October 2009

Calendar of Events

November 16, 2009  11:30a.m. - 1:30p.m.
The Outlook for Construction in 2010
Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport
                            Guest Speakers:
Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for the AGC of America
                                     and
Robert T. Sweet, Managing Director and Economist
                                         at MTB Investment Advisor's
$40 AGC members Non-Member $55
Click here to register

November 20, 2009 9:00a.m - Noon
2nd Annual Sporting Clay Shoot
Pintail Point
511 Pintail Point Lane
Queenstown MD 21658
Click here to register

November 22, 2009
Tailgating at M and T Stadium
Ravens play the Colts

December 1, 2009 9:00a.m. - 2:30p.m.
How To Submit a Successful Accident Prevention Plan
Instructed by USACE, Baltimore District
Maryland AGC  Office
1301 York Road, Suite 202 Lutherville MD 21093
$165.00 per attendee
Click here to register

December 3, 2009 8:00 - 5:30p.m.
Construction Quality Management for Contractors
The Burkshire Marriott Conference Hotel
10 West Burke Avenue Towson MD 21204
Cost $195.00 per attendee 
Click here to register

December 3, 2009  7:30a.m - 4:00p.m.
Proving, Pricing & Defending
Delay & Distruption Claims
Courtyard Baltimore
1000 Aliceanna Street Baltimore MD 21202
Cost $99 AGC members

December 8, 2009  3:00p.m. - 7:00p.m.
Christmas Open House
Maryland AGC Office
1301 York Road, Suite 202
Lutherville MD 21093

January 28, 2010  6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.
AGC/ASA Joint Annual Dinner Meeting
Hayfields Country Club
700 Hayfields Road, Hunt Valley 21030

May 15, 2010  4:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
Generals v. Subs
Maryland Construction Softball Game
Ripken Stadium

 

Welcome New Members

 Noyes Air Conditioning Contractors, Inc.
16761 Oakmont Avenue
Gaithersburg MD 20877
Phone  301-670-6300  Fax  301-670-6379
Point of Contact: Chris Kauffman
www.nacgroup

Excell Concrete Construction, LLC
57 W. Timonium Road, Suite 201
Timonium MD 21093
Phone 410-252-7510  Fax 410-252-7610
Point of Contact: Ted Bowes
info@excellconcrete.com
www.excellconcrete.com

Capitol Finishes, Inc.
9601 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 414
Baltimore MD 21220
Phone 410-686-8213  Fax 410-686-4809
Point of Contact: Brendan Feeney
www.capitolfinishes.com

Smith, Currie & Hancock, LLP
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20006
Phone 202-461-3100  Fax  202-461-3102
Point of Contact: Dirk Haire
www.smithcurrie.com

 

Dirk Haire Joins Smith, Currie & Hancock's Washington, DC Office

 

          Maryland AGC Board member Dirk Haire has joined the construction and government contracts law firm Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP as a partner in their Washington, DC office.   Dirk practices in the area of construction law, with a focus on federal construction advice and claims.   

 

        Recently Dirk was identified by Chambers USA as one of America's leading construction lawyers for the third year in a row.  The Chambers guide describes him as "an excellent communicator with exceptional business understanding." 

 

        A graduate of GeorgeWashington University Law School, Dirk was a senior director at the Associated General Contractors of America before entering private practice.   In addition to the Maryland AGC Board, he currently sits on the AGC of America Board of Directors and will join the AGC of America Executive Board in March, when he becomes chair of the AGC of America Service and Supply Council. 

 

 

        Dirk can be reached at (202) 461-3114 or email ddhaire@smithcurrie.com.  More information about Smith, Currie & Hancock may be found at www.smithcurrie.com. 

Meet New Board Member - Edward (Ted) Bowes

                                                                                               

 

Ted Bowes, MBA, LEED® AP

Ted Bowes is President and Managing Member of Excell Concrete Construction, LLC.  Ted began his career in construction with Kiewit Construction Co. (Omaha, NE) working out of the Baltimore and Ft. Lauderdale offices.   Later, working as a Senior Project Manager for a mid-size commercial concrete construction company based in the Baltimore region, Ted developed strong working relationships with many of the area’s most respected contractors and suppliers.  In 2004, Ted and his partner began Excell Concrete Construction, LLC with the goal of becoming the Mid-Atlantic area’s best commercial concrete company. 

Ted graduated from The Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Science degree (Magna Cum Laude) and in 2006 received his Master of Business Administration degree after completing the MBA Fellows executive program at Loyola University Maryland.  Ted lives in Churchville, MD with his wife and two children.

