ACEC Battles to Save State DOTs from $8.7 Billion Rescission ACEC is calling on Congress to repeal a provision in the 2005 SAFETEA-LU transportation funding law that requires states to rescind $8.7 billion of unused contract authority to the Highway Trust Fund. The rescission of federal funds is expected to have large financial consequences for many state transportation departments. In the past, rescissions of contract authority haven’t translated into “real money” but due to language in the 2007 Energy Bill, state DOTs must now apply contract authority rescissions proportionally across the board to all formula programs. As a result, state transportation departments could lose about $400 million in funding. “At this time, when our nation’s infrastructure and economic recovery demand increased and stable funding, such a rescission is unconscionable,” said ACEC President Dave Raymond. Key Senate leaders including Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) have vowed to work to repeal the rescission when Congress returns in September.

Raymond Advocates for ACEC/Nebraska's Agenda with Government Officials Kleinfelder’s Joel Carson (left) and Scott Sammons (right) share views with ACEC President Dave Raymond during his visit to Nebraska. ACEC President Dave Raymond visited Nebraska last week at the request of the State Organization to brief local, state, and federal officials on issues of key concern. “In these meetings, Dave talked about how important our industry is in the state’s economic development and encouraged more outsourcing in both stimulus and non-stimulus projects,” said Jackie McCullough, executive director of ACEC/Nebraska. Raymond, McCullough and ACEC/Nebraska volunteer leaders met with Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy; FHWA Nebraska Division Administrator Joseph Werning; Nebraska Department of Roads Director Monty Frederickson; Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE); Sen. Ben Nelson’s (D-NE) Chief of Staff Tim Becker; and Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle. At member luncheons in Omaha and Lincoln, Raymond briefed members and received feedback on transportation funding, the stimulus package, and the impact of healthcare and other legislation. “All of our membership really appreciated Dave’s coming to Nebraska,” said McCullough “We had the opportunity to exchange views, share what’s on our members’ minds, and bring a local perspective to ACEC’s national efforts.”

Business of Design Consulting Updates Survival Skills for Changing Marketplace The Business of Design Consulting: Managing for Success in a Climate of Change October 21-24, St. Louis, MO ACEC’s Business of Design Consulting: Managing for Success in a Climate of Change is a unique and comprehensive update of the elements and functions of the successful A/E business... in the context of a challenging business environment. Content covers the eight key areas of business management, finance, marketing, risk management, contracts, leadership, human resources, and information technology—plus real-world technical examples presented by leading practitioners in the A/E workplace. Created for owners, principals, executives, and managers of A/E firms, this state-of-the-art look at the key components of your operation is a cost-effective investment for succeeding in a more competitive than ever environment. For details and to register at the early bird price, click here.

Get Courtroom Skills for Legal Services in Oct. 29-30 Expert Witness Course Applying Expertise as an Engineering Expert Witness October 29-30, Dearborn, MI Adding new services such as expert witness capabilities to your firm’s portfolio is a shrewd business strategy, particularly as an extension of existing skills and expertise. However well-qualified your key staff may be, only the court-savvy engineer should take on potentially lucrative assignments as an expert witness in legal proceedings. Applying Expertise as an Engineering Expert Witness, ACEC’s unique 1-1/2 day course to qualify engineers, architects and surveyors for recognition as expert witnesses, will be presented Oct. 29-30 in Dearborn, MI. Participants earn a certificate of course completion equipping them for legal service. For details and course agenda, click here. For an in-depth look at engineers in the expert witness role, read Holding Court in the July/August issue of ACEC’s Engineering Inc. magazine. In completing this course, attendees take an important first step towards qualifying for the professional designation of Engineer Expert Witness (EXW). For information on the EXW designation program, e-mail ebajer@acec.org.

Oct. 29-30 Course is Case Study of BIM Technology, Risks, Competitive Advantage Building Information Modeling (BIM): The Promise and the Reality for A/E/C Firms October 29-30, Seattle, WA As headlines point to the growing importance of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process to private and public sector clients (See Wisconsin First State to Require BIM on Public Projects in Aug. 6 Last Word and the Texas Facilities Commission website), ACEC presents a first-hand examination of the challenging interdisciplinary process. Set for Oct. 29-30 in Seattle, this fast-paced 1-1/2 day course is an informative and timely look into the many components of the BIM project delivery system by faculty practitioners and early-adopters. Agenda highlights include: reasons for change, exploring the technology and interoperability, implementation strategies and IT case study, risk management and insurance updates for "BIM-ready" firms, plus the latest views of BIM from the M/E/P perspective. The course is ideal for firm principals planning, considering or launching BIM. For details, the full course brochure, and to register at the lowest advance price, click here.

Networking, Problem-Solving Highlight Sept. Specialty Forum Meetings Information Technology Forum September 28, Chicago, IL ACEC’s popular Forum for IT professionals convenes in Chicago, Sept. 28, to discuss emerging technology trends, share best-practices and address problem-solving and communications in our increasingly technology-driven industry. For details on agenda topics and to register at advance best-price, click here. Finance Forum September 14-15, Chicago, IL A/E industry finance professionals meet in Chicago, Sept. 14-15, for peer networking and best-practices exchange. Topics expected to top the discussion list include the state of the economy, the stimulus package, cash flow, ESOPs and more. For details and to register, click here.

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The American Council of Engineering Companies 1015 15th St., NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005-2605 Phone: 202-347-7474 - Fax: 202-898-0068 www.acec.org - E-mail:acec@acec.org Alan D. Crockett, Director, PR • Gerry Donohue, Designer