Powerful Fall Conference Speaker Line-up Wally "Famous" Amos David Billington Gary Wendt Wally "Famous" Amos, the father of the gourmet chocolate chip cookie industry, will talk about his experiences creating and managing several businesses as he opens ACEC's National Conference on the Built Environment, September 26-29 at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui. David Billington, one of the world's most distinguished structural engineers, will speak on the scientific, social, and artistic aspects of large-scale structures. Gary Wendt, a creative and path-breaking engineer who revolutionized the financial services industry will identify some of the key trends and opportunities in today's marketplace, focusing on how engineering firms can best take advantage of globalization. Other Conference highlights include over 30 education sessions focusing on the latest business trends, the 20th anniversary banquet and celebration of the Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE), an expanded trade show, and extraordinary networking and social activities. Early registrations for the Conference are at an all-time high, but there is still space available at both the Grand Wailea Resort and at the nearby Fairmont Kea Lani. Easy Conference registration is available by clicking here. Early Bird registration discount ends on August 25. Further information is available by contacting meetings@acec.org or by calling 202-347-7474.

Important Life/Health Trust Update: Letter From Trust Chairman M.W. Springstead Dear ACEC Life/Health Trust Participant: The ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust recently alerted participating firms to a change in health care providers. UnitedHealthcare will replace Trustmark and HeathPlan Services as of August 1, 2007. Participating firms should have already received a complete packet of information including enrollment forms from United. In order to make this transition as easy as possible, here are some additional points you should be aware of: It is vital that enrollment forms be returned as quickly as possible in order to ensure the smoothest possible transition to the new plan. If you haven't received your enrollment form, call United at 1-800-573-0415. All firms insured under the ACEC Life/Health Trust will be covered on August 1 regardless of short-term conversion issues, absence of completed paperwork, or inaccurate data transfers. Premiums will remain the same and will not change until the next anniversary date, i.e., August 1, 2008, provided the plan package remains the same throughout this period. All deductible totals of your previous coverage will be carried forward to United—enrollees will not have to start over. All "pre-existing conditions" will be covered. Once you have submitted your enrollment form, if any employees using UnitedHealthcare medical products need ID cards before United mails them to you, temporary ID cards can be downloaded from the United website. The appropriate links will be sent to you when available. As it has been in the past, coverage varies based on location. Webinars will be held by the Trust to assist in the transition. Click here for dates and times. Click here for answers to frequently asked questions. Click here to view the Trust website. Phone contact for the transition to United is 1-800-573-0415. Contact information for Pat Feyen, the Executive Vice President of the Trust, is pat@feyengroup.com or by phone at 1-972-370-9480. Thank you for your participation in the ACEC Life/Health Trust program. Mr. Michael W. Springstead, P.E. Chairman ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust

House Committee Pushes Back 3 Percent Mandate In First Step Toward Repeal Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL) Reflecting growing support for the ACEC-led campaign to repeal the 3 percent withholding mandate for government contracts, the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee this week took a first step by passing legislation that pushes back the implementation of the withholding mandate to 2012 and requires a report on the impact of the mandate. While the Committee stopped short of adopting an outright repeal of the withholding requirement, members of both parties made it clear that a full repeal remains the principle goal. "The momentum is building toward complete repeal of this unfair 3 percent withholding tax provision," said Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL), the sponsor of the House repeal legislation (H.R. 1023) and a member of the committee. "We are one step closer to achieving full repeal." The language delaying implementation of the withholding mandate was included in a larger tax enforcement measure (H.R. 3056). As adopted by the committee, the bill also directs the Treasury Department to report to Congress on the impact of the withholding mandate on businesses and state and local government.

ACEC Hosts Senator Inhofe, Strong Protector Of Private Sector Senator James Inhofe (right) with ACEC President Dave Raymond at an engineering industry fundraiser this week at ACEC. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the senior Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, was hosted for a fundraiser at ACEC headquarters this week. The Senator was lauded for his commitment to investing in the nation's infrastructure, and for his strong support of the private sector. "Jim Inhofe is a close friend of our industry," said ACEC President Dave Raymond. "He's stood with us in many fights in the past, and we're pleased to stand up for him as he faces a challenging re-election fight next year." Inhofe has played a critical role in the passage of several key infrastructure bills in recent years, including SAFETEA LU. He also has been a strong advocate for boosting the nation's investment in water infrastructure. He has worked closely with ACEC to address critical industry issues, including legislation to prevent arbitrary caps on company overhead for transportation projects and expanding the use of Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS). In just the past week, Inhofe worked closely with ACEC to oppose a last minute effort to weaken the Thomas Amendment in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Adopted in 2000 and named after the late Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY), the amendment curtails the Corps of Engineers from competing with the private sector. "Senator Inhofe values the role of the private sector in delivering engineering services to the public," said ACEC/Oklahoma Chairman Darold Davis of Garver Engineers in Tulsa. "He knows that the best way to get projects done is to let us do the work, and that's a belief he's had throughout his public service career."

