ACEC Addresses Looming Federal Security Clearance Problem ACEC Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Bill Wolfe ACEC and its industry allies are seeking to head off a looming problem involving a new federal policy requiring security clearances for all government work. Under a Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12), all federal agencies will be required to have a new government-wide standard in place for identifying federal employees and contractors by October of 2007. As part of this effort, all government contractors and contractor employees must undergo minimum security background screenings. ACEC has raised concerns over the current backlog in the security clearance process, especially where contractors have waited two or more years to have their clearances processed. It is estimated that there are approximately 30,000 backlogged applications as of this year. With the HSPD-12, this backlog is expected to increase significantly. ACEC has met the Office of Personnel Management as well as the Department of Defense, and General Accounting Office (GAO) on the industry's concern. The Council also has briefed the House Government Reform Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "If engineering firm employees cannot have background checks processed in a timely manner, our ability to compete for and carry out work for federal agencies is severely compromised," said Bill Wolfe of Edwards & Kelcey, Inc., and chairman of ACEC's Homeland Security Subcommittee. ACEC will continue to work and monitor this issue until it has been resolved. Click here for a copy of HSPD-12.

Upcoming ACEC Seminars To Feature Israeli Security Expert; Corps of Engineers ACEC's Homeland Security Subcommittee will host a lunch briefing with Zalman Enav, a noted Israeli security expert from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, September 7 at ACEC Headquarters. Enav is an international leader in security design and construction. His projects include military bases and hospitals worldwide, in addition to the private residences of former Israeli military leader Moshe Dayan, former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and former Ethopian Emperor Haile Sellasie. At the briefing he will address terrorism-related issues relative to physical structures, cost effectiveness and regional versus individual facility protection. The cost of the lunch is $15.00. Members interested in attending should contact Erin Lehner at elehner@acec.org by Tuesday, September 5, 2006. Additionally, Pete Luisa, chief of Civil Works Program Development at the Corps of Engineers, will discuss the Corps F.Y. 2007 budget, including opportunities for engineers at the next Market Forecast Series event, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, September 14, 2006. The discussion will also focus on the Corps initial construction plans for 2008, and its five-year development plan. Attendees can either enjoy lunch at ACEC headquarters in Washington, D.C., at 12 noon followed by the program, or take in the online interactive program at their desktop. To register for the Market Forecast Series event click here.

Engineering for Safety and Security Highlights ACEC/Colorado State University Courses ACEC in partnership with Colorado State University is offering customized one and two-day courses covering important A/E/C topics, for which PDHs will be awarded. Now open for registration at early bird prices are the following courses at Colorado State University's Denver Center: Oct. 19-20, 2006—Engineering for Safety and Security: Preparing the Built Environment for Natural and Human-Caused Threats Nov. 9, 2006—Contracts and Project Risk Management: New Proactive Approaches Nov. 10, 2006—Introduction to Project Scheduling: Software Applications Registration Fees Early bird: $495 for single day course; $895 for two-day/combined Nov. 9 & 10 courses. Regular: $595 for single day; $995 for two-day/combined Nov. 9 & 10 courses. For details and to register, click here. Colorado State University has been authorized as a "Registered Provider" under the new NCEES recp.net Continuing Education for Engineering Professionals program.

Upcoming Webinars Wed., September 6— A Systematic Approach to Hiring, Greg Churchman, Churchman Consulting Solutions. Click here for more information and to register. Tues., September 12 — How to Plan Your Project More Effectively, Gary Bates, Roenker Bates Group. Click here for more information and to register. Click here for a complete listing of Webinars and to register.

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