Secretary Haymore Unveils Southern Virginia Wine Region Road Signs

~ Sign Program Promotes Virginia’s Burgeoning Wine Industry, Diverse Wine Regions and American Viticultural Areas ~

Program reflects partnerships involving Agriculture, Transportation and Tourism

CHATHAM –  Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore unveiled the Southern Virginia Wine Region road signs, part of a continuing Virginia wine region sign program aimed at attracting more visitors to Virginia wineries.  The unveiling was the first event of Governor Terry McAuliffe’s two-day cabinet visit to Southern Virginia.  The signs announce to travelers on selected primary and secondary roads that they have entered a particular Virginia American Viticultural Area (AVA) or wine region.  Now in its second phase, the program has located almost 40 signs in thirteen Virginia AVAs and wine regions.

            The Southern Virginia Wine Region sign was unveiled at The Homeplace Vineyard in Chatham.  Incorporated in 2004, The Homeplace Vineyard is owned and operated by the Williams Family.  Held in the same family over the last 4 generations, The Homplace was traditionally a leaf tobacco farm, planting its first grapes in 2005.  The family now cultivates 5,600 vines on almost 10 acres, raising Traminette, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin and Viognier, the official wine grape of the Commonwealth.    

Running across the middle of the Virginia’s border with North Carolina, this mostly rural and rolling landscape of farms and woodland takes visitors into the south-side Virginia version of small-town America. Southern Virginia has a warm to temperate climate with good soil for winemaking in selected areas where the topography is ideal.  Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Grigio and Vidal Blanc are the most produced grape varietals in this region of the Commonwealth.

The wine region sign program was funded by a grant from the federal Transportation Enhancement Program and matching funds from the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB).  The Office of the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry worked closely with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to design the signs and select locations that fit within the rules of the program and were best situated to promote the wine regions.  The Virginia Wine Board will assist with any maintenance should a sign be damaged or destroyed. 

“I want to thank Governor McAuliffe, Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne, CTB, VDOT, and the Virginia Wine Board for their assistance in making these wine region signs a reality,” said Secretary Haymore.  “The continued growth of Virginia’s wine industry, one of the fastest growing sectors of Virginia agriculture, is a priority for Governor McAuliffe and cross secretariat cooperation is key to the Governor’s overall economic development and jobs creation agenda.  This partnership, along with our on-going work with the Virginia Tourism Corporation, will help spur more growth and opportunities at wineries and their suppliers in rural areas throughout Virginia.”

“The Transportation Secretariat partners with the Secretariat of Agriculture and Forestry on everything from road signage, to weight restrictions, to the safe use of farm vehicles on Virginia roads,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne. “Our secondary roads are vital to those who work the land. Continuing to maintain the positive partnership between our two secretariats is a huge benefit to the farmer as well as the consumer.”

Raising the profile of Virginia wines and wine tourism, along with the production of top quality wines, are key components in the recent strong growth of the Virginia wine industry.  Continuing to promote Virginia wines at the Virginia Executive Mansion and throughout Virginia, on other domestic business recruitment visits, and on upcoming international trade and marketing missions, Governor McAuliffe is making the continued growth and success of the Virginia wine industry a priority in his administration. 

Virginia is home to more than 250 wineries and is fifth in the nation for wine grape production.  A 2012 economic impact study shows that Virginia's wine industry contributes almost three-quarters of a billion dollars - or $747 million - annually to Virginia's economy.  Virginia wineries and vineyards support 4,800 jobs that provide $156 million total in wages. 

Wine travel in Virginia has gained many recent accolades, including being named one of the ten best wine travel destinations in the world for 2012 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  In 2010, approximately 1.6 million people visited Virginia wineries.  Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia.  In 2010, tourism generated $19 billion in revenue, supported 204,000 jobs and provided $1.2 billion in state and local taxes.

Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order Expanding Opportunities for Small, Women-Owned, and Minority-Owned Businesses

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor McAuliffe visited Astyra Corporation in Richmond to sign Executive Order 20: Advancing Equity for Small, Women, and Minority Owned Businesses. The executive order is designed to expand contracting opportunities to small, women-owned and minority-owned (SWaM) businesses in the Commonwealth and set a higher bar for SWaM contracting in Virginia state government.

