Vol. 11 Issue 4 April 2011 ACEC/CO Annual Meeting Programs Wake-Up Call Breakfast Series May General Meeting Resources NCEES Newsletter"Licensure Exchange" April 2011 Follow us on Facebook!
|
|---|
Ten Engineering Students Receive ACEC/CO Scholarships at Reception
ACEC/CO held its Scholarship Reception last week, April 7, to celebrate our ten 2011 scholarship recipients. Thanks to our members, firms and individual contributors, the ACEC/CO Scholarship Committee was able to grant $28,500 in scholarship money to these outstanding engineering students: Read More..
In the News
ACEC/CO Visits Colorado Congressional Delegation in Washington DC
On March 30 and 31, ACEC/CO leadership and members visited all of our seven congressmen and two senators during ACEC’s Annual Convention. Our message was.. Read More..
ACEC/CO Member Firms Take Home National EEA Awards
Congratulations to our eight ACEC/CO member firms who competed in the ACEC National Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA). All of these firms were recognized at the EEA Gala at the ACEC National Convention in Washington DC on April 1, 2011. Three of the eight brought home special awards for their projects:
Merrick & Company, (Aurora) won a Grand Award for its "Cellulosic Biofuels Plant," project. URS Corporation (Denver) won an Honor Award for its "Dartmouth Dam Piano Key Weir Model Study" project and CH2M Hill (Englewood) also won an Honor Award for its "Prairie Waters Project Peter Binney Facility" project. Read More..
"Quality of Life" Report Presented at South Area Meeting
Susan Saksa, Executive Director for Leadership Pikes Peak and Dirk Draper of CH2M Hill gave a very interesting presentation on Colorado Springs’ Quality of Life” Report which can be found at www.pikespeakqualityoflife.org. An impressive group of community leaders assembled the data for 10 key indicators – such as transportation, building, environment, safety – that gives data on evolving trends and opportunities in Colorado Springs.
The 2011 report is now being compiled and will be distributed in September. For additional information on how to volunteer for the 2012 report, please contact Susan at susan@leadershippikespeak.org or Dirk Draper at dirk.draper@ch2m.com.
CDOT to Hold Public Hearing on ESB Program Rules
The proposed changes to the Emerging Small Business Program Rules have been submitted to the Secretary of State and a public hearing has been scheduled for May 24, 2011 at CDOT Headquarters Auditorium at 1:00pm. ACEC/CO is requesting comments to submit at the hearing. Please forward yours to mar@acec-co.org. Read More..
2011 Transportation Symposium Has Record Attendance
The 9th Annual Transportation Symposium that was held last Friday, April 8, at the Denver Pepsi Center received a record turn-out of 220 attendees, a 23 percent increase over last year. Thank you to all of our sponsors who participated in this event: AECOM, David Evans and Associates, TerraLogic, ApexDesign and McDowell Engineering.
MESA Grants Scholarships at Jamboree
Colorado MESA awarded $13,000 to seven graduating students at the annual High School Science Engineering Jamboree on April 6, 2011. These scholarships were generously provided through contributions from long standing supporters from the Charlie Farel and Robert Rodriguez families, Micro Motion-Boulder, and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado (ACEC/CO).
Membership Notices and
Engineers in the News
Membership Notices for new and prospective members and other membership changes.
Engineers in the News from our members and member firms.
News from National
National Director's Report
ACEC/CO National Director, Lauren Evans, gives a report on the ACEC National Board activities from the past year. Read More..
President's Report
From ACEC's President Dave Raymond on the latest developments of ACEC's government affairs on your behalf. Read more..
Giving Back: The Future of Engineering
Colorado Construction Career Days CDA Silent Auction
The Constructors and Designers Alliance is a statewide coalition of 23 trade associations, including ACEC/CO, and professional organizations representing many facets of the construction industry.
The CDA Silent Auction is the premier fundraising event to support Colorado Construction Career Days, an annual industry-wide event that provides high school students, grades 10 through 12, with an opportunity to experience the various areas of construction, including design and engineering.
The event will be held Thursday, June 23, 2011, 5:30 p.m. at the University of Denver Ritchie Ctr. Read More..
ACEC/CO Events Calendar
Register online, by calling 303-832-2200, or by e-mail for ACEC/CO programs.
