PUBLIC NOTICE - - - SEWERAGE & WATER BOARD OF NEW ORLEANS SOLICITATION NO. 2026-SWB-18 (30111) SUCTION ISOLATION AT 12 SEWER PUMPING STATIONS The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans is soliciting vendors for the Preparation and Installation of valves for Wet Well isolation at twelve (12) various sewer pumping stations located in New Orleans, LA. Bid Documents and proposal forms are available for download on April 10, 2026, at the following websites: SWBNO: https://www2.swbno.org/business_bidspecifications.asp LAPAC: https://wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana.gov/OSP/LaPAC/dspBid.cfm?search=department&term=181 A NON- MANDATORY pre-bid conference will be held on April 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Central Time at the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans Procurement Conference Room 131, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70165 or if you are unable to attend this in-person meeting, you can also join via teleconference call: Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27982612164688?p=qMycYczXUohiHyWPKt Meeting ID: 279 826 121 646 88 Passcode: oF6yM22Z Dial in by phone +1 504-224-8698,,412711211# United States, New Orleans Phone conference ID: 412 711 211# All inquiries shall be directed to Kimberly Barnes, Procurement Specialist, at kbarnes@swbno.org. The deadline for inquiries is on April 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Bids are due on May 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Any Bids received after the specified time will be rejected. Bids will then be publicly opened and read on May 7, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, 625 St. Joseph Street, Purchasing Conference Room 131, New Orleans, Louisiana. Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21765350414705?p=zqNqdScHogEF7gub9G Meeting ID: 217 653 504 147 05 Passcode: 5SD2mD22 Dial in by phone +1 504-224-8698,, 549240707# United States, New Orleans Phone conference ID: 549 240 707# LATE BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 183609-apr 10-24-27-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The Supreme Court of Louisiana, Office of the Judicial Administrator invites qualified vendor to submit proposals for the design and construction of a Civil Protection Order Public Portal for the Louisiana Protective Order Registry (LPOR). Vendors have until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 to submit proposals. Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered. The Project Number for this request for proposals (RFP) is RFP LASC-2026-02. A copy of the RFP may be obtained from Maurine Laborde, Staff Attorney, Supreme Court of Louisiana, General Counsels Office, 400 Royal Street, Suite 1190, (504) 310-2550, mlaborde@lasc.org. A copy of the RFP has also been posted on the Supreme Court website (www.lasc.org). This announcement does not commit the Court to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of proposals. The Court reserves the right to accept or to reject in full or in part all proposals submitted and/or to cancel the RFP. Any contract awarded shall be based upon the proposal most advantageous to the Court. All contracts are subject to the availability of funds. 183716-APR 13-20-27-may 4-4t $92.64

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC BELT RAILROAD COMMISSION FOR THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS INVITATION TO BID NO. 3117: HUEY P. LONG BRIDGE DECK TRUSS FLOOR SYSTEM AND TRUSS LATERAL REPAIRS: April 13, 2026 The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commission for the Port of New Orleans (NOPB) is soliciting bids for the Huey P. Long Bridge Deck Truss Floor System and Truss Lateral Repairs (the Project) in accordance with the General Conditions, Special Conditions, and Drawings attached hereto, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the form agreement attached hereto (the Agreement). Official bid documents are available for download from Central Bidding at www.centralbidding.com and the Sebconnect App. For any questions relating to the electronic bidding process, please call Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. The App is available for download on both Apple and Android platforms. PRE-BID CONFERENCE: The NOPB will host an in person pre-bid conference on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:00am C.S.T., meeting at 940 Central Ave, Metairie, LA 70001, and then go to the site where services will be performed. NOPB CONTACT: Bidders must submit questions via email to procurement@railnola.com by Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. C.S.T. As necessary, addenda to this ITB will be issued to all bidders receiving this ITB. Questions, answers, and