Vol. XXIV, Number 28
August 1, 2003
1015 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-7474
Fax 202-898-0068
www.acec.org
E-mail acec@acec.org
Alan D. Crockett, Director, PR
Ann Brandstadter,
Editor/Designer

ACEC Means
Business

Enter ACEC’s Big Hawaiian Giveaway

Don’t miss your chance to win an eight-day vacation for two, which includes airfare and accommodations from the luxurious Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu!

For contest details click here.

News On Peer Reviews

The Peer Review program is an excellent tool for growth and new ideas.

ACEC member Jeff Elliott of E&A Consulting Group in Omaha, Nebraska says, “The Peer Review process was very good for our company. It identified and brought to the surface many issues that needed to be dealt with for a number of years.”

Experience the benefits of the Peer Review Program by registering today. Contact Kevin Wilson at 202.347.7474 or peerreview@acec.org. Make your good firm great!

Project Management Seminar Offered

Become a better project manager with six 30-minute lessons in ZweigWhite’s “Successful Project Management for A/E/P & Environmental Consulting Firms” video seminar.

This seminar provides exactly what project managers need — information on meeting schedules and budgets, managing and motivating staff, client maintenance, time management, fee negotiation and more.

Whether you’re an experienced project manager or a novice, you’ll learn new ideas and tools you can use every day. $395 for 6 VHS cassette tapes.

For more information and to order click here.

20% Off Publications In August

August discount allows you to save on four of ACEC’s most popular publications.

Click here for details on ACEC’s August promotion and to order any of the following titles for a savings of 20 percent!

  • Wired! How to Crawl Inside Your Client’s Mind for Success in Business Development

  • Marketing in the 21st Century for Design Professionals

  • Financial Management for Design Firms: Guidelines to Practice

  • Effective Computer Systems Management

    There’s Still Time To Experience The Boston Convention

    ACEC has available for sale a limited number of 2003 ACEC Annual Convention Compendiums.

    The Compendiums include complete audio recordings of the Boston Convention: $310 for audio cassettes, $430 for CDs and $214 for MP3’s.

    For those who did not attend the Boston convention, this is a valuable opportunity to benefit from the depth and variety of educational opportunities presented in Boston.

    To order this package, please contact Anna-Jane Zarndt at (202) 347-7474.

    Director Sought To Lead ACEC’s Innovative Institute For Business Management

    The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) has a unique career challenge for a talented continuing education professional. ACEC seeks a Director for its recently-launched Institute for Business Management. This is a ground floor opportunity to lead the design and implementation of the association’s new “university.”

    The selected individual will provide leadership and hands-on active involvement in the design and delivery of both in-person and distance learning in a variety of management skills/competency areas including Business Management, Human Resources, Finance, and Marketing.

    Experience in the design and implementation of curriculum-based educational programs in business management is essential. A minimum of 10 years of experience in continuing education with specific experience in distance and web-based learning is necessary for consideration. Strong organizational and management skills, experience in the use of assessment instruments (group and individual), political and business savvy, and outstanding communication skills are required. Availability for occasional overnight travel is expected. A background in engineering and association management would be a plus.

    To explore this opportunity, send resume to David A. Raymond, President — president@acec.org.

    		•  
    South Carolina Is #46: Senator Graham Extolls Name Change


    Peter Strub, ACEC national director from South Carolina
    Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
    The momentum towards “one army, one uniform” continues as South Carolina is now the 46th MO to adopt the ACEC name, becoming the American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina.

    Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) greeted the news with satisfaction.“I’m pleased to hear the South Carolina state organization is now ACEC of South Carolina. ACEC is well known on Capitol Hill. By adopting the common name, engineering firms in my state will take full advantage of the association with the national organization.”

    The South Carolina lawmaker has worked with ACEC for several years on changing outdated Fair Labor Standards Act guidelines.

    South Carolina’s National Director Peter Strub said: “The unanimous decision of the membership of South Carolina to change the name to ACEC of South Carolina reinforces the political strength of our state organization as well as the national federation.”

    George Fletcher, president of ACEC/South Carolina said: “The Consulting Engineers of South Carolina (CESC) had a strong and positive name recognition around the state. Given this positive image, and the fact that South Carolinians are inclined to oppose any national mandates, we knew it would be a battle. However, an overwhelming majority of our members now believe that engineering companies nationwide should establish a common identity, and we are proud to be the 46th state to accept the new name. I want to sincerely thank our Board of Directors for their efforts in selling the change to our members."

    AIR-21 Reauthorization Bill Cleared by Conferees

    House and Senate conferees have cleared a $62.1 billion bill (H.R. 2115) to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration over the next four years. Titled “Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act,” the measure increases Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for aviation infrastructure projects from the current level of $3.4 billion to $3.7 billion in the last year of the bill.

    The bill also contains several ACEC-supported provisions to streamline the environmental review process for airport expansion and runway projects, including designating the Department of Transportation as the lead agency and requiring federal and state agencies to concurrently conduct reviews.

    The bill still needs to be approved by the full House and Senate, which could take place when Congress reconvenes in September. While this bill typically receives broad bipartisan support, some Democrats are angry over provisions that would allow for the privatization of some FAA positions. Republicans are confident that they have the votes to pass the measure.

