Your News for October 26, 2015

MSCA 2015 was a Cut Above

Mechanical service contractors climbed to the pinnacle with MSCA's Annual Educational Conference last week held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO, October 18-21. Inspiring and motivating general session speakers included entrepreneur, author and adventurer Jamie Clark on how to live life with passion, John O'Leary about overcoming adversity to lead a full and productive life and former Baltimore Ravens Coach Brian Billick about the 12 principles for succeeding in business and life. And, MSCA's Everyday Hero Award went to George Warren of BPI Mechanical (Capital Heights, MD) for the charitable work of his non-profit organization, Kingdom Investors, which has funded programs for the needy in the Washington, DC, area, across the U.S. and around the world, including the Philippines, Nepal and Latin America. And, during the Closing Session, Jim Bartolotta of Air Comfort Corporation (Broadview, IL) became the new Chairman of the MSCA Board of Managers. The Annual Exhibitors Display, entertaining social events and optional tours rounded out this excellent program.

Exceptional Business Speakers Featured at MSCA 2015

The MSCA 2015 program included industry experts who covered critical issues of concern to mechanical service contractors. They included Peter Sheahan on the changing nature of leadership; FMI's Gregg Shoppman on key performance indicators; Mark Sanborn on creating deep customer relationships and how to hold on to them; Seth Mattison on finding and keeping the Millennials for your company; Steve Thomas on creating a culture that brings out the best in employees; Jennifer Davis on how to choose the right software for your company; Chris Haslinger on the UA's new Interactive Curriculum Engagement program which offers new apprentices a variety of ways to learn and acquire skills; Marc Goodman on security issues and how to protect your company from hackers; and Dr. Linda Talley on how to read and use body language for effect. Roundtable discussions gave attendees the opportunity to share insights on a variety of topics, including sales techniques and tips, crisis management and disaster planning, leadership, technician recruiting strategies, energy services, emerging technologies and much more.

MSCA 2015 Bonus Program Takes on Key Performance Indicators

The One-Day Bonus Program (October 18) led by FMI's Gregg Shoppman, went into greater depth on how to use key performance indicators to improve a company's operations. The program included a discussion about MSCA's 2015 Benchmarking Survey results and how they may affect business operations.

UA's Bill Hite Commends "What Labor Really Costs" Training Course

In the September/October 2015 issue of the UA Journal - the President's Report - General President Bill Hite praised MCAA Past President Mark Rogers and the Joint Strategic Planning Committee for their efforts to educate Business Managers, Training Coordinators, journeymen and apprentices at various training seminars about the "Full Cost of an Hour of Labor." Mark Rogers began teaching the program across the country several years ago with great success. To make the program more widely available, the UA's Training Department developed the presentation into a training course for second-year apprentices. Hite said, "Now they are learning early on that the cost of a single hour of their time on a project is not the same as what goes into their pay envelope. There are dozens of different elements that go into that hour of labor-and those things add up." And, in the apprentices' fifth year, the course requires that they complete a bid on a hypothetical project. Hite concluded his column by commenting, "...those members who have received this training have a much better understanding of what it takes to succeed in the new marketplace of today."

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Productivity _ the Workforce_ Creating a _Think _ Do_ Mindset

MCAA Participates in Hearing on Workforce Productivity

MCAA and the UA participated in a National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) hearing on construction industry workforce productivity on September 1, and then filed a written statement with the Pipe Fabrication Institute (PFI) for the hearing record last week to assist with the fact finding process. A subsequent NIBS report is planned by the end of 2015. The MCAA, UA and PFI testimony was developed under the auspices of the UA/Employers Labor/Management Cooperative Committee, which was formed in 2014 and is funded under the PFI's Yellow Label Pipe Fabrication Agreement. A copy of the report, Productivity & the Workforce: Creating a "Think & Do" Mindset, is available on MCAA's website.

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PMs Learn the Latest at AIPM

The one constant in business is that change is always happening. Regardless of whether the changes are positive or tough to accept, it's important to keep up with them to stay competitive. The Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM) (January 17-22, 2016, University of Texas in Austin, TX) is specifically designed for senior project managers who could use some brushing-up on advanced management practices. Graduates of the Institute of Project Management or seasoned project managers with considerable project management experience learn how to take on and address efficiently, effectively and successfully legal, operational, human resources and insurance issues that could otherwise be detrimental to their projects. This is an excellent learning opportunity that your top PMs should not pass up, and the class is offered only once each year.