- ACEC/CO Annual Meeting
Friday, April 22, 6:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Country Club. Join us for our annual celebration of leadership. Those receiving special awards at the meeting are: Joseph Tamburini, Tetra Tech; Stanley Neujahr, Neujahr & Gorman; ACEC/CO Staff; Melvin Dahlberg, Bohannan Huston; Paul Duncan, Pie Forensic Consultants; and Mary Beth Sepper.
- I Will Survive: The 2011 Economic Forecast
Thursday, April 21, 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Denver Downtown Convention Center. ACEC/CO is a co-host of this event that examines emerging trends on the national level and will highlight the economy for Colorado.
- Legal Considerations for Engineering Firms
Tuesday, April 26, 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. This educational program, sponsored by Van Gilder Insurance Corporation and ACEC/CO, will present legislative issues relating to engineering firms, ACEC membership benefits, health care reform, and an update on healt savings accounts. This event is free. Click the link above for registration and more information.
- Wake-up Call Breakfast
Wednesday, May 4, 7:30 a.m. at Sunrise Sunset Restaurant. Topic: "Hoarding or Careful? Document Retention Tips for Engineers," by Buck Beltzer of Holland & Hart Read More..
- Northern Joint Networking Event
May 5, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, Fort Collins. Join ACEC/CO, AIA, AGC and SMPS on Cinco De Mayo for this fun networking event.
- May General Meeting
Tuesday, May 24, 11:30 a.m. Topic: "DIA Master Plan Update," by Frederick Bush, Director of Planning, DIA. Read More..
- SAVE THE DATE - QBS Colorado 2011 Forum
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at PPA Event Center
"Using QBS for Design-Build Projects." This forum will show how the principles of QBS have been recently used on some of the most notable projects in Colorado.
ACEC/CO Career Training Center
- Expert Witness Practices Seminar
"Who is Responsible for Safety?" Learn more about this complicated issue from experienced professionals on Wednesday, May 4, 11:30 a.m.atthe Lakewood Country Club. Read More..
Rainmaker Training Series
ACEC/CO offers this new training series. Get your employees on board to become rainmakers or to learn new business development skills. Three sessions: May 19, June 16 and July 21, 2011. Read More..
- Future Leader Management Courses
You can sign up for individual courses for these last two sessions, May 3, 2011 on "How to Interview & Hire the Best" and June 7, 2011 on "Employment Law." Each Workshop is worth four professional development hours. Read More..
- April Webinars
Wednesday, April 27 - "How DCAA Audit Rules Now Apply to State DOT Projects" and Thursday, April 28 - "Strategies for implementing Successful Public-Private Partnership Projects" Read More..
Additional Professional Development
Opportunities and Events
- CMAA Colorado Chapter 2011 Owners' Night
The CMAA Colorado Chapter will host its third annual Owners Night event on Thursday, April 21, 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Inverness Hotel and Conference Center, Englewood. Read More..
- EPA Region 8 Climate Change Speaker Series
"Climate Change: Science vs. Skeptics" by Dr. Chuck Kutscher, NREL. This is a free event open to the public, Monday, April 25, 11:30 - 12:30 p.m. Read More..
- SMPS Upcoming Events:
Check out the upcoming events for the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Read More..
- APWA Street Conference 2011
The West Slope branch of Colorado APWA and the Colorado Association for Roadway Maintenance (CARMA) present its 24th Annual Spring Street Conference April 27-29 at the Doubletree Hotel in Grand Junction, CO. Click here for more information and registration.
- APWA Management Conference 2011
The American public Works Association (APWA) will be holding its annual Management Conference May 5-6, 2011 at Red Lion Hotel, Denver. This is an opportunity to showcase your company to numerous public works entities that will be in attendance. Visit http://colorado.apwa.net for attendee and sponsorship registration.
- Opportunities for Colorado Green Companies in Brazil
Join the World Trade Center Denver, the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, the OEDIT and other Colorado green technology companies to learn about opportunities for your business in Brazil followed by a panel of local companies active in the Brazil market. Read More..
ACEC/CO Visits Colorado Congressional Delegation in Washington DC
On March 30 and 31, ACEC/CO leadership and members visited all of our seven congressmen and two senators during ACEC’s Annual Convention. Our message was to repeal the 3 percent withholding bill on engineering services for federal, state and large municipal projects scheduled to begin in 2012; repeal the 1099 mandate that is part of the Healthcare Reform Act passed last year (now awaiting President Obama’s signature who is expected to sign it); infrastructure investment benefits our communities and provides jobs. We also shared with them the benefits of outsourcing work to the private sector will spur economic stimulus and recovery, and by imposing significant regulatory and tax burdens on small businesses hampers that effort. The talking points can be found at: http://www.acec.org/advocacy/keyissues.cfm.
