ACEC Unveils New Enhanced Website ACEC introduced its new website this week, featuring a completely redesigned appearance and significantly enhanced functionality. The new site possesses a more organized and contemporary look, with an improved navigation menu at the top and left hand side of each page. The search function has been upgraded, and the site map revised. Bart Patton, COO for Kleinfelder said: "I visited the ACEC website this week in search of Fall Conference information, and discovered that the site had been completely revamped. The new website is much easier to navigate and much more user-friendly." Although the new site is 100% operational, the complete upgrading of the website will be an ongoing process as further improvements to all website sections are planned. Visit the new website at www.acec.org. For more information about the website, contact Ann Brandstadter, abrandstadter@acec.org.

Senate Falls Short On Small Business Health Plan Legislation; ACEC Assures "Fight Not Over" Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY): Exploring options to reintroduce legislation. Senate supporters of Small Business Health Plan legislation are evaluating their next steps following a setback late last week on the Senate floor. A majority of the Senate voted in favor of proceeding with consideration of the ACEC-supported Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act, S. 1955, but the 55-43 vote fell just short of the 60 votes needed to proceed with debate and a final vote. Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY), the bill's sponsor, is currently exploring with Senate leadership the possibility of bringing his legislation back to the Senate floor later in the session. Click here to see how each Senator voted on this legislation. The legislation would streamline state regulations and better enable businesses to band together across state lines through trade associations such as ACEC, to achieve greater economies of scale, purchasing clout, and administrative efficiency when purchasing health insurance. ACEC has been strongly supportive of the legislation because it would enhance the ability of engineering firms to secure affordable health insurance plans through the Council's Life/Health Insurance Trust. ACEC's "citizen lobbyists" converged on House and Senate offices in support of Small Business Health Plan legislation during the Annual Convention and Legislative Summit earlier this month. The House has already passed a similar bill, and supporters point to the fact that the Senate vote represents the first time in over a decade the legislation has made it to the Senate floor for consideration. "We've always known that it would be a long fight to get this legislation through the Senate, but we're getting closer," said ACEC President Dave Raymond. "The Senate vote is just one battle. The fight is not over."

NAE's Wulf, Duke Professor Wadhwa To Hold ACEC Seminar On Engineer Shortage Dr. William Wulf National Academy of Engineering President Dr. William Wulf and Duke University Engineering Professor Vivek Wadhwa will participate in an special ACEC online seminar on Thursday, May 25 to discuss challenges resulting from the current shortage of engineers. "Thirty to forty percent of the Duke University Master of Engineering students accept jobs outside of the engineering profession," says Wadhwa, of the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering. In testimony this week before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Washwa said that the U.S. needs to significantly increase its investment in education, to improve the country's science and math curriculum in K-12, and to find ways to get engineering graduates to stay within the engineering professions. Wulf has frequently raised concerns about the commitment of political leaders to redress issues that will perpetuate the U.S. technology advantage. The Academy's recent study Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Future, pointed out challenges facing American universities and research organizations. Click here to register for this important seminar. Further information is available by contacting lmakonnen@acec.org.

2006 QBS Grant Program Launched Lester Fukuda ACEC is launching its Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Grant Program for 2006 to assist the states with their efforts to promote the use of QBS. Each State Member Organization received applications by email on May 15. Responses are due back to ACEC by August 11. The grant program began in 1989 to assist states in the creation of programs and materials that are instrumental in familiarizing public owners with the advantages of QBS, and broadening the use of QBS among state and local agencies. To date, over $400,000 has been disbursed to the states through the ACEC QBS Grant Program. This year, ACEC is joined by the American Public Works Association (APWA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to establish a grant pool of $25,000. "With the expansion of QBS at the local level becoming a focus for many states, the grant program continues to provide an excellent funding resource for the development of educational and grassroots materials," said Lester Fukuda of Hawaii Pacific Engineers, and one of the grant program coordinators. "In addition, it brings our industry partners together at the state level to work towards the common goal of QBS expansion." Click here for more information about the QBS Grant Program and for a grant application.

Convention "Expectations Of Perfection" Papers Now Available On ACEC Website In a packed educational session at the 2006 ACEC Annual Convention, representatives of the Risk Management Committee presented their latest papers on the disturbing trend towards client expectations of perfection in engineering services, and what ACEC and its members can do about the problem. These papers can now be viewed on the ACEC website by clicking here. ACEC will provide education and resources on this growing issue of concern on an ongoing basis.

BDC Early Bird Deadline Extended To May 26 Business of Design Consulting June 14-17, Minneapolis, MN Take advantage of this special offer and register now for the next Business of Design Consulting, ACEC's flagship program for 21st century design firms. This intensive multi-day course offers engineering leaders in-depth training in eight different management areas, and features interactive workshops, extensive discussion and application exercises. Fees before May 26: Members $1,395/non-members $1,595 Fees on or after May 26: Members $1,595/non-members $1,795 Click here to register and for more information.

Project Management For Project Leaders—An Innovative Two-Day Workshop Project Management For Project Leaders June 14-15       Evanston, IL Co-sponsored by ACEC and Northwestern University As a critical component in every successful job, project managers must possess strong leadership skills, technical acumen, and effective collaboration techniques. This workshop's core curriculum includes: Project Manager's Role Client Relations Building Your Team Accounting For Project Profitability Registration: Members $895/non-members $1,095 Late Registration after May 26: Members $995/non-members $1,195 PDHs: 15 Click here to register and for more information.

New Building Information Modeling Seminar Building Information Modeling: An Introduction for Practicing Structural Engineers June 22       Chicago, IL Does your firm have a plan for the transition to Building Information Modeling (BIM)? The Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE) and The Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) will offer a special half-day seminar to provide valuable insights into Building Information Modeling technology. The seminar will focus on how structural engineering firms can benefit from this emerging technology by reviewing the BIM concept, how many firms have adopted the new information processing tool, and latest available software. Hear directly from practitioners using BIMs on real projects as they share what has worked well and what software has not worked as well. Attendees also will gain knowledge of how firms can address client requests for BIM collaboration. "More and more frequently architects are using BIM. Engineers need to start understanding how this will impact their practice and process," says James C. Parker, program organizer and principal with Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger. Registration price is $149. Click here for more information, or contact Kerri Carpenter at kcarpenter@acec.org or 202-347-7474.

Upcoming Online Seminars May 23: New Trends in ESOPs: S-Corporation Engineering Firms James G. Steiker, Esq., SES Advisors, Inc. Click here to register and for more information. May 24: Beyond the Candidate Interview—Assessment and Screening Tools Greg Churchman, Churchman Consulting Solutions Click here to register and for more information. May 31: The Faces of Leadership Scott W. Braley, Braley Consulting & Training Click here to register and for more information.

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