As a Contracts and Purchasing Specialist at COG, Alieu Turay helps recruit and select the most qualified firms to make sure that COG and its members receive the best service for projects and programs.

Turay joined COG in 2013 as an intern in the Office of Finance and Accounting, and has since moved up to be a Contracts and Purchasing Specialist. Turay was always interested in law and politics, so working on contracts at COG seemed like the perfect fit. “COG has provided me with the necessary tools to grow as a professional and has launched my career in contracting and procurement,” said Turay.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, certification in Contract Management, and a Master’s degree in Acquisition and Supply Chain Management underway, Turay brings an extensive educational background to his position. He supports staff across departments through the entire contracts process from defining the scope of work to issuing the contracts. Below are a few recent highlights from projects that he has worked on:

Turay helped move the contracts for the Metrorail Safety Commission forward

The Metrorail Safety Commission (MSC) is a new independent entity that is being set up to replace the Tri-State Oversight Committee. The MSC will provide safety oversight for Metrorail operations in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

“The MSC is important more now than ever,” said Turay. “As a daily Metro rider, we want to see a safe and reliable system.”  

COG is the designated recipient of Federal Transit Administration funds and is charged with the responsibility to work with D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to help establish the MSC. In his role, Turay helps administer the contracts for the MSC on behalf of the local jurisdictions. In early August, he organized a pre-bid conference to provide interested vendors with more information.

So far contracts have been awarded to a search firm to hire an Executive Director for the MSC. Next, contracts for a firm to hire management, legal, and administrative positions will also be awarded. “The goal is to help put together the best team possible, so that the MSC will be successful,” said Turay.

He facilitated the agreement with the U.S. Army to study coastal flooding

Working with the accounting and legal offices at COG and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Turay helped execute the agreement for COG to begin a study on coastal flooding in the region. The approximately $3-million, three-year study will assess possible ways to address coastal flooding and storm damage across more than 57 square miles in D.C. and surrounding areas of suburban Maryland and northern Virginia.

This study will help protect communities in the region from flooding and better understand how we can improve our infrastructure, said Turay. The study will be used by local jurisdictions to help prepare for future storm and flood events.

He helped COG coordinate its Regional Air Passenger Survey

Since Turay started working at COG, he has been involved with the Regional Air Passenger Survey, which is conducted every two years. Turay helps COG select a qualified contractor to conduct the survey at all three of the commercial airports: BWI Marshall Airport, Reagan National Airport, and Dulles International Airport.

The survey includes data on passenger enplanements at each airport, the factors that influence traveler’s airport choice, passenger point of origin, and mode of transportation to the airport. The survey data is used for the airport system planning and master planning processes. 

Turay says he enjoys the collaborative nature at COG and being able to see your work in action across the region, “It feels good to be a part of all these projects and see how COG is making a difference in our region.”