ACEC/CO Member Firms Take Home National Excellence Awards
Congratulations to our eight ACEC/CO member firms who competed in the ACEC National Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA). Three of these eight brought home special awards for their projects.
Merrick & Company, (Aurora) won a Grand Award for its "Cellulosic Biofuels Plant," project. URS Corporation (Denver) won an Honor Award for its "Dartmouth Dam Piano Key Weir Model Study" project and CH2M Hill (Englewood) also won an Honor Award for its "Prairie Waters Project Peter Binney Facility" project.
The other five firms who received National Recognition Awards were: EMC Engineers, "Casey Middle School MEP Design;" Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, "6th Avenue Waste Tire Noise Wall;" Merrick & Company, "LiDAR Technology Soars in Conservation Management;" Richard P. Arber Associates, "Joint Water Purification Plant."
All of these firms were recognized at the EEA Gala at the ACEC National Convention in Washington DC on April 1, 2011. To view other ACEC National EEA winners and the gala brochure click here.
Merrick & Company
"Cellulosic Biofuels Plant”
Client: Range Fuels
Range Fuels of Soperton, Georgia wanted to produce renewable fuels utilizing wood products from Georgia’s large southern pine forests. These products once provided feedstocks for the pulp and paper industry in the U.S., but that industry has moved overseas.
To accomplish the vision, Merrick & Company supported the early pilot plant testing, assisted with the operations of the next-generation testing, and engineered and designed all process systems for the first commercial cellulosic biofuels plant in the U.S.
Merrick’s multidisciplinary engineering services included process, mechanical, civil, structural, electrical, and instrumentation for all systems designed for the project. As of August 2010, the Soperton plant has produced cellulosic methanol from woody biomass and Merrick continues to provide technical support for plant operations.
This project’s cutting-edge technology and first-of-a-kind designs represents the challenging projects that supports Merrick’s prominence in the renewable fuels industry.
URS Corporation
"Dartmouth Dam Piano Key Weir Model Study”
Client: Goulburn-Murray Water/Murray Darling Basin Authority
A traditional solution was not going to be sufficient enough to increase the spillway capacity at Dartmouth Dam, the highest dam in Australia. Traditional upgrade options were developed to increase flood capacity of the 600 foot high dam, but construction and operational risks were of concern.
A rigorous alternative development study was conducted by URS to evaluate a range of spillway and dam upgrade options to safely pass the revised Probable Maximum Flood (or PMF). URS demonstrated innovation by recommending the Piano Key Weir, a relatively new spillway design with only a few built worldwide. The unique spillway provides increased capacity, passes the PMF and meets safety regulations. The Dartmouth Dam Piano Key Weir, when built, will be the highest in the world at 30 feet.
CH2M Hill
"Prairie Waters Project Peter Binney Facility"
Client: Aurora Water
The historic drought in 2002 and 2003 significantly affected the City of Aurora’s water supplies to the point where the City needed to ration water to ensure that basic needs could be met. The City identified the Prairie Waters Project as the fastest, most cost-effective and sustainable solution to the problem. The overall project uses renewable water rights from the South Platte River and a treatment process that allows the city to produce water that is indistinguishable from current supply, providing the quality that customers expect.
The Peter Binney Water Purification Facility is a state-of-art facility designed specifically to meet these goals. CH2M Hill was the designer for the treatment facility and the overall program manager. The Prairie Waters Project is the largest new water supply project to be completed in over three decades in Colorado.
To review the other ACEC/CO 2010-2011 EEA project photos and descriptions click here.
SAVE THE DATE for our Engineering Excellence Awards Workshop June 17, 2011.
CDOT to Hold Public Hearing on ESB Program Rules
The proposed changes to the Emerging Small Business Program Rules have been submitted to the Secretary of State and a public hearing has been scheduled for May 24, 2011 at CDOT Headquarters Auditorium at 1:00pm.
CDOT initiated this process because research conducted over the past two years has shown that the established ESB program is not creating the opportunities envisioned by the creators and needed by the small business community. In accordance with 24-4-103 (3) C.R.S, the Transportation Commission passed Resolution # TC-1964 dated March 17, 2011 which directed the CDOT Division of Human Resources and Administration (DOHRA) to begin the formal rulemaking process. A draft of the rules that have been published with the state can be found here under the ESB Program Changes tab.
