A note from 8-koi headquarters :: winter 2023
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It’s the beginning of the Lunar New Year and it will continue until the next Lunar New Year on Feb. 9, 2024, according to the Chinese calendar. Happy Chinese New Year! It’s a cultural celebration bringing good fortune and health – a celebration I enjoy sharing with our team. It’s also the Year of the Rabbit, symbolizing kindness, loyalty, understanding, generosity, thoughtfulness and honesty.
Similarly, these virtues are the very values 8-koi was founded on - passion, excellence, dependability, thoughtfulness. Through you and our team, we are able to produce exceptional results for each other and our clients. Gratitude for our team keeps growing and building with each anniversary, milestone and celebration because without our team members, we could not produce the outcomes we do. Thank you for the many ways you demonstrate the same attributes of the rabbit. Thank you for your continued loyalty, your understanding and compassion for others, the generosity you give and the thoughtfulness you bring to your own unique role.
In this issue of WAVES you’ll find reasons to celebrate colleagues and inspiration in the achievements made by our team across the country.
Together into the new year, we continue along a shared strategic path to offer our four unique attributes of design/build/staff and supply – full-spectrum contracting solutions – to new and repeat customers. Thank you for your continued dedication.
Knowledge will bring you power, but character respect.
—Bruce Lee, Hong Kong and American
martial artist, actor, director and philosopher
I see the passion, excellence, dependability and thoughtfulness in you, and I am grateful.
Wishing you a prosperous Year of the Rabbit,
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Inga I. Young
Founder and President
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Delicious food and festivities were shared among the 8-koi team in celebration of the New Lunar Chinese Year at Headquarters in Melbourne, FL, on January 26, 2023. |
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PROGRESS WITH OUR 4 Ps:
People, Programs, Processes and Pipeline
Our 8-koi team continues to gain traction going into the first quarter by executing excellent “Human Touch” operations. Here are some of our highlights:
PEOPLE:
Walter Reed: Medical Emergency Dispatchers: Christopher Adams, Imani Mitchell, Jazel Salvador, Alyse Perez-Rivera, Amerina Chu, Dana Jackson, Quannica Jones, Quincy Cobey
El Paso:
Case Managers: Nereida Hermosillo
Recreational Specialist: Idali Ortiz Munoz
Case Aid: Adriana Mendez Aguilar, Jesus Villela, Cynthia Grijalva
Operations Support: Jonny Berrios
FBI Admin Support: Management and Program Analyst, Christine Hohl, Exec Admin Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Ka’Teria Spears
Physical Readiness Information Management System (PRIMS): Program Data Analyst, Mike Wallace
Melbourne: Documentation Specialist, Regina Weiler, Office Admin, Kelly Casanova, Financial Admin Assistant Ella O’Neil
The 8-koi construction team, supported by the engineering team, recently received an Exceptional Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) report for the Upgrade Mechanical Systems at various locations for Kennedy Space Center (KSC) projects. The work for this contract consisted of providing the labor, equipment and materials to replace existing air handler units (AHUs) and condensing units (CUs) with new Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
From the CPAR: “The contractor provided exceptional workmanship for the replacement and the new installation of the AHUs, and CUs, when it came to connecting new branch ducts to the existing deteriorated above the ceiling duct system.”
Past performance information is relevant information for future source selection purposes, regarding a contractor’s actions under previously awarded contracts or orders. CPARS reports are what potential customers review in evaluating us for future work. Exceptional scores are the absolute top score a contractor can receive.
I’d like to recognize and thank the following people for their efforts:
Construction Team
- Matthew Charmbury – Project Manager
- Steve Passaro - Superintendent/Construction Quality Management
- Stephan Nichols - Superintendent/Construction Quality Management
- Maricza Torres – Project Coordinator
Engineering Team
- Matthew Charmbury - Project Manager
- Ben Garner - Mechanical Engineer
- Li Li - Mechanical Engineer
- Lance Beck - Computer-Aided Design Lead
- Jared Jacobs - Computer-Aided Design As-Builts
The 8-koi team developed a new WRNMMC Emergency Management Training Manual for all the employees supporting the project. The customer was very pleased with our efforts and said, “This looks great!! I will have Mr. Legge and his crew look this over. I am sure they will love it as well. Thank you for your help with this.”
