The PPEA represents a radical change in the way in which public entities in Virginia can procure virtually any public infrastructure.  Public entities at any level in the state can now bypass the Virginia Public Procurement Act and enter into "comprehensive agreements" with private entities for any public infrastructure project.

How can public entities best take advantage of the PPEA to fulfill their capital program needs? What should public bodies do in their implementing procedures beyond what is in the September 30, 2002, Model Procedures? What are the best methods for soliciting and evaluating proposals? What are potential sources of templates for "comprehensive agreements"? What questions do the Act and Model Procedures leave open? These and other issues will be addressed at the February 19, 2003, program. Joining knowledgeable Reed Smith presenters will be an analyst from Ernst & Young, the leading consulting firm in the country on real estate and privatization issues.

Reed Smith, one of Virginia's leading law firms, has special expertise in public-private projects, as well as work with land development, real estate, construction, financing, and public entities. Reed Smith's public-private experience includes the Dulles Greenway, Virginia's first private toll road since 1816, and projects under Virginia's Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995, the predecessor of the much broader PPEA. Reed Smith has been involved with public entity implementing procedures under the PPEA and in evaluating projects.

• Registration: 12:30 p.m.
• Program: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.