center where she was responsible for the planning, programming, design, construction, and operation of 28,000 buildings and structures at over 2,000 sites nationwide.
Etty Padmodipoetro
AIA, NOMA, Loeb Fellow

Ms. Padmodipoetro is the founder and principal of Urban Idea Lab, where she concentrates on inclusive and equitable design; her accessibility work addresses physical, visual, and cognitive mobility limitations. She believes in a strong collaboration with surrounding communities and stakeholders to bring social equity through design.

Her office specializes in infrastructure and community development projects. She finds it critical to balance large-scale infrastructure projects with their surrounding neighborhoods. She is currently working on master plans, transit-oriented developments, transit systems, highways, pedestrian and bicycle bridges, and integrated public arts. 

She also works closely with architects and academics in Indonesia on infrastructure projects. She served on the 2023 AIA National Board, 2022 Chair of AIA Housing Awards, and the 2020 Chair of AIA Housing Community Development Knowledge Community. She is currently a member of AIA Board Knowledge Committee.

 

Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham
AIA

Ludmilla Pavlova is an architect, planner and project manager with over 30 years of professional experience, over two decades of which was dedicated to the University of Massachusetts community. She has contributed to and managed a wide spectrum of complex, multi-million-dollar projects, including master plans, carbon mitigation plans, historic preservation and building feasibility studies, as well as the design and construction management of corporate, municipal, and academic facilities for science, the humanities and student life.

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