The team responsible for developing this excellent product were:
- Cyria Knight
- Amerina Chu
- Kyle Coppa-Cross
- Kathy Ansel
- Elizabeth Berry
- Anthony Pereira
PROGRAMS:
Construction
8-koi's Construction Department worked on the following contracts:
- Restore Finishes Provide Electrical and Data contract at NAS Jax POP - awarded 7/13/22, completion 12/27/22. 8-koi provided all labor, material, equipment, transportation and supervision necessary in RM 1235: removed tile, built wall with door, moved switches, leveled the floor and added eight receptacles and 16 drops (DATA/Phone) and RM 1102 removed all carpet tile, added new LVT in the main office and conference room and new carpet tile in other office. Remove wallpaper, patch dry wall and paint to a level four finish in all rooms. This project is located at NAS Jacksonville Hospital.
- HVAC System at NOSC at Tampa, FL. Awarded 8/22/22, estimated start in March 2023. The scope of work is to provide modifications to the HVAC system at NOSC Tampa to improve the reliability of service to the server and secure spaces. It will also address the building’s inadequate ventilation in the locker room area and overcooling in other spaces. 8-koi will provide all the labor, material, equipment, supervision, and quality control necessary to complete the project.
- VAB HB4 Modification (Project Scheduling) at KSC, FL. POP Awarded 8/23/22-12/23/22, construction cost estimate and scheduling services in support of a study of facility requirements in support of Mobile Operation, V AB High Bay 4 Modifications at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), FL.
Design Engineering
Cape Design Engineering successfully captured contracts supporting multiple federal, state and county agencies. Some projects include:
- Install 25,000-Gallon Reserve Fuel Tank for Boiler Plant at VA in Atlanta
- Design to Repair Various Roofs at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Design to Renovate Storage B56944 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Continuing Engineering Services (VCSB) for Volusia County School Board
- Design for Astronaut Memorial Fund (AMF) Mech Upgrade at Kennedy Space Center
Healthcare
8-koi’s healthcare division is busy supporting the DHA Emergency Dispatch Services Contract. 8-koi operates this contract 365/24/7 at Walter Reed.
Technical Administration
Supported hiring efforts for a subcontractor El Paso project. Within a week, the HR/El Paso office team quickly hired eight personnel.
PROCESS: We gained further traction by focusing on business development “Big Rocks.” We are preparing to be ISO 9001:2015 certified for our healthcare supporting HR, recruiting, and credentialing processes. The international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Organizations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. The ISO prep team has been led by John Weiler and supported by Regina “Rocket” Weiler, May Rilo, Lisa McCarty, Robin O’Connor, Amy Sigmon and Elizabeth Berry.
PIPELINE: We continue to leverage our 8(a) eligibility – valid until April 2023. 8-koi won a total of nine contracts and identified 58 new business development opportunities that are being evaluated for pursuit this quarter. As always, we're pursing both prime and sub-contractor opportunities and are open to opportunities, newbusiness@8-koi.com.
As a team we continue to build on our strengths and work through the challenges and unknowns that arise. We have the momentum we need and a strong team with the right tools to make our shared goals a reality.
As always, your questions, suggestions and thoughtful emails are welcome.
Onward,
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Engineers Welcome Here!
We're accepting resumes.
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8-koi Honored with HIRE Vets Gold Medallion for Second Year in a Row |
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The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is the only federal award recognizing exceptional achievement in veteran employment. By meeting the criteria required for a Gold Medallion Award, 8-koi “demonstrated both patriotism and recognition of the value veterans bring to the workplace."