all forms required will be posted on Central Bidding at www.centralbidding.com. BID SUBMISSION: NOPB will accept electronic bids at www.centralbidding.com until 10:00 a.m. C.S.T. on May 21, 2026 the (Bid Submission Deadline). Any bid received after the Bid Submission Deadline will not be considered. Bids must be submitted electronically at www.centralbidding.com For any questions relating to the electronic bidding process, please call Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. The bidder must attach a completed and signed digital copy of the Bid Form, Proof of Authority and any other documents required in the Bidding Documents. The NOPB shall not be responsible if a bidder cannot complete or submit an electronic bid. Bidders shall be responsible for receiving confirmation that the bid was successfully delivered prior to the Bid Submission Deadline. BID OPENING: Immediately following the Bid Submission Deadline, bids will be opened in accordance with the Bidding Documents. 184391-apr 16 27-may 1-3t $

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids will be received for the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District (LSED) at the office of Legends Global Gate F Executive Offices, Caesars Superdome, 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, LA 70112. The deadline for receipt of bids is 10:00 AM on May 15, 2026, at which time bids will be opened and read aloud in a public meeting in the Legends Global Conference room at Gate F of Caesars Superdome. FOR: Smoothie King Center- Freight Elevator Modernization Project PROJECT NUMBER: 2026 SKC R & R Funds Complete Bid Documents for this project are available in electronic form. They may be downloaded without charge and without deposit from the LSED website www.lsedgov.org under tab Opportunities and then Request for Bids: Capital Projects and Services Printed copies are not available from the Designer, but arrangements can be made to obtain them through most reprographic firms. Plan holders are responsible for their own reproduction costs. Questions about this procedure shall be directed to the Designer at: Mickey Schultz Lerch Bates, Inc. mickey.schultz@lerchbates.com All bids shall be accompanied by bid security in an amount of five percent (5.0%) of the sum of the base bid and all alternates. The form of this security shall be as stated in the Instructions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. The successful Bidder shall be required to furnish a Performance and Payment Bond written as described in the Instructions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. A PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD at 11 am on May 5, 2026 at Legends Global Conference Room, Caesars Superdome, Plaza Level Gate F, 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, LA 70112 Bids shall be accepted from Contractors who are licensed under LA. R.S. 37:2150-2192 for the classification of Building Construction. Bidder is required to comply with provisions and requirements of LA R.S. 38:2212(B)(5). No bid may be withdrawn for a period of forty-five (45) days after receipt of bids, except under the provisions of LA. R.S. 38:2214. The Available For Construction amount for this project is Five Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($540,000.00). The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In accordance with La. R.S. 38:2212(B)(1), the provisions and requirements of this Section; and those stated in the bidding documents shall not be waived by any entity. STATE OF LOUISIANA LOUISIANA STADIUM AND EXPOSITION DISTRICT. ROBERT A. VOSBEIN, CHAIRMAN 184895-apr 20-27-may 4-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - DOCUMENT 00 11 13 - ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS 1.1 PROJECT INFORMATION A. Notice to Bidders: bidders may submit bids for project as described in this Document. Submit bids according to the Instructions to Bidders. B. Project Identification: John A. Alario Event Center Life Safety and ADA Upgrades 1. LSED Project Number: 2025 LEDI Funds 2. Project Location: 2000 Segnette Boulevard, Westwego, LA 70094. C. Owner: Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED). 1. Owner's Representative: Legends Global, Eileen Long, Capital Projects Executive. D. Architect: Holly and Smith Architects, Robert J. Boyd, Project Manager. E. Project Description: Project addresses multiple life safety and ADA deficiencies at the existing facility. This includes but is not limited to the addition of a fire hydrant, replacement of non-fire-rated openings, minor sprinkler modifications, door hardware adjustments, parking lot striping, room signage replacement, and the addition of steel cane detection rails. 