The full text of the executive order is below:

ADVANCING EQUITY FOR SMALL, WOMEN, AND

MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES

Executive Order Number  20 (2014)

Importance of the Issue

            It is imperative for the Commonwealth of Virginia to maximize the participation of small businesses in state contractual work. For Virginia to remain competitive and continue to advance its small business goals, significant work still must be done for a more transparent, equitable, and inclusive process. Therefore, I am establishing a micro business designation within the small business certification and vital new state procurement initiatives.

            For purposes of this Executive Order: 1) “executive branch agency” shall include all entities in the executive branch, including agencies, authorities, commissions, departments, and all institutions of higher education; 2) “small businesses” shall include, but not be limited to, small, women-owned or minority-owned businesses; and, 3) “micro businesses” shall be defined as those certified small businesses that have no more than twenty-five (25) employees and no more than $3 million in average annual revenue over the three-year period prior to their certification.

            I am directing the following executive branch agencies that have statutory authority for procurement, in conjunction with the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (DSBSD) as provided in Code of Virginia § 2.2-1605(A)(6), to implement the requirements herein within their respective areas of procurement authority: Department of General Services (DGS), Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), those institutions of higher education that have autonomy in procurement granted under the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act (Code of Virginia § 23-38.88, et seq.), and other executive branch agencies that have statutory authority for procurement. 

Initiatives

            With a continuing rational basis for small business enhancement, and pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, the Code of Virginia, including Code of Virginia § 2.2-4310(C), and applicable Memoranda of Understanding and Management Agreements entered into pursuant to Code of Virginia § 23-38.88, et seq., I hereby direct my Cabinet Secretaries and all executive branch agencies to continue and advance the following on a race-neutral and gender-neutral basis:

1.       Exceed a target goal of 42%, which is the highest percentage of expenditures spent since FY 2004 for executive branch agencies with small businesses certified by DSBSD. This percentage applies to discretionary spending in categories from which the Commonwealth derives procurement orders, prime contracts, and subcontracts. DSBSD, in consultation with executive branch entities and institutions with procurement responsibilities, shall advance race-neutral and gender-neutral goals via annual agency Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned (SWaM) procurement plans. Each executive branch agency shall review and update its benchmarks, policies, and procedures to conform with this Executive Order and the implementing regulations adopted pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-1605(A)(6) and thereby ensure that a greater percentage of purchases is made from certified small businesses, in goods and services categories from which the Commonwealth makes its purchases.

2.       Create the micro business designation, which shall include those certified small businesses that have no more than twenty-five (25) employees and no more than $3 million in average annual revenue over the three-year period prior to their certification. DSBSD shall develop a best practices method for identifying those small businesses that are eligible for the micro business designation. DSBSD shall also evaluate and offer recommendations for the implementation of the micro business designation by October 1, 2014.

3.       Expand the set-aside for competition among all certified small businesses to include purchases up to $100,000 for goods and nonprofessional services and up to $50,000 for professional services when the price quoted is fair and reasonable. In the procurement selection process for these set-asides, at least one of the proposals/bids shall be obtained from a micro business unless upon due diligence no micro business in a particular category exists or was willing to submit a proposal/bid. Purchases under $10,000, however, shall be set aside for micro businesses when the price quoted is fair and reasonable. Executive branch agencies that have statutory authority for procurement shall include these set-asides in their purchasing regulations, policies, and processes by no later than September 1, 2014. Current contracts will continue in accordance with their terms. The DSBSD will prepare a progress report describing executive branch agencies’ compliance with this requirement and deliver its report to the Governor’s Chief of Staff no later than October 1, 2014.

4.       Provide support to DSBSD in developing a uniform, statewide method for evaluating and monitoring small business (SWaM) procurement plans. Executive branch agencies shall require each prime contractor to include in its proposal(s)/bid(s) a SWaM procurement plan.

Before final payment is made, the purchasing agency shall confirm that the contractor has certified compliance with the contract’s SWaM procurement plan. If there are any variances between the contractor’s required SWaM procurement plan and the actual participation, the contractor shall provide a written explanation. The written explanation shall be kept with the contract file and made available upon request.

