The bill, approved last week by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (H.R. 7), includes a provision requiring states to contract out for engineering services "to the maximum extent practicable," as well as a reporting requirement to track compliance.

During committee consideration of the bill, ACEC led a successful effort to defeat a union amendment to strike the provision. Click here to view the union letter to committee members.

"We have to assume that the unions will again seek to kill this language on the House floor, and we will be reaching out to ACEC Members shortly to contact their Congressional representatives to defend the provision," said ACEC President Dave Raymond.

The Senate is expected to begin consideration of the transportation bill on Thursday. The debate and amendment process could take two weeks or more.

The Committee also approved by voice vote an ACEC-backed amendment, offered by Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), to lift the state volume cap on Private Activity Bonds for water and wastewater projects for six years.

The bill provides $3.35 billion annually for the Airport Improvement Program, consistent with 2012 funding levels, and includes an ACEC-initiated provision supporting the use of QBS on airport projects funded solely with passenger facility charges, which are not currently subject to federal QBS mandates.

The 46th annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) Gala—the "Academy Awards of the engineering industry"—takes place on Tuesday April 17 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington D.C., as part of the upcoming ACEC Annual Convention.

Emmy award-winning television host and comedian Ross Shafer will emcee the annual black-tie extravaganza, which pays tribute to the year's best engineering accomplishments and awards the prestigious "Grand Conceptor Award" for the year's single most outstanding achievement.

New to this year's Gala festivities will be a "Champagne After Party" immediately following the dinner and awards program—and free for all Gala registrants. For more information on the Convention and Gala, click here.

ACEC committee membership is open to all employees of ACEC Member Firms.

Most of ACEC's committees are "open" (i.e., sign up and you're on!). A few require appointment by the incoming ACEC Chairman, and the terms of appointed committee members begin immediately following the 2012 Annual Convention, April 15-18.

Of growing interest to firms involved in the energy sector is the joint Environment & Energy Committee, with its strong sub-committee on Energy. New this year is a committee on Infrastructure Sustainability. Both of these committees are "open" and welcome new participants.

If you are interested in signing up for one or more of the "open" committees, or are interested in one of the "appointed" committees, you will find the online form at the link below.

Click here to view committees—click on committee of interest to see current goals and rosters. If you are interested in joining one or more of the committees, click on the link at the bottom of that page.

For more information about the committee appointment process, contact Mary Ann Emely, ACEC Vice President of Operations & Membership, memely@acec.org, 202.682.4300.

A faculty of industry experts will provide in-depth, custom-tailored instruction on leadership, strategic planning and growth, finance, ownership transition, marketing, contracts and risk management.

For more information and to register for the Business of Design Consulting, click here.

In Know What Drives Your Clients—Make Your Firm Invaluable, Rich Friedman, Friedman & Partners, will explore four types of client research tools: client/prospect perception studies, continuous client monitoring, project satisfaction surveys/interviews, and reference validation.

Friedman will answer key questions relevant to effective research practices including: When should firms employ each of the four research tools? How can firms leverage the data yielded in real time to address problems and seize opportunities? How can firms use the data to modify their positioning and business development strategies, as well as their project delivery process?

Click here to register.

Wage and hour issues—including who is entitled to receive overtime premium pay, as well as definitions of mandatory meal and rest periods—have become the basis for a growing number of lawsuits nationwide, including large class action and representative lawsuits.

In an invaluable new webinar, Wage and Hour Issues in Today's A/E Industry, Eli Gould, MBV Law, will explain in detail the current exempt and non-exempt designations for employees, cover the various exemptions that may be available to A/E employers, explore some of the exempt/non-exempt issues prevalent in the A/E industry, discuss ways to lessen your firm's risk in the event of a lawsuit, and address specific questions on wage and hour issues.

Click here to register.

You've heard it many times before—landing a new client costs 10, 25, even 100 times more than keeping an old one. So keeping your clients happy in a long-term relationship is just good business—higher profits, lower overheads, less stress and the peace of mind of a continuing supply of profitable work.

In the idea-packed Keeping Clients for Life webinar, David Stone, Stone and Company, examines why clients leave and provides tried-and-true techniques for strengthening your client service practices and keeping your client relationships strong.

For details and to register, click here.

ACEC presents U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' 2012 Programmatic Outlook, a timely webinar on the latest status of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) marketplace.

Bruce Ware of the USACE Engineering and Construction Division, will provide an update on changes in how A/E services are procured and the impact of fluctuating appropriations, new legislation, and changing regulations.

Click here for details and to register.

Acting as a trial expert witness in hazardous waste lawsuits presents unique challenges in addition to the normal expertise and courtroom skills required.

In this webinar, What You Need to Know as a Successful Hazardous Materials and Forensics Expert Witness, Richard Hughto, a consultant and a highly experienced expert witness on the fate and transport of contaminants, remediation, and professional liability in the hazardous materials industry, will identify the necessary credentials, experience, and personal characteristics for an expert witness. Hughto will also explore the unique role of forensic analysis.

Click here to register.

Whether to serve as an expert for your own firm's benefit or to add another service in your firm's business portfolio, ACEC's Applying Expertise as an Engineering Expert Witness course is the one-of-a-kind learning experience that will prepare you for courtroom challenges. This focused 1½-day course takes you step-by-step through the qualifications, ramifications, and expectations of testifying.

For engineers, architects and surveyors interested in gaining credentials and confidence for legal service engagements, this is a don't-miss opportunity. Co-sponsored by ACEC/Georgia.

Click here for details and to register.