ACEC-Backed Legislation to Repeal 3 Percent Withholding Introduced In the House Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL), bill co-sponsor Legislation to repeal an onerous tax withholding requirement for all government contracts and payments was introduced in the House this week by Congressmen Kendrick Meek (D-FL) and Wally Herger (R-CA). The Meek/Herger bill (H.R. 1023) would repeal Section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, which is a sweeping new requirement mandating that federal, state and local governments that spend $100 million or more annually withhold 3 percent from payments for goods and services. The withholding mandate is scheduled to take effect in 2011 and covers all government contracts as well as any payment to any person for a service or product provided to a government entity.

Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA), bill co-sponsor "This is one of the most inherently unfair pieces of legislation to come along and we will aggressively fight to see that it is killed," said ACEC President Dave Raymond. ACEC is working with a broad coalition and actively lobbying Congress to pass the real bill. Passage of this legislation will also be a major goal for ACEC's "citizen lobbyists" during the Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. Click here to view ACEC's endorsement letter to Congressmen Meek, and click here for information on how to register for the Convention and participate in the lobbying effort.

Media Personalities Chris Matthews, George Will At Upcoming Annual Convention Hardball's Chris Matthews With the presidential primaries now less than a year away, attendees at the upcoming ACEC Annual Convention May 6-9 in Washington will be treated with compelling perspectives from two of the nation's most respected political analysts—Chris Matthews and George Will. Political Analyst George Will Matthews, the popular host of the nightly talk show Hardball with Chris Matthews, will present his "in your face" viewpoint on the election and other national issues during the Convention's Opening General Session on Monday May 7. Will, the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and TV political analyst will deliver his view on the current election landscape during the Convention's Keynote Luncheon later that day. Other Convention highlights include a special "State Dinner" developed by former White House Chef Walter Scheib, on Sunday May 6; the 41st Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on Tuesday May 8; along with timely education sessions on business management and technology; and outstanding social and networking activities. Easy Convention registration is available by clicking here. Register online and receive an additional 5 percent off the published price*. Bring two people from your firm and receive an even greater registration discount! Make your hotel reservations early by contacting the Grand Hyatt Hotel at 202-582-1234. Reference ACEC and receive the discounted room rate of $245 plus tax. ACEC's discounted room rates are available through April 17 or until the rooms in the block are gone, whichever occurs first. Further information is available by contacting meetings@acec.org or by calling 202-347-7474. * Does not apply to 2nd member price and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Early Bird Deadline Nears—Register Now For Leveraging the Design-Build Trend Leveraging the Design-Build Trend: How Engineering Firms Can Profit from Integrated Delivery March 29-30, Washington, D.C. ACEC will debut a new two-day course—Leveraging the Design-Build Trend: How Engineering Firms Can Profit from Integrated Delivery—at its Washington, D.C. headquarters. Designed by engineering professionals for engineers, this course addresses an array of vital integrated delivery topics including: Why owners are using design-build on specific projects Keys to writing design-build performance requirements Identifying and resolving key contracting risk issues The most profitable phases of design-build delivery The early bird deadline to register for the lowest rates is Friday, March 9. Click here for details and to register.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Course To Examine Concept, Technology, Applications Building Information Modeling (BIM) The Promise and The Reality for A/E/C Firms June 7-8, Philadelphia This intensive course features the innovators who are collaboratively transforming BIM—the exciting, multi-dimensional project planning and design concept—into reality. The course will examine the BIM model, present real-life BIM case studies by engineering firms, examine the technology, and outline legal issues and risks associated with BIM. Click here for details and to register.

Online Seminar Explores Government Contract Law, From Identification To Handling Audits Unallowable Costs: Government Contract Law for Non-Lawyers March 6, 1:30-3pm This seminar addresses several important requirements that every firm should understand regarding A/E service contracts funded by federal highway dollars. Presented by David B. Dempsey, a partner in the law firm of Holland & Knight. Click here for details and to register.

Online Seminar Looks at New Paradigm for Satisfying Clients Value Management: A New Paradigm for Measuring Project Management March 7, 1:30-3pm This seminar discusses today's client expectations, and reviews new methods for project managers to meet this demand. Moderated by Glenn Bell, of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc., the program will emphasize how added value can be applied to maximize client satisfaction for bottom line results. Click here for details and to register.

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