ACEC Minuteman Fund Supports Cases In New York, Oregon The ACEC Minuteman Fund has awarded grants to ACEC/New York and ACEC/Oregon to help defray the legal costs of amicus briefs that the two Member Organizations have filed with appellate courts to defend issues critical to the engineering industry. ACEC/New York has filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in response to lawsuits filed against engineering firms in connection with their services at Ground Zero after the World Trade Center attacks. ACEC is arguing that firms responding on the government’s behalf to an emergency situation should have immunity from tort liability for their work. ACEC/Oregon has filed an amicus brief with its state Supreme Court in defense of the Economic Loss Doctrine, which bars a plaintiff from winning damages in a tort action for negligence if the loss suffered was purely an “economic loss.” The Minuteman Fund is ACEC's most powerful resource for helping Member Organizations pursue legislative and legal initiatives of national importance. All member firms are encouraged to contribute to the Fund. Click here for more information on how to make a donation.

ACEC Promotes Qualifications-Based Selection With Senior White House Procurement Official Robert Burton (right), the Deputy Administrator at the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), discusses QBS protection at ACEC headquarters this week. Members of ACEC's Federal Agencies & Procurement Advocacy Committee met this week with a senior White House procurement official to discuss industry concerns, including the protection of QBS. Robert Burton, the Deputy Administrator at the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), indicated that a key priority for the agency is the education and training of the federal acquisition workforce. ACEC members indicated that a major issue facing the A/E community is the fact that contracting officers often do not understand QBS. Burton agreed to create a working group with ACEC to address the need for QBS education training for contracting officers and program managers. He also suggested regular meetings between ACEC and the agency to discuss issues that pertain to the A/E contracting community. "This is a great step forward," said Committee Chairman Stephen Scott of Fuller, Mossbarger, Scott and May Engineers in Kentucky. "An ongoing partnership with OFPP to educate contracting officers and program managers on the benefits of QBS is exactly what we need to ensure compliance with the Brooks Act."

San Diego To Host Fall Business Of Design Consulting Course The Business of Design Consulting October 24-27, San Diego                   28 PDHs This highly regarded four-day immersion course for engineering firm executives and managers focuses on contemporary business management topics in the areas of Human Resources and Leadership, Finance and Business Management, Contracts and Risk Management, Information Technology, and Marketing. The approach is practical and hands-on, featuring leading practitioners who specialize in the A/E environment as the faculty. Click here for details and to register.

Finance, IT, Sales & Marketing September Forums Open For Registration ACEC's Forum meetings continue to spread their unique appeal, facilitating education, idea sharing, and peer networking, which continues year-'round. The September 2007 dates and locations are set, agendas are nearing completion, and ACEC's popular Forum gatherings are now open for registration: Finance Forum, Sept. 10-11, Chicago; Information Technology Forum, Sept. 10-11, Chicago; and Professional Sales and Marketing Forum, Sept. 26, Maui. Meeting content varies by functional areas of interest, but typically updates perennial topics and looks at emerging trends, problem solving and success stories from practitioners. For information and to register for these valuable Forum events, click on the above titles.

Upcoming Online Seminars: Beat The Summer Blahs, Earn PDHs Mastering the Critical Steps of the Business Development Process August 8, 1:30-3 p.m.                   1.5 PDHs Kevin Hackney, MBDi, examines the business development process and the necessary components for continuing success in this online seminar, including character, leadership and ethics-where they fit in the process and why they matter; principles, purpose and process as the basis for building long-term business relationships; and new levels of integrating process and skills. Click here for details and to register. Risk Management Considerations for Green Buildings August 15, 1:30- 3 p.m.                   1.5 PDHs Tim Corbett, A/E SmartRisk, presents this timely online seminar on managing the potentially increased risk and liability for design professionals accompanying green building design. Topics include LEED certification requirements, evaluation and suitability testing of new materials and their applications, and how understanding the risks inherent in using new or untested products and technologies will lessen the design professional's exposure to potential litigation. Click here for details and to register.

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