On January 15, 2009 at 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST, AGC will conduct a webinar on the AFL-CIO’s top legislative priority – passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.  The proposed legislation could bring about major changes in labor law that will make 9(a) union organizing much easier.

Join AGC for an important 90-minute webinar that will discuss the myths and facts surrounding this bill, as well as explain how this bill could affect your company if enacted and what you should do now to prepare. Click here for additional information on this key program and to register.

For more information, contact Jim Young at (202) 547-0133 or youngj@agc.org.

Take advantage of this power-packed and informative January 27, 2009 one-day workshop, “Partnerships for Growth in Infrastructure: Contractors’ Risks and Opportunities with Public-Private Partnerships.”

This program is designed to discuss the role contractors can play when forging public-private partnerships (PPPs), as well as explain how PPPs can work as a complement to the traditional public works development process. The conference will also provide an excellent opportunity to network with leaders in the PPP industry.  Featured expert speakers will elaborate on the role of PPPs as an addition, not a replacement, to the traditional public works funding and development process in federal, state and local markets.

Register now at www.agc.org/pppconference, and get ready to explore the potential opportunities as well as the potential risks PPPs present for today’s contractor. Lock in the AGC/NCPPP special discounted hotel group rate of $229 + tax, per room, per night at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown conference site here.   (Discounted group rate not available after January 5, 2009).

For more information, contact Jeff Shoaf at shoafj@agc.org.

February 5-6, 2009
Arlington, VA
The STP Instructor Training Workshop is a two-day event that provides the skills essential to effectively instruct STP courses – specifically how to teach adult learners, encourage interaction among STP participants and use the STP manuals to prepare for and deliver a class. Each workshop participant will have an opportunity to give a presentation and test newly-learned skills and receive constructive feedback.

 Who Should Attend?
Individuals who:
Want to learn specific techniques used to facilitate and present successful STP courses.
Administer STP currently and want to attract more instructors.
Want to learn about this highly successful educational program for the construction industry.
Want to start STP in their area.
Have just been (or want to be!) selected to facilitate STP.

Registration deadline is January 22, 2009. For more information and to register please click here.

For more information on the STP Instructor Training Workshops, contact Stephanie Mullins at mullinss@agc.org or (703) 837-5387, or visit www.agc.org/STP.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) integrates 3D drawings and 4D animations to dramatically improve the communication, coordination and planning of construction projects, while reducing risks, errors and costs. Building Information Modeling is an in-depth resource that shows architects and building professionals how to capitalize on BIM concepts, tools and techniques for their own building projects. 416 pages. 2008. Item #5093

To order go to www.agc.org/bookstore or call 800-242-1767.

An alliance of utility and construction organizations that AGC helps lead, known as Common Ground Alliance, released new data showing that pipeline safety improved in 2007 over the previous year.  The group noted that there were fewer incidents and less damages over the previous year.  Much of the credit goes to a greater industry-wide commitment to safety as well as strong promotion of the national 811 “Call Before You Dig” number.

Click here for the complete report.

For more information, contact Perry Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.

Warren B. Diederich, former treasurer of AGC and lifetime member, passed away.  He was born in Fergus Falls, Minn., on February 10, 1924.  Warren married Irene Gunvaldsen in 1946.  Warren and Irene are the parents of four children, Michael (Mary), Laura Carley (Cole), Donn (Kirsten) and Paul (Ellen), all of Fargo. Grandchildren are Lisa, Ryan, Monica, Brittany, Erik, and Anna Diederich; Sean, Jay, and Marcus Carney; Great granddaughter Lily Carney.

Warren and Irene founded Industrial Builders, Inc., in 1953 and started to build bridges, dams, and highway projects.  Warren was President of AGC’s ND Chapter, National Chairman of the Highway Division, Chairman of the Bureau of Public Roads, and served as National Treasurer in 1992.

He was honored for his work on highway legislation that benefited North Dakota and its allotment of the Federal Highway Trust Fund in 1981.  He was selected for the North Dakota Highway Hall of Fame in 1987.  He was a committee member and the Chairman of the National Academy of Science Highway Research.  In 1990 he was awarded the C.I.T. Group / Industrial Financing “Rebuilding America” Award in recognition of his contributions to the infrastructure of the United States.  He was a member of the Consulting Constructors Council to benefit Construction Education since 1970.  He was also a Life Honorary Director of TRIP, a National Transportation Research Group.

Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Associated General Contractors of America Education and Research Foundation, or North Dakota State University Development Foundation Scholarship Fund.

The Contractors Association of West Virginia helped sponsor a December 15 broadcast of the groundbreaking PBS documentary Liquid Assets, which highlights the health and safety threats of our nation’s long-neglected water infrastructure.  After the broadcast, local chapter members pulled together representatives from the EPA, the local water authorities and utility owners for a roundtable discussion on the state’s water needs.

View West Virginia PBS’ article about their Liquid Assets experience here and listen excerpts of the roundtable discussion by clicking here.

Sponsoring local broadcasts of Liquid Assets is a great way to advocate for increased investments in our aging water infrastructure. 

Chapters that are interested in hosting screenings, sponsoring broadcasts, or leading local debates should visit www.agc.org/liquidassets, or contact Perry Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.

AGC's Brian Turmail was quoted on CNNMoney.com in an article titled "Will energy savings jump-start the economy?"

"Clearly, it will put construction workers back to work and put money in the economy," said Brian Turmail, a spokesman for the contractors' association. "This is a tremendous opportunity."

On November 14, 2008, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council issued a final rule to require federal contractors and subcontractors to use the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS), or “E-Verify” system as the means of verifying that their employees are eligible to work in the United States.

The final rule applies to solicitations issued and contracts awarded after January 15, 2009. Contractors who wish to enroll in E-Verify before the effective date of this rule may do so now.  Enrolling now may help contractors become familiar with the system and may make it easier for them to use E-Verify if and when you are awarded a federal contract.  All employers, including federal contractors, may enroll in E-Verify at any time without waiting for the effective date.

Critical Components of the Final Rule

1. Significantly Extended Timelines. The final rule amends the proposed rule to permit Federal contractors participating in the E-Verify program for the first time a longer period - 90 calendar days from enrollment instead of 30 days as initially proposed - to begin using the system for new and existing employees.
2. Covered Prime Contract Value Threshold. The final rule requires the insertion of the E-Verify clause for prime contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold ($100,000) instead of the micro-purchase threshold ($3,000).
3. Contract Term. The final rule clarifies that the E-Verify clause need not be inserted into prime contracts with performance terms of less than 120 days.
4. Sureties. Under the final rule, sureties performing under a takeover agreement entered into with a Federal agency pursuant to a performance bond need only verify employees assigned to the covered Federal contract.
5. Security Clearances and HSPD–12 Credentials. The final rule exempts employees who hold an active security clearance of confidential, secret or top secret from verification requirements.
6. All Existing Employees Option. The final rule provides contractors the option of verifying all employees of the contractor, including any existing employees not currently assigned to a Government contract. A contractor that chooses to exercise this option must notify DHS and must initiate verifications for the contractor’s entire workforce within 180 days of such notice to DHS.

Further information on registration for and use of E-Verify can be obtained at http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

For more information, please contact Marco Giamberardino at (703) 837-5325 or giamberardinom@agc.org.

California’s Air Resources Board is currently seeking a special waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would allow it to put in place new rules that would force the state’s builders to replace virtually every piece of motorized construction equipment they own. 

The rule, known as “In-Use Off Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation,” sets stricter emissions standards for off-road construction equipment and requires builders to either retrofit or replace their equipment.  Unfortunately, the state’s safety agency has already determined that the retrofit equipment, if installed, would constitute a finable-safety violation.  As a result, this new rule would force thousands of construction companies to throw away billions of dollars worth of equipment and replace it.  Giving their timing, this new rule would lead to more layoffs and economic hardships for our members.

If EPA grants the waiver, not only will California be able to move forward with this costly and unsafe rule, but other states will be free to enact similar regulations.  We need your help to make sure that doesn’t happen.  If you want to avoid having to throw away your construction equipment and replacing it, please click here to send a letter to the EPA voicing your objections. 

For more information, contact Leah Pilconis at (703) 837-5332 or pilconisl@agc.org.