1. Project cost range is anticipated to be under $450,000.00. F. Construction Contract: Bids will be received for the following Work: 1. General Contract (all trades). 1.2 BID SUBMITTAL AND OPENING A. Sealed bids will be received for the State of Louisiana by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED) until the bid time and date at the location given below. Owner will consider bids prepared in full compliance with Louisiana Public Bid Law, and delivered as follows: 1. Bid Date: May 15, 2026 2. Bid Time: 12:00 p.m., local time. 3. Location: Legends Global Executive Offices, Gate F, Plaza Level, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA 70113, (504) 587-3920. 4. All properly submitted bids will be thereafter publicly opened and read aloud. B. ANY PERSON REQUIRING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS SHALL NOTIFY THE LOUISIANA STADIUM AND EXPOSITION DISTRICT OF THE TYPE(S) OF ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE THE BID OPENING. 1.3 BID SECURITY A. Bid security shall be submitted with each bid in the amount of 5 percent of the bid amount. The form of this security shall be as stated in the Instructions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of 45 days after opening of bids, except under the provisions of La. R.S. 38:2214. Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In accordance with La. R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1)(b), the provisions and requirements of this Section, those stated in the advertisement for bids, and those required on the bid form shall not be considered as informalities and shall not be waived by any public entity. B. The successful Bidder shall be required to furnish a Performance and Payment Bond written as described in the Instructions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. 1.4 PREBID MEETING A. Prebid Meeting: A Mandatory Prebid meeting for all bidders will be held at the project site: the John A Alario Event Center, 2000 Segnette Boulevard, Westwego, LA 70094, on April 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., local time. Prospective prime bidders are required to attend. 1.5 DOCUMENTS A. Online Procurement and Contracting Documents: Complete Bid Documents for this project are available in electronic form on the LSED website. They may be obtained without charge and without deposit by visiting the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District website, under "Business Opportunities" page. The Bid Documents wil be listed under Request for Bid: 2025 LEDI Funds. Printed copies are not available from the Owner or Designer, but arrangements can be made to obtain them through most reprographic firs. Please note that Plan Holders are responsible for their own reproduction costs. B. Questions: questions about this procedure and all other questions regarding the scope of work of the project should be directed to the Project Manager in writing via email only: robert@hollyandsmith.com.bta 1.6 BIDDER'S QUALIFICATIONS A. Bids shall be accepted only from Contractors who are licensed under La. R.S. 37:2150-2192 for the classification of: "Building Construction." B. The bidder is required to comply with provisions and requirements of La. R.S. 38:2212(B)(5). END OF DOCUMENT 00 11 13 184879-apr 20-27-may 4-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans Request for Proposal Marketing and Communications Services Solicitation# 2026-SWB-02 The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans invites qualified firms or consultants to submit proposals to provide comprehensive communications and public relations support for both internal and external audience. The selected firm will assist in advancing the agencys mission, enhancing public trust and effectively communicating key initiatives in water, sewer and drainage services. RFP will be available April 20, 2026, for download at the following websites: SWBNO: https://www2.swbno.org/business_bidspecifications.asp LAPAC: https://wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana.gov/OSP/LaPAC/dspBid.cfm?search=department&term=181 A mandatory pre-proposal conference for this RFP will be held on April 28, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. (CDT) at the SWBNO Administration Building, 625 St. Joseph St. Executive Boardroom, New Orleans, LA 70165 or if you are unable to attend this in-person meeting, you can also join via teleconference call: Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/264143914249729?p=Ubo09Z5B8mzyrdNBzI Meeting ID: 264 143 914 249 729 Passcode: Qs28mX6j Dial in by phone +1 504-224-8698,,459282004# United States, New Orleans Phone conference ID: 459 282 004# At this meeting, staff will discuss the scope of work, proposal requirements and respond to questions from the attendees. Proposers failure to attend the mandatory pre-proposal conference will be disqualified from presenting a bid submission. Inquiries and/or Requests for Clarification are due to Prentice Mackyeon, on April 30, 2026, no later than 5:00 pm (CDT) via in writing or email to pmackyeon@swbno.org. All responses will be posted on or before May 5, 2026. Proposals will be received by the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans Procurement Department by May 18, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. (CDT) For submission instructions, see proposal documents. LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 184710-apr 20-27-2t $97.88