You can contact Ted on 410-252-7510 or email tbowes@excellconcrete.com

 

The Construction Outlook in 2010

November 16, 2009  11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport
7032 Elm Road, Baltimore, MD 21240 (410) 859-3300

What construction sectors will be growing?  Will material prices remain stable?  What about labor costs?

AGC of America is the nation’s largest, oldest, and most influential trade organization for the commercial construction industry. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to hear from one of the outstanding members of the AGC team.  Come hear AGC of America’s renowned economist,Ken Simonson,  and Robert T. Sweet, Managing Director and Economist at MTB Investment Advisors,address the construction outlook for Maryland for 2010. 

 Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, is the foremost expert in the nation on construction costs and markets.  Ken writes The Data DIGest, a weekly one-page email newsletter that summarizes the latest economic news relevant to construction. In addition, he has written eight booklets explaining tax provisions in plain English, and he is interviewed often by the Wall Street  Journal, CNBC, USA Today, Business Week and other national media.  Ken is a board member of the National Association for Business Economics and co-chair of the Tax Economists Forum.

Robert T. Sweet, Managing Director and Economist at MTB Investment Advisors, a subsidiary of M&T Bank, has studied credit markets and the climate for investment extensively.  Come hear his insights into the credit markets essential to owners and developers.  His experience includes over 40 years of asset management and economic analysis. He has served as an investment consultant and advisor on privatization to international organizations in Singapore, Chile, Venezuela, Korea, The Czech Republic, The Slovak Republic, and Uzbekistan. In addition to work in emerging markets, he has also devoted research to U.S. equity markets and is frequently quoted in the local and national business press.

 

Click here to register

Cianbro Corporation & Friends Race for the Cure

The Cianbro Family & Friends Team
braved the cold and rain on Sunday,
October 18th to support the local
Chapter of the Susan G. Komen
Foundation.

The team, including Paul Day, Brenna
Frania, Neeley Stanton, Julie Smith,
Alicia Dodson, Jae Park and many
friends and family members,
Great job team for making a
difference and raising
$1,337.00 for the cause!

Visit the Cianbro website www.cianbro.com

 

SBA Proposes New Rules Revising Small Business Contracting

U.S. Small Business Administration on October 28 announced a notice of proposed rulemaking that would substantially revise contracting rules for firms benefiting from the 8(a) Business Development program. The proposed changes are the result of the first comprehensive review of the 8(a) program in several years. The rules cover a variety of areas of the program, ranging from providing further clarification on determining economic disadvantage to requirements on Joint Ventures and the Mentor-Protégé program. The public comment period on the proposed changes is open for 60 days.

Some of the components of the 8(a) program that the proposed changes will affect include:

• Joint Ventures – qualifying that 8(a) firms are required to perform a significant portion of the work to ensure that these companies are able to build capacity;
• Economic Disadvantage – providing more clarification on economic disadvantage as it relates to total assets, gross income, retirement accounts and a spouse of an 8(a) company owner in determining the owner’s access to capital and credit;
• Mentor-Protégé Program – requiring that assistance provided through the Mentor-Protégé relationship is directly tied to the protégé firm’s business plan;
• Ownership and Control Requirements – providing flexibility in admitting individuals of immediate family members of current and former 8(a) participants;
• Tribally-Owned Firms – seeking public comments on the best way to determine whether a tribe meets the criteria of being economically disadvantaged for the 8(a) program;
• Excessive Withdrawals – amending regulations on what is considered excessive as a basis for termination or early graduation from the 8(a) program; and
• Business Size for Primary Industry – requiring that a firm’s size status remain small for its primary industry code during its participation in the 8(a) program.

AGC is currently reviewing the proposed rule and will prepare formal comments to the SBA. In addition, AGC will work with SBA and Small Business Congressional Leaders on Capitol Hill to continue advocating common-sense contracting reforms that will benefit contracting for the construction industry.

Comments to this proposed rule are due on or before Dec. 28, 2009 and may be submitted to www.regulations.gov, where they will be posted or mailing them to 409 3rd St. SW, Mail Code: 6610, Washington, DC 20416 or via e-mail at:8aBD2@sba.gov.

 

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

FedEx Discount Program

 

 National Purchasing Partners and FedEx have just announced a great new discount program for Maryland AGC members. You can save up to 65% on select FedEx Express U.S. shipping, 62% on select FedEx Express international and up to 35% on select FedEx Ground shipping. For more information please visit our website(marylandagc.org) and click on Membership, then Benefits. If you haven't visited our website for awhile you'll notice a few changes I'm sure. Not too mention the addition of several new money saving partnerships!

