Congress Funds Dept. of Defense, Veteran Affairs' Construction for F.Y. 2010 Congress added $333.9 million to the Administration’s requested funding for several Department of Defense construction programs, while also increasing funds for Department of Veterans Affairs’ construction in the recently passed F.Y. 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Bill. Department of Defense military construction received $23.3 billion, including $2.59 billion for family housing. Congress allocated an additional $1.4 billion for construction in Afghanistan. The legislation also includes $1.5 billion for environmental remediation, including the removal of debris and unsafe buildings from current and former Defense facilities. For the Department of Veteran Affairs, the bill provides $1.9 billion for new construction—up from $1.67 billion in 2009—and $100 million to states for extended care facilities. In addition, the bill gives $1.3 billion to the General Services Administration for facility alterations and construction, $8.6 billion to USAID and $1.1 billion to the Millennium Challenge Corporation assistance programs.

Stay Prepared or Relax? Public Health Expert Updates H1N1 Pandemic H1N1 (Swine Flu) Pandemic: An Update Jan. 12, 1:30-3 p.m. Dr. Daniel J. Barnett, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, updates his initial insider discussion of last fall to assess the progression and status of the H1N1 ("Swine Flu") pandemic in the U.S. with an online seminar, January 12, from 1:30-3 p.m. The seminar will focus on the relevant issues for your business planning and continuity of operations in the context of the pandemic’s current phase and outlook. Dr. Barnett will update vaccine availability and cover preparedness levels and strategies, including current best-practice guidance for proactive business management of this unique and evolving public health issue. The presentation will include content on the pandemic’s physical and psychosocial impacts, and their relevance to business operations, along with prevention and mitigation strategies for occupational settings. For details and to register, click here.

Examine Markets, Methods, Tools for Sustainable Projects, New Directions Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Communities: Opportunities in New Markets Feb. 23-26, New Orleans ACEC again brings together a faculty of leading practitioners, academic and government experts in an exploration of the growing market for sustainable design and construction. Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Communities: Opportunities in New Markets, will be presented in partnership with Colorado State University, February 23-26 in New Orleans, with curriculum that examines key environmental planning and design processes and showcases applications of sustainable engineering. Segments of the four-day program add up to a unique practical and systematic examination of the challenges, strategies, tools, and bottom-line opportunities of sustainable facilities and infrastructure markets. Sustainability as Business Strategy The Business Case for Delivering Sustainable Projects Conducting Sustainability Audits and Assessments for Clients Use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Costing Risk Management for Sustainable Projects Field Trip: Sustainability Principles and Practices in Metro New Orleans Sustainable Urban Water Management, Buildings and Transportation Projects Engineers and planners looking for a course that examines key environmental planning and design processes, and showcases applications of sustainable engineering by some of the leading practitioners in the U.S. will particularly benefit from this unique certificate program. Click here for the course brochure with full agenda and faculty details. Click here for details and to register at the lowest advance price.

Online Seminar Lays out Steps to Successful BIM Implementation BIM for Bosses January 19, 2010 One of the industry’s biggest questions gets solid answers in this timely online seminar: "What results should I expect to see from BIM applications that we just bought (or are about to buy)?" Eric Wing, C&S Companies, paints a realistic picture of what expectations can and should be, and takes participants from How do you start? through What can BIM do for your firm?, your internal systems, your staff and your project proficiency. You'll get a thorough explanation of benefits and end goal in using BIM firm-wide; the processes needed for a seamless implementation; the steps for changes in hardware, software and network, plus new training and workflow practices that will add-up to success. And "bosses" will gain a realistic view of what to expect, and what not to expect, once BIM is up and running. This seminar can be an important part of the BIM decision-making and implementation process. For details and to register, click here.

Smart Grid Online Seminar Looks at Benefits, Unique Teaming Opportunities Engineering the Smart Grid—New Opportunities for Engineering Companies Feb. 10, 1:30-3 p.m. The Smart Grid is changing everything for energy utilities. This timely online seminar examines one of the industry’s hottest topics—the Smart Grid. What’s hype and what isn’t? How and where the Smart Grid will benefit engineering and utilities stakeholder groups? Participants will learn how the Smart Grid is creating opportunities for engineering firms to team with energy utility owner-operators in re-engineering the grid to meet 21st century needs, through new and more efficient ways to build it more quickly, more efficiently and at lower cost. Presenters Richard Zambuni, Bentley Systems, and Juan Torres, Iberdrola Engineering and Construction, will present the engineering and the utilities perspectives on the subject. Torres will outline his firm’s vision of the Smart Grid and show how it has impacted their approach to substation design and other projects. Participants in this interactive seminar will: Learn about the Smart Grid—hype or reality? Examine the physical infrastructure from "source to switch" Gain information to leverage Smart Grid funding from owner-operators and governments (Note the Administration’s commitment of $4.5 billion to Smart Grid projects) Hear how an international engineering company is taking advantage of Smart Grid opportunities Learn how new workflows and new information modeling technology will help engineers in delivering the Smart Grid more efficiently Engineering firms and consultants working with energy utilities and in environmental sectors will find this seminar of particular value. For details and to register, click here.

2010 ACEC Fall Conference Session Proposals Due by Jan. 22 Proposals for session presentations at the 2010 ACEC Fall Conference, set for October 17-20, in Puerto Rico, are being accepted by the ACEC Institute for Business Management. Deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. ET, January 22, 2010. Sessions are to be 75-minute presentations on topic areas under seven different tracks/curriculum areas: Engineering Markets and Issues, Business Management and Finance, Technology and Trends, Engineering Management and Leadership, People and Intangible Assets, Projects and Contracts, and Public Policy and Key Industry Issues. For examples of topics within these areas, plus a summary of the benefits of presenting, the Presentation Proposal Submission Form and requirements, 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