    House Committee Passes F.Y. 2004 Transportation Spending Bill

    The House Appropriations Committee has approved the F.Y. 2004 Transportation/Treasury spending bill which increases highway funding and restores cuts that were made previously to transit and Amtrak spending.

    Under the full committee bill, spending for highways would increase from the $31.6 billion F.Y. 2003 level to $33.8 billion. The Transportation/Treasury Appropriations Subcommittee had originally approved $34.5 billion in spending—however, funding was reduced in order to restore cuts to transit new starts and Amtrak.

    The bill will be considered by the full House in September. The Senate Appropriations Committee is also expected to consider its version in September.

    Corps Of Engineers Details Budget, Business Opportunites At July Market Forecast Meeting


    The Corps of Engineers’ Donald Basham at the July Market Forecast Meeting at ACEC headquarters.
    More than $1 billion in engineering contracts are earmarked in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers F.Y. 2003 budget. The $1 billion is part of nearly $10 billion in design and construction projects, says Donald Basham, chief of engineering and construction and 35-year veteran at the Corps.

    Of the Corps’ $14-billion budget for F.Y. ’03, approximately $8B is allocated to its military construction program (MILCON), where the Civil Works program is funded at about $4.6B, Basham said.
     

    The Corps’ $8 billion budget for its MILCON program includes about $655 million for engineering services, of which about 75 percent is contracted to the private sector. This figure also includes major construction for the Air Force, such as air-fields, barracks, and training facilities.

    Under the Civil works program, which has a budget of $4.6B (see chart), Basham stated that “slightly more than 50 percent of the planning and engineering work for the Civil Works program is outsourced to private architecture and engineering firms, which equates to about $500 million in fees.”

    Basham also talked extensively about Iraq, detailing how the Corps serves as the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) government engineer, providing technical contract oversight services.

    For information on business opportunities, please visit www.fedbizopps.gov.

    FCC Issues “Do Not Fax” Rules

    The Federal Communications Commission has issued rules that will impose new restrictions on faxing by ACEC, the Member Organizations, member firms, and other groups. Under the new rules, which go into effect on August 25, before any person or entity may send faxes containing “unsolicited advertisements,” a signed, written consent to fax must be received from the intended recipient. “Unsolicited advertisements” are defined as “any material advertising the commercial availability or quality of any property, goods, or services.”

    Certain types of faxes may be exempt from the new rules, including legislative alerts, surveys, and notices of meetings and elections, but this is not yet clear. However, any fax that combines “exempt” content with “non-exempt” content would require the prior written and signed consent of the intended recipient before the fax could be sent.

    ACEC recommends that the M.O.s, affinity partners, and the member firms review their present faxing practices, and where possible reduce or eliminate the use of faxing that would be subject to the new FCC rules.

    The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), which includes many ACEC M.O. Executive Directors as members, has submitted petitions for a reconsideration and a stay of the FCC fax rules. ASAE also is lobbying Congress and the Executive branch about the harmful economic effects and unintended consequences that will arise if the new rules are implemented. Information on ASAE’s petitions and additional resources on the new FCC rules can be viewed on ASAE’s Web site by clicking here.

    Tee It Up Like A Pro At ACEC Fall Conference In Phoenix

    Please join us during ACEC’s Fall Conference in Phoenix for the ACEC/PAC Golf Tournament on Saturday, October 11, at the Nick Faldo-designed Wildfire championship golf course. The par 71 layout sits on a 174-acre site, features generous fairways, large bent grass greens and tee boxes. The surrounding mountains, century-old saguaros, and 106 sand bunkers, reminiscent of the Australian sand belt courses, provide a spectacular setting for the golf course and guests.

    Other ACEC/PAC fundraising activities include a silent auction, fly fishing, a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio, and a sweepstakes drawing.

    For more information regarding ACEC/PAC events, contact Lorna O’Hara at lohara@acec.org. Click here for conference, hotel, travel and registration details.

    Upcoming Forums: Be Sure To Join Us!

    “Ownership Transition”
    This forum will provide you with the tools for a successful ownership transition. Click here to register.

      August 26-29   —   Santa Barbara, Calif.
    “The Next Level: Planned Growth and Sustainable Success For Your Firm”
    This workshop covers the strategies necessary to sustain success and high performance by providing you with specific tools and techniques to utilize in your firm. Click here to register.
      September 16   —   Washington, D.C
    “Marketing: Raising the Bar”
    Co-Sponsored by The Society For Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)
    From researching new prospects to maintaining excellent client relations, three interactive marketing workshops will teach you how to:
    • Analyze industry trends to develop new tools and processes for business development.
    • Emphasize the marketing function throughout your firm. Make every employee a marketer!
    • Apply new methods to enhance current relationships and ensure repeat business with satisfied clients.
    • Develop a working plan to position your firm for consistent new business.
      September 17-18   —   San Francisco

    SmartPro’s Project Management For Engineers

    “Project Management for Engineers” is a 35-hour interactive project management course that contains over 61 individual learning modules in 11 subject areas from budgeting and planning, to project accounting and finance, to contracts and procurement. The course provides 35 Ph.D credits.

    ACEC, through a special arrangement with SmartPro’s is offering this course at a significant discount. You can get the entire course for just $695. To order click here.


    Click here to review past editions of the Last Word.