Contracts and renewals may include a provision allowing final payment to be withheld until the contractor is in compliance with its SWaM procurement plan. Prior to entering into a new contract or renewing a contract with a contractor, an agency shall review a contractor’s record of compliance with SWaM procurement plan requirements. A contractor’s failure to satisfactorily meet designated SWaM procurement plan requirements shall be considered in the prospective award or renewal of any future contracts with the contractor.

5.       Implement processes for producing SWaM subcontracting data as established by DSBSD in consultation with DGS and VITA. This subcontracting data must also include information on non-SWaM subcontractors performing on contracts over $200,000.

            These initiatives will spur creativity, promote economic justice and development, and encourage procurement participation by small businesses. In support of the initiatives set out above, I further direct the following actions to be taken by Cabinet Secretaries and executive branch agencies:

1.       DSBSD, in conjunction with DGS, VITA, VDOT, and higher education institutions with procurement autonomy, shall implement initiatives to enhance the development of small businesses in Virginia. Such initiatives shall include, but not be limited to:

·          Information on access to capital, including contract financing and bonding support and other opportunities for economic development;

·          Management and technical assistance programs;

·          Partnerships and outreach with local business groups, chambers of commerce, and other organizations to develop a diverse vendor base; and,

·          Statewide mentor/protégé and/or joint venture programs.

2.       DSBSD, with assistance from DGS, shall conduct a vendor outreach training program for each congressional district in the Commonwealth. Training shall include instructions on how to obtain certification, register with and research through the Commonwealth’s e-procurement system (eVA), respond to business opportunities with the Commonwealth, encourage SWaM participation, and overcome identified barriers.

3.       Executive branch agencies shall review the efficacy of implementing other small business enhancement tools and processes, such as:

·          Unbundling contracts;

·          Relaxing the requirement for mandatory attendance at pre-bid meetings;

·          Expanding time to respond to small purchase solicitations;

·          Alerting businesses to current and future procurement as well as subcontracting opportunities; and,

·          Streamlining the paperwork required of small businesses.

4.       The purchasing manuals, regulations and guidelines of all executive branch entities and institutions shall include updated SWaM purchasing regulations and/or guidelines to reflect the changes made in this Executive Order.

5.       Executive branch agencies shall actively recruit small businesses to seek certification from DSBSD, to register on eVA, and to compete for state procurement contracts. DGS and VITA shall develop guidelines that promote greater representation of SWaM businesses on such contracts.

6.       VDOT, for road and bridge construction, and DGS, for construction, shall develop guidelines to be used by executive branch agencies in making construction mobilization payments to businesses when reasonable and necessary to facilitate contract initiation.

7.       The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) shall send DSBSD its regular report to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade on new economic development announcements of business activity in the Commonwealth, inclusive of those announcements in which a VEDP administered economic incentive is provided. Such report will enable DSBSD to ascertain in a timely manner what opportunities the activity may bring for Virginia’s small businesses.

8.       Every executive branch agency shall utilize the Commonwealth’s central electronic procurement system (“eVA”) as its purchasing and/or posting system beginning at the point of requisitioning for all procurement actions, including but not limited to technology, transportation, and construction, for the purpose of identifying available small businesses, and for tracking purchase requisition details from those businesses. DGS, in consultation with VDOT, shall develop guidelines pertaining to the content of requisitions, in order for data to be captured in a timely, accurate, and consistent manner.

9.       Each executive branch agency shall designate a SWaM equity champion to ensure equity in the solicitation of procurement proposals/bids and awarding of contracts. 

10.   Agency heads, senior managers with procurement responsibility, procurement personnel, and end users with purchasing charge cards shall be evaluated on small business purchasing goals as part of their employee evaluations.

11. DSBSD shall coordinate with the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal            League, and the Virginia Association of Governmental Purchasing to identify opportunities                                           for state and local government entities to collaborate in order to maximize procurement      equity for small businesses.

Reporting Requirements

1.       The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall study the potential advantages of providing start-up incentives, including federally-funded grants, to certified small businesses. This shall include a review of the economic impact of providing the incentives and whether such incentives would promote the profitability and sustainability of such businesses. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall provide a report to the Governor’s Chief of Staff by no later than December 1, 2014.