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids will be received for the KIPP New Orleans (KIPP) by the Main Conference Room, 1055 St. Charles Avenue Suite 400, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, until 1:00 PM on May 19, 2026. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at that time, and a tabulation will be made for consideration by the Owner in awarding the Contract. Bids received after the above-designated date and time will not be opened and will be rejected. ANY PERSON REQUIRING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS SHALL NOTIFY THE KIPP NEW ORLEANS OF THE TYPE(S) OF ACCOMMODATION REQUIRED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE THE BID OPENING. FOR: KIPP (KCCA) Interior Renovations 2514 Third Street New Orleans, LA 70113 PROJECT NUMBER: KIPP 26-001 Architects contact information: Workshop WDXL LLC 701 Poydras Street, Ste. 4100 New Orleans, LA 70139 Attn: David Demsey 504-321-1173 demsey@workshopwdxl.com Complete bidding documents are being distributed in electronic form at no cost they may be obtained from www.centerlinebidconnect.com. Bid documents can be emailed by Architect upon request or a downloadable link will be provided to obtain bid documents in PDF format. All Bids must be accompanied by bid security equal to five percent (5%) of the sum of the Base Bid and all Alternates, and must be in the form of a certified check, cashier's check or the KIPP New Orleans Bid Bond Form written by a surety company licensed to do business in Louisiana, signed by the surety's agency or attorney-in-fact. Surety must be listed on the current U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Management Service list of approved bonding companies as approved for an amount equal to or greater than the amount for which it obligates itself in the Bond, or must be a Louisiana domiciled insurance company with at least an A - rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best's Key Rating Guide. If surety qualifies by virtue of its Best's listing, the amount of the Bond may not exceed ten percent of policyholders' surplus as shown in the latest A.M. Best's Key Rating Guide. The Bid Bond shall be in favor of the KIPP New Orleans, and shall be accompanied by appropriate power of attorney. No Bid Bond indicating an obligation of less than five percent (5%) by any method is acceptable. The successful Bidder shall be required to furnish a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond written by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana, in an amount equal to 100% of the Contract amount. Surety must be listed currently on the U. S. Department of Treasury Financial Management Service List (Treasury List) as approved for an amount equal to or greater than the contract amount, or must be an insurance company domiciled in Louisiana. If the Surety is not listed on the Treasury List, and has less than an A- rating (as shown in the latest edition of A.M. Bests Key Rating Guide) the maximum Contract amount for which that Surety may provide a Bond is $500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Dollars), or fifteen percent of the Suretys policyholders' surplus (as shown by Surety's most recent financial statements filed with the Louisiana Department of Insurance), whichever is less. If the Surety is not listed on the Treasury List, and has at least an A- rating or better (as shown in the latest edition of A.M. Bests Key Rating Guide), the maximum Contract amount for which that Surety may provide a Bond is fifteen percent of the Suretys policyholders' surplus (as shown by Surety's most recent financial statements filed with the Louisiana Department of Insurance. The Bond shall be signed by the surety's agent or attorney-in-fact, and shall be in favor of the KIPP New Orleans. A PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at KCCA located at 2514 Third Street, New Orleans, LA 70113 Attendance at this conference is NOT required but highly encouraged and Bidders are advised that they will be required to state on the Bid Form that they are familiar with the Project site located at 2514 Third Street, New Orleans, LA 70113. Bids shall be accepted from Contractors who are licensed under LA. R.S. 37:2150-2163 for the classification of Building Construction. Bidder is required to comply with provisions and requirements of LA R.S.38:2212 (A)(1)(a). No bid may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days after receipt of bids, except under the provisions of LA. R.S. 38:2214. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In accordance with La. R.S. 38:2212 (B)(1), the provisions and requirements of this Section, those stated in the advertisement bids, and those required on the bid form shall not be considered as informalities and shall not be waived by any public entity. NOTICE OF PUBLIC FUNDING: Notice is hereby given that this Project is to be financed in whole or in part by federal or other funds which will not be readily available at the time the Bids are received. As a result, pursuant to La. R.S. 38:2215, the Owner is exempt from the requirement of acting to award the Contract or reject all Bids within forty-five (45) calendar days of receipt of the Bids. Pursuant to this Statute, the Owner specifically reserves the right to hold all Bids for greater than forty-five (45) calendar days. The KIPP New Orleans Charter shall incur no obligation to the Contractor until the Contract Between Owner and Contractor is fully executed. INCORPORATION OF INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS INTO ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Instructions to Bidders contained in the Bid Documents (referenced above), and all requirements contained therein, are incorporated into this Advertisement for Bids as if completely set forth herein. By: Mr. Jimmie Gooden KIPP Director of Facilities Insertion dates: (1) Monday , April 20, 2026 (2) Monday , April 27, 2026 (3) Monday, May 4, 2026 184335-APR 20-27-may 4-3t $297.30

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (the Authority) is requesting sealed bids for C-2207 Furnish & Install Sprinkler System Improvements. Bids are due on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at which time bids received on time and in the correct location will be considered. Bid documents may be obtained online at https://www.centralauctionhouse.com/Category/10822/NewOrleansErnestNMorialConventionCenter or by contacting the Contracts Department at (504) 582-3562 or via email at contracts@mccno.com. All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bid documents. 184764-apr 21-27-may 6-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - CIVIL DISTRICT COURT FOR THE PARISH OF ORLEANS STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 2026-01106 DIVISION: M IN RE: SUCCESSION OF ROBERT DANIEL GOUZIEN NOTICE OF SECOND (2ND) TABLEAU OF DISTRIBUTION Notice is hereby given to the heirs and creditors of this Estate and to all other persons herein interested to show cause within seven (7) days from this notification (if any they have or can) why the Second (2nd) Tableau of Distribution for the Succession of Robert Daniel Gouzien presented by the Executor of this Estate should not be approved and homologated and the funds distributed in accordance herewith. BY ORDER OF THE COURT Submitted By: Lee Phillips (Bar #25826) Attorney at Law 2120 Bienville Street New Orleans, LA 70112 (504)236-0168 Publication: The New Orleans Advocate: April 27, 2026 The Louisiana Weekly: May 4, 2026 Published once 185690-apr 27-1t

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - CIVIL DISTRICT COURT FOR THE PARISH OF ORLEANS STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 2026-0110 DIVISION: M IN RE: SUCCESSION OF ROBERT DANIEL GOUZIEN NOTICE OF PETITION TO ALIENATE MOVABLE-MOTOR VEHICLE Notice is hereby given to the heirs and creditors of this Estate and to all other persons herein interested to show cause within seven (7) days from this notification (if any they have or can) why the Petition for Authority to Alienate Movable -Motor Vehicle, for the Succession of Robert Daniel Gouzien presented by the Executor of this Estate should not be approved and the sale be authorized. BY ORDER OF THE COURT Submitted By: Lee Phillips (Bar #25826) Attorney at Law 2120 Bienville Street New Orleans, LA 70112 (504)236-0168 Publication: The New Orleans Advocate: April 27, 2026 The Louisiana Weekly: May 4, 2026 Published once 185682-apr 27-1t

