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Contractors, state reps meet next week in CasperContractors, state reps meet next week in CasperWednesday, July 6, 2011  CASPER — Contractors will have an opportunity next week to talk to officials of at least five Wyoming state agencies that seek bids and issue contracts on building projects. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wyoming has set up a workshop to educate, engage and endure so builders can network with other construction professionals and government representatives who administer contracts or set standards for bidding. The conference will be at Casper's Parkway Plaza Hotel and Convention Centre on Friday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. State agencies to be represented include the State Office of Construction Management, Wyoming School Facilities Commission, the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Business Council. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration will participate in order to give contractors information on construction management and financing. A featured speaker will be Chris Boswell, director of the State Department of Administration and Information. Josh Carnahan, ABC's president, said the conference's purpose is "to get contractors and state officials together to talk about state procedures and requirements." He also noted that contractors doing more state-funded work, such as local school buildings, will benefit by talking to often-anonymous state officials who establish standards for contracts that builders must sign as part of securing a state-funded job. Carnahan noted that the conference is apolitical. It is designed to provide technical information to builders and so state officials can become acquainted with the private sector. There has been considerable controversy over the last year or two as long-time Wyoming contractors have lost jobs to out-of-state builders who only have a mailbox or fax machine as their place of business in Wyoming. Those companies often are able to underbid local contractors. The ABC also has made available booth space for builders or others associated with the industry at no cost. Registration for conference attendees is requested, so ABC staff knows how many to expect for lunch. More information is available by emailing laurah@abcwyoming.org. 
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