2.       Cabinet Secretaries shall monitor their agencies’ spending with all certified small businesses, and report on the results quarterly. DSBSD shall develop a standard reporting format for such purposes. The report shall include information on purchases made from all certified small businesses. In addition, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade will assess overall state performance, and report quarterly to the Governor.

           

           Each Cabinet Secretary shall evaluate the performance of their agencies in implementing     these directives. DSBSD, in cooperation with each Cabinet Secretary, shall provide quarterly          reports to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade regarding the Commonwealth’s progress in    enhancing opportunities for SWaM businesses. The reports shall delineate the            Commonwealth’s spending in detail by SWaM category and agency.

3.       The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall conduct a study on a new small business designation, with prospective set-aside opportunities, that would be between twenty-five (25) and one hundred (100) employees and between $3 and $10 million. The study shall be delivered to the Governor’s Chief of Staff no later than December 1, 2014.

4.       Executive branch entities and institutions with procurement responsibilities shall review practices, procedures, and proposal evaluations criteria to identify and remove barriers or limitations to SWaM participation. A section on “barriers or limitations” shall be included in annual agency SWaM plans. SWaM plans shall be developed and submitted to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade on September 1 of each fiscal year.

5.       The Secretary of Commerce and Trade will prepare and deliver a report to the Governor no later than October 1, 2015, detailing compliance with this Executive Order and providing spend performance metrics from the prior fiscal year.

          

Effective Date of this Order

            This Executive Order replaces Executive Order 33 (2006), issued by Governor Timothy M. Kaine, and shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

            Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 22nd day of July, 2014.

                       

________________________________

Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor

Attest: 

_______________________________

Levar M. Stoney, Secretary of the Commonwealth

Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments

Corner of 12th and Marshall. VCU MCV Campus; Richmond VA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration today. The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will grow Virginia’s economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.

Secretariat of Transportation

Ronique Day, Policy Analyst

Prior to her appointment, Ronique worked at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as a Procurement Policy Analyst to the Director of the Administrative Services Division. She began her tenure there as a Core Development Associate, a program designed to build a leadership pipeline. In addition, she has adjudicated social security disability cases for the Commonwealth and worked several years as an immigration paralegal at Challa Law Offices. Ronique holds a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from the University of Richmond and a Master’s in Business from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Board Appointments

Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Board

·       The Honorable Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond* of Virginia Beach, Councilwoman, City of Virginia Beach

·       Sandra F. Price-Stroble of Harrisonburg, Retired, Counselor and Teacher, Page County Public Schools

Board of Counseling

·       Cinda Caiella, LMFT of Richmond, Goochland-Powhatan Community Services

Board of Dentistry

·       John M. Alexander, D.D.S. of Richmond, Clinical Professor and Adjunct Faculty, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Virginia/VCU

Board of Directors of the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program

·       Vicki W. Harris, J.D.  of Glen Allen, Claim Attorney and Legislative Liaison, State Farm Insurance

·       Neal C. Schulwolf, J.D.* of Virginia Beach, Kalfus and Nachman, P.C.

Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers

·       R. Thomas “Tommy” Slusser, Jr. of Clifton Forge, Funeral Director, Owner and Manager, Nicely Funeral Home, Inc.

·       Junius H. Williams, Jr.* of Portsmouth, State and Local Affairs, Virginia/North Carolina, Dominion Virginia Power

Board of Physical Therapy

·       Allen Jones, Jr., DPT, PT of Newport News, Owner/CEO, Dominion Physical Therapy

Board of Social Work

·       Maria Eugenia del Villar, LCSW of Fairfax, Administrator and Counselor, Arlington Public Schools; Therapist, Multicultural Clinical Center

·       Yvonne P. Haynes, LCSW* of Midlothian, Mental Health Director, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority

·       Dolores Sweeny Paulson, Ph.D., LCSW of McLean, Director, The Ashford Center for Psychiatry and Mental Health

Board of Veterans Services

·       Captain William G. Haneke* of Chesterfield, USA (Ret.)

