The AAa/e Foundation, in partnership with the PGA Tickets for Charity Program and Northern Trust, is proud to offer tickets for the upcoming Northern Trust Open, February 18-22, 2015, at the historic Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. For each ticket you purchase, the PGA will donate 80% of the net proceeds to the Foundation to help fund future scholarships. The remaining 20% will be donated to the City of Hope towards their ongoing fight against cancer. Go to: www.northerntrustopentfc.com, click "purchase tickets now" and click on "Asian American Architects and Engineers Foundation."

On November 3, 2014, The US Department of Transportation issued a final rule amending its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program at 49 CFR Part 26. This improves DBE program implementation by:  

• Increasing the cap on gross receipts over the previous three fiscal years from $22.41 million to $23.98 million
• Establishes a presumption of control for non-disadvantaged owners who remain involved in the company after a transfer of ownership 

Caltrans Office of Business and Economic Opportunity (OBEO), Office Engineer, and Department of Procurement and Contracts (DPAC) are updating Caltrans contract language to incorporate the new federal requirements.  DBE application forms are being updated and will be posted on the OBEO website.  The highlights of the DBE Program Changes can be viewed at: https://www.civilrights.dot.gov/disadvantaged-business-enterprise.  OBEO encourages new DBE applicants to ask for assistance with the new forms.   

For more Caltrans project information, be sure to visit the Department of Procurement and Contracts (DPAC) website, where you can also see the "A/E Look Ahead Report" and register to get automatic weekly updates and RFQ/RFP postings: www.Caltrans-opac.ca.gov/aeinfo.htm.  Also, you can track awarded projects here: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/contractor_info/

1. California High Speed Rail Authority will host an official High-Speed Rail Groundbreaking Ceremony on January 6, 2015 in Fresno, CA in order to commemorate the start of sustained construction of the nation's first high speed rail system.
2. Linden forwarded to the AAa/e Board the Authority's Release of First Quarter Small Business and Jobs Report.
3. Authority announced the bid results for the next segment of civil design-build construction services (CP-2/3) in the Central Valley.  The team led by Dragados was identified as the "apparent best value" proposer.   The teams led by Tutor Perini and Golden State Rail Partnership came in second and third, respectively.
4. Authority issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the following segment of design-build construction services as CP-4, representing the next 30-mile phase of construction through the counties of Tulare and Kern and the cities of Wasco and Shafter.
5. Due to inclement weather, December 11, 2014 BAC Meeting in Sacramento was cancelled at the last moment by Authority.  Next BAC Meeting is scheduled for February 19, 2015 in Sacramento. 

Congratulations to AAa/e Board Member Sonnet Hui, who has accepted a position with the Hazens Development Group as Executive Director of Development and Design.  In her new role, Sonnet will lead the development of a large-scale urban mixed-use project adjacent to LA Live that will play a critical role in the DTLA "Renaissance."  As she engages her design expertise, Cantonese/Mandarin language skills and Hong Kong business acumen, Sonnet has the unique opportunity to bridge the cultural and linguistic differences between Chinese owners and development, design, and construction practices in the City of Los Angeles.    

AAa/e is committed to providing a platform for empowering AEC professionals with professional growth.  If you or any AAa/e member in your firm has been recently promoted in your firm or recognized with a special award or organizational standing, please let us know so that we can announce your achievements to the community.