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - ADVERTISEMENT TO INVITATION TO BID CITY OF NEW ORLEANS SPONSORING DEPARTMENT: Equipment Maintenance Department TITLE: Sheet Metal Repair SOURCING EVENT NO.: 4665 TYPE OF SOLICITATION: Materiel and Supplies DBE OPPORTUNITY: NO RELEASED ON: April 27, 2026 DEADLINE TO RESPOND: May 12, 2026 2:00 PM CST PRE-BID CONFERENCE via Teams: May 6 2026 11:00 am CST Dates are subject to changes via an addendum posted by the Bureau of Purchasing on the Citys supplier portal. If this solicitation is federally funded, prospective bidder/respondent must pay particular attention to all applicable laws and regulations of the Federal government and the State of Louisiana. The Bureau of Purchasing uses commodity codes to notify suppliers of the release of a sourcing event and subsequent modifications via addendum. Note that you would receive those notifications if you selected the following commodity code(s) before the release of the sourcing event: COMMODITY CODE(s): 928-47 The City of New Orleans strongly encourages minority-owned and women-owned businesses, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses and small businesses to respond to this solicitation, or to participate in subcontracting opportunities pursuant to this solicitation. For more information about this sourcing event, go to www.nola.gov and click on BRASS Supplier Portal under BIDS & CONTRACTS. Once on the Supplier Portal, search Open Events. Thank you for your interest in doing business with the City of New Orleans. James Simmons, Jr. Chief Procurement Officer Advertising Dates: April 27, May 4 and 11, 2026 NOCP 9033 185596-apr 27-may 4-11-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE - - - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Mobile Harbor Container Crane Barge April 27, 2026 Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Board) is requesting proposals from qualified suppliers of specialized crane services and equipment. Respondents to provide one (1) mobile harbor container crane barge. All Request for Proposal (RFP) documents will be available on www.centralbidding.com on Monday, April 27, 2026. The RFP documents may also be obtained from the SEBconnect App, available on both the Apple and Google play platforms. A Mandatory Pre-Proposal meeting will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (C.S.T.) at the Port of New Orleans Cranes Maintenance Building; located at 4951 Terminal Drive, New Orleans, LA. 70115. Attendance is required to submit a response for consideration. Proposals must be submitted via Central Bidding, no later than 11:00 AM (CST), on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to be considered. Respondents shall follow the instructions given in this Request for Proposals (RFP) in order to respond with a valid proposal for evaluation by the Boards Evaluation Committee. All inquiries shall be directed to the Procurement Department at procurement@portnola.com by Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM (CST). Addenda to this RFP will be issued to all Respondents receiving this RFP. Questions and answers and all forms required will be posted on www.centralbiding.com. The Board strongly encourages the acquisition of goods and services from and direct participation of eligible business entities (EBEs) as defined in the Board's Small Business Opportunity Program (the Program). The Program is a race and gender-neutral program intended to provide additional contracting and procurement opportunities for certified eligible businesses by encouraging contractors who receive state contracts to use good-faith efforts to utilize such certified entities in the performance of those contracts. The Board desires to achieve, to the greatest extent possible, commercially meaningful and useful participation by EBEs. By providing equitable opportunities for EBEs, the Board derives multiple benefits, including contributing to the economic vitality of our communities and ensuring a broader selection of competitively priced goods and services. Respondents should present a responsible plan that provides for participation of qualified EBEs. Respondents should clearly state EBE participation goals and their plan for implementation of the same in their proposal. Respondents should also include information relative to the participation levels it has managed on other prior projects. Participation shall be counted toward meeting the contract goals only by business entities certified designated in the Program. The direct participation goal can be achieved through direct ownership, joint venture participation, owner/operator agreements, or sublease agreements for operations. Participation shall include work opportunities in planning, development, construction, and operation of the Project. The Board accepts the following certifications: (1) the SLDBE program run by the City of New Orleans, (2) the state of Louisianas Department of Economic Developments SBE Hudson Initiative program, (3) The Louisiana Unified Certification Program, or (4) the Federal Small Business Enterprise Program. Proposals shall include evidence of a current certification in order to receive points for participation. 185560-apr 27-may 1-2t $111.96