Q : What is Choice Facility Partners? A : Choice Facility Partners was created by Harris County Department of Education to streamline services when site/facility work is needed and to save time and money for client members. Because of the many advantages of the process, HCDE opened the process to share it with other organizations and governmental entities.   Q : Who is eligible to use CFP? A : Schools, education-related organizations, colleges, universities, municipalities, counties and other governmental entities across Texas along with other non-profits across Texas.   Q : What benefits do we gain from using CFP? A : Choice Facility Partners provides quality, quick method of delivering facilities services which: Saves staff time in purchasing - Contracts are already legally and competitively bid Saves staff time in construction services Saves money in facility budgets Schedule maintenance proactively (fix the roof before it leaks) Efficiently spend bond project funds for repair and renovation through JOC program.   Q : What is the cost to use CFP? A : There is no charge to client members to use CFP contracts; partners pay a small percentage fee back to Choice Facility Partners.   Q : How does it work? A : Governing boards of organizations and governmental entities sign an interlocal agreement, which stipulates that Choice Facility Partners takes the responsibility for legally and competitively bidding the contract. Once the organization/entity has signed the agreement, it may contract with the contract partner for services.   Q : What is a Job Order Contract? A : Job Order Contracts are relational, performance-based contracts where the facility services partner continually interacts and collaborates to provide construction services. JOC has been a legal, well-recognized delivery method for public schools since 1995. JOC is different from Design/Bid/Build, but is effectively and efficiently used to manage renovation, remodeling, rehabilitation, repair and other construction projects.   Q : What other services are available? A : Disaster Restoration and Recovery: HCDE provides mobile command centers to restore communications, with dedicated satellite bandwidth, and secure record storage for hard copy and electronic media. Webcasting and Public Meeting Management Technology:  Increased public responsiveness by implementing comprehensive solutions for government webcasting and minutes annotation, board voting solutions and other public meeting management solutions   ALPHA Building Corporation Alpha has been providing general construction services for more than 36 years and has been a JOC contractor for the military, municipalities and educational institutions for 33 years. Alpha has never received a cure notice or walked away from any ...   July 17, 2008 CFP featured in CJE newsletter -- read more   May 16, 2008 Governmental agencies invited to energy workshop -- read more   May 1, 2008 Governmental representatives invited to energy workshop -- read more   May 1, 2008 New Cooperative formed to provide facilities solutions -- read more   March 14, 2008 Choice Facility Partners Recommends Granicus, Inc. to Texas Schools/Cities for Webcasting and Meeting Management Technology -- read more   February 7, 2008 Procurement changes in effect -- read more   November 28, 2007 Energy conservation tool ready for use -- read more       What is the cost to use CFP?