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MEET THE TEAM :: Yesenia Molina
HR/Recruiter
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Approaching her two-year anniversary with 8-koi, Project Manager for the Fort Bliss, Texas, Migrant Shelter, Yesenia Molina, supports the hiring, recruiting, every day operations and administrative duties for the site.
“Tasks and priorities change day by day. The 8-koi leadership and administrative teams work together to support each other when facing challenges, last minute changes and short deadlines,” Yesenia said.
A typical day involves balancing the prime contractor and Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) requirements, and insuring compliance with their standards, providing the support to resolve conflicts and challenges and finding ways to improve everyday work life and make the work environment more enjoyable for the Fort Bliss 8-koi team. Yesenia is passionate about her work and the people she works with and helping others.
"She is mindful of what is needed when ORR requests things and very compassionate regarding the employees that work there. She goes above and beyond to assist," said May Rilo, 8-koi HR/recruiter working closely with Yesenia.
One of the most important skills she’s developed in her role is, “learning to pivot to accomplish the most critical tasks for the day and time management.”
Before coming to 8-koi, Yesenia had a variety of work experiences from a range of industries including: technician mechatronics career, dentistry school in Mexico, photography, rocks and minerals retail and ministry school at Christ for the Nations where she attributes her growth in leadership skills.
8-koi COO, Dean Rosenquist, remembers the day he and 8-koi's CEO, Inga Young, interviewed Yesenia.
"Right away we recognized Yesenia was a very hard worker and always helping other employees. Yesenia was the obvious choice to assume the role and has been doing a great job ever since."
Born in Mexico, Yesenia grew up with her kindhearted and brilliant brother and tenacious sister in an entrepreneurial family where her parents demonstrated the virtues of hard work and being considerate and kind to others. She believes that everyone has something to give, no matter how little.
“A smile and encouraging words are free to you and are great value to somebody, changing their day or mood for the better,” she said.
Her seven-year-old son, Gabriel, is her motivation for being the best version of herself and for being an example of kindness and compassion. She finds the most joy in spending quality family time with her son.
“The meaning of life is to find your gift; the purpose of life is to give it away.” - Pablo Picasso
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Would you like to be featured in WAVES?
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January
1 – Jose Vazquez
2 – Cynthia Grijalva
5 – Danya Parson
7 – Idaly Villalobos
8 – Jamie Acosta
8 – Melissa Bellapu
8 – Joshua Nelson
9 – Alejandro Munoz
13 – Myra Pantoja
16 – Jared Jacobs
17 – Kyle Findlater
18 – Carlos Portillo Jr
18 – Dean Rosenquist
21 – Matthew Charmbury
23 – Luis Castrejon
24 – Kimberly Morris
26 – Uriel Lopez Jr
29 – Andrea Ramirez
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February
8 – Gabriela Avila
14 – Jennifer Gomez
16 – Viviana Prado
16 – Isaiah Ramirez
17 – Deliris David
17 – Cheryl Sills
21 – Joshua Chavez
22 – Yolanda Chavez
22 – Ashley Proctor
25 – Gordon Smith III
28 – Gabriel Lugo
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March
2 - Krutika Kanfade
4 – Carolina Tryon
7 – David Rogers
8 – David Medina Ortiz
9 – Pedro Balderrama
10 – Erik Martinez Ortiz
11 – Viridiana Caudillo
14 – Michael Ramirez
16 – Quannica Jones
18 – Deborah Dash
18 – Feve Lopez
19 – Rosa Sustaita
20 – Ella O'Neil
21 – Ashley McCarron
24 – Araceli Molinar
26 – Miriam Jasso
29 – Lance Beck
29 – Lisa McCarty
31 – Adriana Lopez Gonzalez
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Happy Work Anniversary
January
5 years, Jill Bond, Quality Assurance Specialist
1 year, Gary Palmer, Business Development Coordinator
1 year, Joshua Nelson, Const Site/Estimate Mgr
1 year, Patricia Muniz Brooks, Educational Instructor
1 year, Gordon Smith III, Physical Readiness Prog. Asst.