ACEC/CO is requesting comments to submit at the hearing. Please forward yours to mar@acec-co.org.
National Director's Report
It has been a pretty quiet year in terms of voting items for the ACEC National Board. In October, the Board voted to change the wording of three of the Strategic Goals to the following:
- Strategic Goal #4: Grow ACEC/PAC to a $1 Million-Per-Year PAC by 2010 2015, While “Capturing the Influence of Our Most Politically Active Individual Members.”
- Strategic Goal #5: Grow the Minuteman Fund to Respond to Critical State Issues and Federal Appellate Cases While Maintaining a “War Chest” of $1 Million.
- Strategic Goal #6: Grow the Number of Member Firms by 2% Each Year, Grow the Number of Member Firm Employees by 3% Each Year, and Recruit 90% of the Eligible ENR Top 500 Design Firms as ACEC Members by 2010 2015.
In March, the Board voted to further modify Strategic Goal #5 to read …”a ‘War Chest’ of $2 Million by 2015.” As a reminder, Colorado benefited from the Minuteman Fund with a donation of $50,000 from ACEC to help defeat the Amendment 60, 61 and 101 ballot issues. Another success this year for the fund was the defense of the P3 delivery option in California. The state union had filed a motion for a permanent injunction on a P3 project. The national arm of ACEC has successes to report over the past year, and is continuing to work on other issues on our behalf:
- In conjunction with ASCE and APWA, ACEC launched a new organization – the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. The ISI is developing and will administer a new sustainability rating system. There will be many opportunities for member firms from this project, so be sure to keep an eye open for news in events in the Last Word.
- ACEC worked hard to get the 1099 requirement in the health care bill repealed. They have been successful in both the house and senate, and it now awaits the President’s signature.
- Current priorities include a long-term infrastructure funding bill, elimination of the 3% withholding requirement, and inclusion of QBS in FAA funding.
Be sure to check out the Last Word and Engineering, Inc., for updates on these issues, as well as information on other priorities in Washington.
By Lauren Evans, ACEC/CO National Director
General
- In a big win for the industry, after direct lobbying efforts at the Spring Convention, Congress approved legislation to repeal the 1099 filing mandate, with the President’s signature expected imminently.
- Secured 22 new cosponsors for 3% repeal legislation during last week’s Convention lobbying campaign.
- The large firm/small firm “teaming fair” at the convention opened the door for many firms to new contracting opportunities for federal work.
- Raised a record-breaking $140,000 for ACEC/PAC at the Annual Convention, contributing to a record-breaking first quarter PAC fundraising of $200,000; with ACEC/Wisconsin becoming the first MO to reach its 2011 fundraising goal.
- The new ACEC/APWA/ASCE-sponsored Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) launched its web site at www.sustainableinfrastructure.org; the new non-profit is developing a sustainable infrastructure rating tool called “envision”™, to be ready for trial use and comment in early summer.
- The annual EEA Gala was sold out; FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez participated in honoring the Grand Conceptor Award Winner – HDR/TYLin/Jacobs for the new Hoover Dam Bypass which included the longest arched concrete bridge in the Western Hemisphere (Complete EEA coverage will be in the May-June issue of
Engineering Inc.)
Government Affairs
- Outgoing Chair Jerry Stump testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on contracting-out and project delivery streamlining; many other ACEC members participated in committee field hearings throughout the country.
- Obtained extension of federal highway and transit programs through end of September with no reduction to current funding levels.
- Secured language in the House-passed FAA reauthorization bill encouraging use of QBS on airport projects financed with Passenger Facility Charges.
- Submitted comments to the IRS on the adverse impact of 3% withholding on payment card purchases.
- Urged House and Senate leaders to protect and maintain funding for federal water programs during ongoing budget negotiations.
- Hosted an industry fundraiser for Congressman Darrell Issa (CA), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has jurisdiction of federal procurement policy.
- The International Committee met with delegations from FIDIC, Canada, Korea, Nigeria, and FEPAC (Latin American engineering organization) on business opportunities and relations.
- Provided U.S. Commercial Service information on member firms interested in Japanese rebuilding efforts in aftermath of earthquake and tsunami; met with Australian Trade Commission to learn how U.S. firms can be involved with rebuilding activities resulting from the Queensland flooding.
