President's State Of The Union Touches Upon Several ACEC Priorities President Bush's State of the Union address focused on international issues and fiscal discipline, as well as a range of issues that are on ACEC's agenda such as tort reform, controlling health care costs, tax code changes, energy development, and promotion of math and science education. Warning that "America is addicted to oil", the President called for increased support for nuclear, coal, new sources of ethanol-based fuels, and other alternative forms of energy. Many of those initiatives already have been addressed in the energy package signed into law last year, although Congress must follow through with the necessary funding. The President also noted the high costs associated with lawsuit abuse, and urged Congress to pass legislation to curb runaway medical malpractice awards that drive up health insurance premiums for businesses. The House has already passed a medical liability reform bill (HR 534). The Senate has yet to act on the package. On the tax front, Bush urged Congress to permanently extend reductions in capitol gains tax rates and the estate tax reforms that were enacted in 2001 (and set to expire in 2008 and 2010 respectively). Finally, the President proposed a new American Competitiveness Initiative that commits $5.9 billion in 2007 to significantly increase funding for research in the physical sciences and engineering. The plan also includes new resources to recruit and train new teachers to teach advanced placement math and science courses. Newly-elected Virginia Governor Tim Kaine provided the Democrat response, which included references to the need for more infrastructure investment.

Hollywood Veteran Wil Shriner To Host 2006 EEA Gala Wil Shriner, host of ACEC's 40th EEA Gala in May. Wil Shriner, noted actor, director and comedian will host ACEC's 40th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala, Tuesday, May 2, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington. Shriner has numerous television directing credits including episodes of NBC's Frasier; CBS's Becker; ABC's My Wife and Kids, and the WB's Raising Dad, Norm, Married to the Kellys, Two Guys and a Girl, Ladies Man, along with the season finale of Everybody Loves Raymond. He has appeared in several movies including the Oscar-nominated Peggy Sue Got Married, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The black-tie Gala, known industry-wide as the "Academy Awards" of engineering, will recognize 163 engineering achievements from across the nation. Twenty four projects will be honored for special achievement—including the "Grand Conceptor Award" for the best overall engineering effort. In addition to the EEA Gala, the Convention features top notch speakers, cutting-edge education sessions, a range of political activities, and many unique social events. Click here to view Convention registration information. Register online by March 31 and receive an additional 5 percent off the registration fee. (This discount applies only to online member and non-member registrants and cannot be combined with any other discounts.)

ACEC International Committee Briefs USAID On QBS, Procurement Issues Ron Zitterkopf, VP of Black & Veatch The ACEC International Committee recently briefed officials of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on QBS and other procurement subjects. "Engineering services are critical to USAID's mission, and the agency greatly appreciates ACEC providing valuable insight into engineering procurement and how engineers do their job," said Mike Walsh, USAID's director of the Office of Acquisition and Assistance. The two-hour briefing before 50 USAID contract officers and procurement officials, was the first in a series of training sessions the agency will provide for its employees. Ann Cataldo, USAID's chief of acquisition policy, who helped launch the program, said it focused on how engineering services are best applied in support of USAID's mission. USAID has major ongoing infrastructure programs in Afghanistan and Iraq, and is engaged in infrastructure development in much of the developing world. Former ACEC Chairman Bill Howard of CDM and Ron Zitterkopf, vice president of Black & Veatch, provided agency officials a practitioner's view of procurement and project delivery issues; Don Evick, recently retired from the Corps of Engineers, briefed the group on FAR Part 36, and Tom McNulty, ACEC director of international programs, discussed the scope of engineering services. As international development agencies place a renewed emphasis on infrastructure development, ACEC is focused on coordination with these agencies to ensure that engineering concerns are properly addressed.

ACEC Prompts Payment Provision Change In EJCDC/Geotechnical Agreement John Bachner, ASFE Executive Vice President The Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC), at the behest of ACEC, has modified payment terms in the engineer-geotechnical subconsultant contract. According to Ed Bajer, director of ACEC Coalitions, the new terms call for the engineer to pay the geotechnical consultant's invoices within ten days of the owner paying the engineer. If the owner does not pay for some reason, the engineer would have to pay the geotechnical engineer within 90 days, unless the amounts due were in dispute or if the two parties agreed to some other arrangement. Bajer said that a previously proposed pay-if-paid provision would have allowed the engineer to withhold payment from the geotechnical engineer if the owner did not pay because of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or similar circumstances. Such pay-if-paid provisions go against public policy in several states—including New York and California. ASFE, which comprises some 300 firms that provide geotechnical services, voiced concern to ACEC about EJCDC's original proposal. Many ACEC members are also members of ASFE. According to ASFE Executive Vice President John Bachner, "We are grateful for ACEC's response to the situation. It recognized the problem and took decisive, responsible action on behalf of all its members." EJCDC will incorporate the new payment terms in its other engineer-consultant agreements affecting architects, surveyors, and other subconsultants. The new EJCDC models should be ready for use in about a month. Contact the ACEC publications department (www.acec.org/publications) at that time for availability.

ACEC Members Eligible For Discounted Registration At Upcoming TISP Conference The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) will hold its 5th Annual Congress on Infrastructure Security for the Built Environment (ISBE 2006) on February 15-17, 2006 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. ACEC is a founding member of TISP, which was created following the events of September 11 to offer technical support and comment on public policy related to the security of the nation's built environment. ACEC members are eligible for a discounted conference registration rate of $395.00. The 2006 conference includes panel discussions and keynote presentations by top officials from the White House, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Congress, the intelligence community, industry, government, and academia. The program also will feature a national perspective on critical infrastructure resilience through the integration of physical, cyber, and operational infrastructures and will focus on policy and planning, preparedness, response, and recovery issues. TISP membership currently includes more than 180 organizations, representing more than two million individuals and firms involved in the planning, design, construction, and operation of the nation's critical infrastructure. To register as a TISP member and receive the discounted rate, or for further information, click here to visit the Conference website.

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