1 year, Grace Manning, Intern
1 year, Sainy March, Mental Health Clinician
February
6 years, Matthew Charmbury, Senior Project Manager
3 years, Matthew Gough, PEBLO
3 years, Kathryn Ansel, Proposal Writer
2 years, Patricia Williams, Medical Record Tech
1 year, Stephan Nichols Jr, Site Manager
1 year, Ivette Morales, Case Aide
1 year, Robert Sullivan, VP Design/Engineering
March
8 years, Alan Wright, Contracting Support Specialist
5 years, Krutika Kanfade, Mechanical Engineer II
5 years, Christopher Manning, Finance and Contracts Mgr
2 years, Anthony Pereira, Healthcare Project Coordinator
2 years, Ramon Acosta, Childcare Team Lead
2 years, David Molina Saucedo, Case Aide
2 years, Yesenia Molina, Project Manager
1 year, Keith Legette, Contract Specialist II
1 year, Carmen Arguelles, Case Aide
1 year, Sandra Tovar, Mental Health Clinician
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8-koi Dog Day Afternoon
Team members brought along their four-legged friends to 8-koi's Melbourne, FL Headquarters to celebrate our pet-friendly workplace on December 9, 2022.
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In the Community
Our CDE team was on the greens in support of student scholarships and Palm Beach State College's 17th Annual Golf Classic at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens on Oct. 21, 2022.
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Pictured above from L to R: Dean Rosenquist, Chris Manning, Philip Tahernia, Sami Mized |
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Pictured above from L to R: Inga Young, Krutika Kanfade, Elizabeth Berry |
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Holiday cheer and spirts were shared as the CDE team mingled at the SAME Space Coast Post social in Cocoa Beach on December 1, 2022.
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Pictured above from L to R: Otto Herrera, Inga Young, Dean Rosenquist |
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8-koi Earns Patent for Bollard System |
Did you hear? 8-koi's VP of Construction, Otto Herrera, saw an opportunity to improve, simplify and reduce costs to a an existing but dysfunctional vehicular barrier system and earned a patent and military approval for the OttoBollardTM. Congratulations, Otto!
Read more about how Otto transformed his idea into fruition here.
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From the Desk of Facility Security Officer Matthew Rebholz:
Whether insider risks have self-serving intentions or accidental, organizations need to better adapt to the risks that insiders pose to their organizations. Read more here.
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8-koi Veterans Employee Resource Group
We are proud to have military veterans on our team at 8-koi and Cape Design Engineering. Their training and experience help our company to uphold our core values of excellence and dependability. Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERGe) helps to "codify a framework attracting, hiring, retaining, nurturing and developing veterans within our organization."
Learn more about available resources at 8-koi.com.
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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
8-koi and, its wholly owned subsidiary, Cape Design Engineering (CDE) are Equal Opportunity Employers. 8-koi and CDE do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.
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Keystone Benefit Group
8-koi's New Employee Benefit Consulting Firm
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DO YOU LOVE 8-koi?
Our Google profile lets people know what we have to offer, and you all know best. Please take a minute to give us some stars and leave a short comment.
If there is something we can be doing better, please do not hesitate to reach out to our leadership team first.
THANK YOU for the LOVE!
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PASSION | EXCELLENCE | DEPENDABILITY | THOUGHTFULNESS |
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Are you all caught up with
8-koi kurrents?
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Read past issues of WAVES
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Look out for more WAVES!! |
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8-koi, Inc. has complied with the passage of an interim rule to bridge the gap toward full transition to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. The Department of Defense is requiring all contractors with the clause at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012 in their contracts to conduct a self-assessment of NIST SP 800-171 standards and enter their results into the Supplier Performance Risk System by November 30, 2020. Contractors who have not entered their results by that deadline will not be eligible for an award on a contract containing DFARS 252.204-7012.
Click here for more information.
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