Institute for Business Management
- Educational programs at the Spring Convention were filled to capacity including keynote presentations from Bob Woodward and AECOM CEO John Dionisio; and the Bookstore featured a book signing by Woodward.
- Recent blockbuster online seminars: Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Under the Fair Labor Standards Act: What Engineering Companies Need to Know; A/E/C Mergers and Acquisitions: Marriages of Necessity or Convenience?; FAR Overhead Rates: Gaining Fair Compensation under the New Policy; How Engineers Can Help American Towns Convert Diesel Fleets to Natural Gas.
- Bookstore released the 2010-2011 Industry Trends Survey with a 20% discount; also offered 20% off CASE products.
- March top sellers at the Bookstore: FAR Overhead Rates (archived webinar); EJCDC E-991: Engineer Subconsultant, Full Set; Megaprojects (ACEC Press); and Social Media Strategies for Professionals and Their Firms (Wiley).
- Added Solveras Payment Solutions as a new Member Discount partner offering reduced-fee credit card processing services.
- In First Quarter 2011, ten new education providers joined RCEP – including the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and Transportation Research Board, bringing the total to 76; and RCEP.net now holds PDH records for more than 14,000 professionals.
- ACEC’s Legal Counsel Forum celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Convention with 60 of its members attending, including several founding members.
By Dave Raymond, ACEC President
Membership Notices
|
David Evans and Associates Inc. celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. They have been in business since 1976.
This year marks Wright Water Engineers' 50th year in business. Engineer Kenneth Wright founded the company on May 1, 1961.
Olsson Associates recently announced its 55th anniversary.
Ralph W. Christie, Jr., PE, chair, president and CEO of Merrick & Company, has been named the 2011-2012 chair of the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) National Energy & Environment Committee.
Merrick & Company recently hired Kasey A. Brown as director of federal programs, geospatial solutions and Leonard R. Wilson, PE, as a civil infrastructure director. Seven additional engineers in the Martin/Martin Colorado and Wyoming offices have become licensed Professional Engineers: Geoff Burrell, PE; Jennifer Frank, PE; Ray Hill, PE; Jonathan Oltman, PE; and Ed Sabia, PE. Structural engineer Jeremy Tuck, PE, received his Wyoming Professional Engineer license while Derek Swanson, PE, SE, passed both the Wyoming Professional Engineer and Structural Engineer tests. Tuck and Swanson are part of Martin/Martin Wyoming, based in Cheyenne.
A building originally designed by the RMH Group recently received an Energy Star Label. Propp Realty's Golden Hill Office Center received a 99 Energy Star rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. An Energy Star-labeled building is one that can demonstrate energy performance of at least 50 percent better than an average facility of its type, provided it meets or exceeds industry standards for comfort and operability. The facility's performance is in the top 2 percent of all buildings of its type in the country.
Martin/Martin, Inc. recently promoted the following staff members in the structural and civil engineering departments: Shane McCormick, PE, SE, and Chris D’Ascanio, PE, are now both associates.
Stantec named Mike Gill Jr. senior project manager in its Denver transportation planning and traffic engineering practice.
Beaudin Ganze Consulting Engineers Inc. hired mechanical engineer Shane Newman.
ACEC/CO Events
|
Additional Professional Development Opportunities and Events
EPA Region 8 Climate Change Speaker Series
"Climate Change: Science vs. Skeptics" Dr. Chuck Kutscher from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), will debunk some of the most common arguments made by climate change skeptics in an entertaining way using the latest scientific information. This event is free and open to the public on Monday, April 25, 11:30 - 12:30 p.m., at the EPA Region 8 Conference Center, 1595 Wynkoop St., Denver. RSVP to farris.laura@epa.gov.
Opportunities for Colorado Green Companies in Brazil
By 2050, Brazil will be the fifth largest economy in the world. The National Chamber Foundation-Trade Roots and the Brazil-U.S. Business Council believe that Brazil offers a compelling target market for the Department of Commerce Market Development Cooperator Program's efforts to increase small and medium-sized exporter opportunities. The country's rapid economic growth, constantly increasing demand for U.S. imports, favorable political climate, and positive demographic trends make Brazil an attractive market.
Join the World Trade Center Denver, the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, the OEDIT and other Colorado green technology companies to learn about opportunities for your business in Brazil followed by a panel of local companies active in the Brazil market.
This event is Tuesday, May 3, 1:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1445 Market Street, #500. Register by clicking here