Michigan Engineering Newsletter

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Issue: 4

September 2014

Legislative Update

Senate Bill 309 (Affidavit of Merit)

ACEC has been working with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to gain support for SB 309. Representatives from the Association for Justice have been included in discussions to root out any potential concerns with the proposed legislation. The goal is to get the bill scheduled for a hearing when the legislature returns in September.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and ACEC Executive Director Ron Brenke

Transportation Funding

During the summer break, the Senate formed a working group to try to develop solutions to the lack of proper funding for our transportation system. Members include: Senators Richardville, Meekhof, Kowall, Whitmer, Warren and Johnson. Last June, the Senate failed to pass meaningful legislation before they took their summer break. Escalating prices for winter road salt and the forecast of another frigid winter are sure to expose the lack of proper funding for our roads and bridges, which will result in continued deterioration of our system.

ASCE Michigan Section Making Plans for 100th Anniversary Celebration

Events being planned for 2016

The ASCE Michigan Section will be celebrating their 100-year anniversary in 2016. In preparation for the celebration, a steering committee has been assembled to provide direction for the events being planned.

The ASCE MI Branches and student chapters will also be integral in planning activities for the landmark celebration.

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 145,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE's Mission is to provide essential value to our members and partners, advance civil engineering, and serve the public good.

ACEC Receives Intents for Engineering & Surveying Excellence Competition

ACEC Celebrating 50th Anniversary of the Competition

ACEC/Michigan has received over 40 "Intents to Enter" into the widely recognized Engineering & Surveying Excellence Competition. Projects from across the state compete each year for the coveted "Eminent Conceptor" Award. A panel of judges evaluates projects based on innovation, complexity, client satisfaction and future value to the profession.

Complete project submittals are due October 10, 2014.

The gala will be held on February 28, 2015 at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. It will be the 50th Anniversary of the competition.

ACEC Scholarships Available

ACEC/Michigan is planning to award $10,000+ to engineering and surveying students enrolled in an ABET accredited College or University. Applications are available from the ACEC office or online at www.acecmi.org by clicking on Awards, then Scholarship Program.

Applicants will be judged on a written essay, their work experience, employer and faculty recommendations, community involvement and their GPA.

Applications are due to ACEC by December 19, 2014.

ACEC Holding CEO Roundtables in October

Firm principals, owners and senior managers do not want to miss this opportunity to get together to discuss topics on the minds of industry leaders. Large or small, all firms can benefit from these discussions. ACEC will provide an update of association issues and come prepared to discuss: legislation, firm profitability, key business practices and other issues that are affecting engineering companies.

Non-ACEC firms can attend (at no cost) when invited by a current member firm.

PE's will receive 2 continuing education credits.

Roundtables will be held from 8:00 - 10:30 am on October 2 in Southfield and on October 9 in Grand Rapids. To register, call the ACEC office or register online at www.acecmi.org.

MDOT-ACEC Partnering Award nominations now being accepted

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M) are excited to announce the second annual "MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award". Nominations are currently being accepted. This award recognizes project managers and consultants for their commitment to excellence and promoting an enhanced business partnership based on the ideals set forth in the MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Agreement. These ideals include mutual trust, effective communication, continuous improvement, embracing innovation, and timely issues resolution. The award will be judged equally on five important principles:

Providing Cost-Effective, High-Quality Services
Partnering in Streamlining Business Practices
Engaging in Effective Communication
Commitment to Transparency & Accountability
Promoting Innovation and Sustainability

Projects accomplished by team effort between MDOT project managers and ACEC consultants are eligible to receive this award. Applications for the 2014 award will be received by the MDOT Performance Excellence Division through Sept. 30, 2014. Projects must have achieved substantial completion by Dec. 31, 2013, to be eligible for the 2014 award year. The 2014 award will be announced at the MDOT/ACEC Partnering Workshop schedule for February 05, 2015 at the Lansing Center.

Click here for more details.

MDOT Leading the Way with E-Construction

FHWA National webinar highlights MDOT's efforts to go paperless

MDOT Director Kirk Steudle, P.E.

As a member of the State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC), ACEC/Michigan participated in a National Webinar on August 28 as part of the FHWA Every Day Counts (EDC) initiative. MDOT Director Kirk Steudle was a presenter during the webinar and provided an overview of MDOT's efforts to go completely electronic with construction documents for transportation projects in Michigan. After piloting several projects this year, MDOT is planning to use E-construction for all construction projects starting in October 2014. This effort is expected to save taxpayers nearly $4 million through greater efficiencies by eliminating paper transitions and documentation during construction.

Every Day Counts is designed to focus on a finite set of initiatives. Teams from the Federal Highway Administration will work with state, local, and industry partners to deploy the initiatives and will develop performance measures to gauge their success.

Are your group insurance renewal terms off the chart?

Read on to learn more about a cost saving plan brought to you by the ACEC Life/Health Trust

Healthcare Reform and its challenges require a different approach to managing group benefits. The ACEC Life/Health Trust's structure frees their membership from many restrictions associated with the Affordable Care Act, creating immediate price advantages to most ACEC member firms. PCIA, an ACEC Life/Health Trust broker partner, represents engineering and architectural firms for their insurance and risk management needs and has the tools to assist and guide ACEC member firms in making the right healthcare decisions and choices.

For more information on the ACEC Life/Health Trust suite of healthcare products, please contact Julie Holderness, Account Executive at PCIA, direct 1-810-224-5260

or online at jholderness@pciaonline.com.

2014-15 SAVE THE DATES!

October 2, 2014: ACEC CEO Roundtable - Southfield

October 9, 2014: ACEC CEO Roundtable - Grand Rapids

October 28-30, 2014: FHWA NHI 3 Day Bridge Refresher Course - Lansing

January 29-30, 2015: PSMJ Project Managers Bootcamp - Lansing

February 5, 2015: MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop - Lansing

March 18, 2015: AESLC Legislative Day - Lansing

June 4 & 5, 2015: Michigan Engineering Conference - Plymouth