MCAA and UA Support Apprenticeship and Job Training Act

MCAA and the UA are developing joint support for the Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act of 2015 (S. 2020) in anticipation of the Administration's declaration of National Apprenticeship Week the first week of November. The legislative proposal, co-sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), would provide a $3 per hour tax credit for employers in state or federal registered multiemployer apprenticeship training programs. Eligible apprentices must be employed for at least seven months by the employer in the taxable year; no apprentices will be eligible for tax credits after three years in the program. The credit is available only for apprentices employed above the three-year average employment of the previous three taxable years. The proposed legislation also would make a $5,000 annual credit available for employers who hire apprentices in registered single-employer or unilateral training programs under the same terms and limitations. The proposal also requires covered employers to consider veteran military training in applying apprenticeship eligibility standards. Covered apprenticeship programs include those in high-demand mechanical, technical, healthcare or technology fields or other "apprenticeable" occupations approved by the U.S Department of Labor. Eligible apprenticeship programs must meet federal standards under the Federal Apprenticeship law administered by the Labor Department.

MCAA Industry Improvement Funds Conference

Registered Yet for the Industry Funds Conference?

This is one conference you won't want to miss...so don't. The registration deadline for the 2015 Industry Improvement Funds Conference (December 2-4, Longboat Key, FL.) is November 5. And, if you're planning to reserve a suite with a beach-front view, register now because they're going fast. The program is designed to help local association executives understand and better manage industry funds. Jim Estabrook of Lindabury, McCormick and Estabrook will share his legal expertise and guidance on the use of this vital source of funding for programs and operations that are important to contractors. Attendees will also hear about upcoming MCAA activities from President Steve Dawson, the results of a market share study presented by Carey Peters of the Construction Labor Research Counsel, a report on legislative developments from MCAA Legal Counsel John McNerney, plans for educational efforts in 2016 and much more.

Procurement Reforms to Affect Design-Build Construction Contract Solicitations

New proposed Federal Acquisition Regulations (80 FR 60833, 10/8/2015) will affect design-build contract solicitations over $4 million. The proposed regulations will require that such solicitations be limited to five or fewer potential offerors selected for phase two negotiations under two-step contractor selection procedures. The design-build reforms were enacted in the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act last year, which MCAA supported. The policy reforms were developed by the House Small Business Committee under testimony and analysis showing that competition would be more robust if competition in step-two negotiations were limited to fewer firms in step-two negotiation to encourage greater investment in competitive proposals. The regulations would permit the agency to make an exception and allow more than five competitors in a step-two competition, but only with high level contracting approval. Comments are due on the proposed regulations by December 7, 2015, FAR Case 2015-018. Other MCAA-backed procurement reforms included in the conference report for the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act were: individual surety reforms; joint venture reforms; and other small business contracting administrative changes. MCAA testified in support of these reforms at a February 2015 hearing. However, President Obama vetoed the legislation on October 22, 2015, over Defense budget sequestration issues, placing the bill's procurement reform sections in limbo.

MCAA Testimony

MCAA's 2016 Safety Directors' Conference

Our industry's safety professionals know that the best source for the latest information on health and safety issues, practices and regulations is MCAA's Safety Directors' Conference. The conference that will take place January 26-28, 2016, in Tempe, AZ, will feature leadership keynote speaker Daniel Rodriguez - decorated combat veteran and football star - an exhibit showcasing the latest safety technologies, topical breakout sessions, workshops and educational sessions that cover the latest developments from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other safety-related information. Because safety directors attend from across the country, the networking opportunities are exceptional and add value to this very popular conference. Registration opens later this year; watch this publication for the announcement.

Conference Schedule

Poole and Kent Contributes to MCERF

The Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation recently received a $1,500 contribution from The Poole and Kent Corporation (Baltimore, MD), raising its total contributions to $268,500. The Foundation's Board of Trustees greatly appreciates the support which will help ensure the continuation of education and research activities that help our industry advance.

Learn More About MCERF

The MCAA National Update is a weekly publication of the

Mechanical Contractors Association of America.

Questions? Contact Ann Mattheis, Editor, or call 301-869-5800.