Engineering Influence from ACEC

Reviewing the Q1 2023 Engineering Business Sentiment Study

We were joined by Joe Bates with the ACEC Research Institute to review the newly released Q1 2023 Engineering Business Sentiment Study available at www.acecresearchinstitute.org. 

Looming Federal Ban on Non-Compete Agreements – What You Need to Know

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a proposed rule that will ban most noncompete agreements going forward. Employees who own at least 25% of a firm that is being acquired would be exempt, and virtually all existing non-compete agreements would be rescinded immediately. If the rule goes into effect as proposed, it could significantly impact business decisions related to M&A and firm owners and employees currently working under such agreements. 
ACEC's VP of Tax & Workforce Policy, Katharine Mottley, joined the podcast to discuss the proposed FTC rule and what it means for the engineering industry.

Discussing the EJCDC CMAR Document Series

We were joined by Coy Veach, Vice President at Freese and Nichols and past Chair of the Engineer Joint Contract Documents Committee to discuss the newly released Construction Manager At Risk document series now available through acec.org and ejcdc.org.
The comprehensive new EJCDC series consists of 27 documents, including contracts, bonds, contractor-procurement documents, and administrative forms, intended for use on projects in which the owner retains a construction manager at risk (CMAR) to provide preconstruction services and then construct the project. 
The Construction Manager at Risk method of delivering projects evolved from traditional design-bid-build by involving the construction contractor early in the project. The CMAR delivery process adds value by (1) having the contractor involved in the design phase of the project, by performing services such as constructability reviews, providing advice on material availability and selection, estimating and scheduling, assessment of risk factors and mitigating strategies, development of procurement strategies, and organization of the work into efficient work packages; (2) taking advantage of opportunities for early procurement of materials and equipment, especially in volatile markets; and (3) starting construction before the design of the entire project is complete (fast tracking).
ACEC members can save 50% on any document in the new CMAR series.  

A Closer Look at the Intermodal and Logistics Market

On this episode, we were joined by Diana Alexander, our Director of Private Market Resources to discuss our newly released Private Market Brief on the Intermodal and Logistics market. Download the new report for free along with all of our economic and business intelligence resources here.   

The Road Ahead: A Preview of Congress and the Race to 2024

On this episode of the Government Affairs Update, we are joined by Dave Bender, VP of Political Affairs at ACEC, and Nando Gomez, our VP of Strategic Initiatives, to discuss the road ahead for Congress and what to expect in the lead-up to the 2024 races.
 
Engineering Influence is brought to you by the ACEC Retirement Trust.

ACEC, APWA, and ASCE Discuss the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow

ACEC has joined the American Public Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers on a nationwide Engineering and Public Works Roadshow to demonstrate the essential value of engineering by spotlighting successful examples of design. In this episode of the Engineering Influence podcast, the three leaders of these organizations discuss how the Roadshow came about, its goals, its first event, and what is to come in 2023.
Featured in this podcast are:
Linda Bauer Darr, President & CEO, the American Council of Engineering Companies
Scott Grayson, CEO, the American Public Works Association, and 
Tom Smith, Executive Director, the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Learn more about the Roadshow at www.infrastructureroadshow.org

Catching up with the ACEC Retirement Trust

During the Fall Conference we sat down with the ACEC Retirement Trust to discuss what sets them apart from other retirement plans for engineering firms.  Learn more about the ACEC Retirement Trust and their unique offerings, which are a benefit only available to ACEC member firms and their employees, here: https://www.acec.org/trusts/ 

Introduction to the ACEC Legal Council Forum

Recorded at the 2022 Fall Conference, we sat down with Emily Bloedel, the Co-Chair of the Legal Council Forum to discuss their work at the conference and the Forum's importance for ACEC member firms.  
Background:
The Legal Counsel Forum was created so that counsel to ACEC member firms could meet and share information about legal issues facing engineering companies. Such individuals can register for the Forum and be included in the Forum's listserv upon request. Over time, it has also become customary for professional liability insurance specialists to take part in the Forum and Listserv at the invitation of the Chair.
The LCF meets for a day and a half in conjunction with the ACEC Annual Convention and Fall conference. The Chair of the Forum prepares a draft agenda that is circulated to the Forum participants shortly before the meeting. The agenda is finalized at the meeting itself.
Past discussion topics have included:
Economic Loss Doctrine
Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery
Downsizing
Limitation of Liability Clauses
Document Retention Policies