·       Susan Hippen of Virginia Beach, MCPO, United States Navy (Ret.)

·       The Honorable Jim Icenhour of Williamsburg, Major, US Air Force (Ret.)

·       Donald B. Kaiserman* of Glen Allen, Civilian and Military (Ret.)

Center for Rural Virginia

·       Andrew D. Whitley of Chilhowie, Political Consultant

Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission

·       Jeffrey K. Walker of Northampton, Retired airline pilot

Commission for the Arts

·       Robert (Bob) Behr of Chincoteague, Founder & Past President, Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, Owner, Island Cottage Collection, Artist, Educator/Administrator and  Community Activist

·       Dorothy Blackwell of Lexington, Graphic Artist and Painter, Founding member and treasurer, Rockbridge Studio Tour, Founder, Cooperative Gallery of the Nelson Gallery

·       Lorita Daniels of Spotsylvania, Former Education Services Specialist, Department of the Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany

·       Jay H. Dick of Alexandria, Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs, Americans for the Arts

·       Jo Hodgin of Annandale, Past Director, Planning and Initiatives, Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts

·       John V. Rainero, P.E. of Bristol, Assistant General Manager, Permatile Concrete Products Company, Inc., Chair, Bristol Convention and Visitors Bureau, Past President  -Birthplace of Country Music Alliance

·       The Honorable Grace Han Wolf of Herndon, Member, Herndon Town Council, Immediate Past President, Council for the Arts of Herndon

Commonwealth Transportation Board

·       Alison DeTuncq* of Charlottesville, President and CEO, University of Virginia

  Community Credit Union

Council on Virginia’s Future

·       Michael J. Cassidy of Richmond, President & CEO, The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis

·       Aneesh P. Chopra of Arlington, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, Hunch Analytics

Longwood University

·       David H. Hallock, Jr. of Richmond, Senior Advisor to U. S. Senator Mark Warner

Science Museum of Virginia Board of Trustees

·       Eucharia “Ukay” Jackson of Richmond, Marketing Consultant

·       Linda Nash of Richmond, CEO, Board Member, PartnerMD/Markel Ventures

·       James T. Roberts of Glen Allen, Vice President, Advantus Strategies, LLC

State Board for Community Colleges

·       William C. Hall, Jr. of Richmond,  Retired Vice President of External Affairs & Corporate Communications and President of The Dominion Foundation, Dominion Resources

Veteran Services Foundation

·       John D. Lesinski of Washington, Colonel, USMC (Ret.) and Senior Vice President, Colliers International

·       Matice J. Wright of Dunn Loring, Independent Consultant

Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority

·       Bittle W. Porterfield, III of Roanoke, President, Rice Management Company

·       Kay Sears of Vienna, President INTELSAT General Corp.

Virginia Fires Services Board

·       H. Lee Day, III of Forest, Retired, Past Deputy Director, Amherst County Department of Public Safety

·       David E. Layman of Ark, Fire Chief, City of Hampton

·       Bettie Reeves-Nobles of Carrolltown, Retired, Former Assistant Chief, Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue

·       Peter C.  Svoboda of Richmond, Administrator, Waldorf School, Adjunct Instructor, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy

·       Binh Nguyen, M.D., F.C.C.P. of McLean, USUHS/Walter Reed National Military Medical Center: Assistant Professor of Radiology

Virginia Outdoors Foundation

·       John L. Richardson of Delaplane, Principal, John L. Richardson, P.L.L.C.

·       Thomas G. Slater, Jr. of Richmond, Special Counsel and Chair Emeritus of the Litigation, Competition, and Labor Group, Hunton & Williams

Virginia Port Authority

·       Dr. Faith B. Power of Winchester, Professor of Management, Shenandoah University

Virginia War Memorial Board

·       April C. Cheek-Messier of Bedford, President, The National D-Day Memorial Foundation

·       Bernard L. Henderson, Jr. of Richmond, President, Woody Funeral Home

·       Bert W. Holmes, Jr., MD* of Virginia Beach, Medical Director, Hampton University Student Health and Medical Liaison, Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute

·       Joe Punaro* of Arlington, President, IronArch Technology

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