Free Cash Flow - The "Lifeline" of Business

                                    

 Free Cash Flow – The “Lifeline” of Business

The Impact to Free Cash Flow of Company Vehicles

By Ron King

Associate Dean of the WashingtonUniversitySchool of Business

 

This white paper will help you better understand that free cash flow is an important measure for any business. Free cash flow is simply operating cash inflow minus operating cash outflow minus cash outflow for capital acquisitions such as equipment or vehicles. In addition to improving operations, a company’s fleet of vehicles can offer a viable opportunity to improving free cash flow.

 

Companies that have increasing amounts of free cash flow are considered to be the strongest financially. Free cash flow provides flexibility to businesses and lessens the need for debt; and less debt reduces business risk. Accordingly, free cash flow is an attribute often used to determine business values. To illustrate the importance of free cash flow, a business that increases its annual free cash flow by $10,000, can increase the value of the business tenfold — or $100,000 (assuming a cost of capital of 10% and that the cash flow is perpetual).

 

Not surprisingly, businesses are constantly looking for ways to increase cash flow.

 

One often overlooked way to improve free cash flow is the effective use of your fleet of vehicles.

 

Many businesses own and manage their fleet or provide reimbursement for use of employees’ vehicles, but a close look at the overall cost of doing this may warrant the outsourcing of these tasks to fleet management professionals.

 

When comparing an outsourced fleet management plan to a “do-it-yourself” program, it’s important to understand the key benefits that fleet management professionals bring to the table in terms of improving free cash flow. From a financial perspective, the following issue is critically important:

 

·        Fleet Management companies allow for flexible leasing arrangements, which can lessen the amount of debt on a company’s balance sheet as compared to traditional loans. This can reduce the financial risk of the business, improve the cost of capital, and increase the value of the business.

 

From an operational standpoint, a well-designed fleet management program can improve the free cash flow of a business model in many ways, some of which are detailed below:

 

The ability to gain access to the best possible price on a particular vehicle, minimizing the additional after market costs, and tapping into all of the possible avenues to maximize the resale value of the vehicle.

 

·        Implementing the right vehicle replacement plan based upon histories of repairs, mileage patterns, warranty coverage, and improvements to fuel economy of new vehicles.

·        Reducing driver downtime due to repairs or accidents.

·        Ensuring that maintenance costs covered by manufacturer warranties are recovered.

·        Minimizing the risk of costly errors due to oversight of automotive experts.

·        Buying and selling vehicles at the right time of the year and providing an objective viewpoint on the vehicle make and model.

 

In summary, the level of free cash flow is one of the key determinants of a successful business model. Increasing free cash flow can have a dramatic impact on the value of your business. One resourceful approach to increasing free cash flow is to outsource your fleet. Not only could outsourcing increase the value of your business, this decision would allow you to focus attention on core activities and where your passion lies – and not dealing with the headaches of managing your fleet.

 

 

Brought to you by:

Enterprise Fleet Management

You can contact Mark Powell on 410-412-4673 or email mpowell@erac.com

 

Concrete Shines at "Extreme Makeover": Home Edition

Chaney Enterprises and partner customers topped off the summer giving their all to the construction of a home and community center for ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” the last week of August.    

            “Chaney Enterprises and our partners, working around the clock and dealing with many challenges, gave 150 percent toward the completion of the two projects,” said Jan Holt, chief customer officer for Chaney Enterprises. “Both the home and the community center are fabulous structures, and we are proud of the team effort from everyone.”

            To keep the projects moving, a special accelerating admix was included in the concrete. Under normal construction, concrete takes days to cure, or harden. “Time is even more critical for such a specialized mix and once the truck’s mixer drum starts running, the mix must be poured and finished rapidly,” said Mike Hockenberry, manager of Technical Services for Chaney Enterprises. Both Hockenberry and Damian Caprinola, a Chaney Enterprises technical services technician, were on site to monitor all the mixer trucks and concrete pours.

            The home for the Tripp family in Hyattsville and The Fishing School community center in the Brentwood neighborhood of Washington, DC, were built concurrently over the week by Burch Builders Group, LLC and G&M Contracting, Inc. Both of Northern Virginia, the two companies led the construction of the projects. Chaney Enterprises and its partnering companies were among several companies in the building industry who volunteered for the week-long demolition and construction.

The cumulative total donated by Chaney Enterprises, Z CON, Eastern Concrete, Independent Concrete, Increte of Maryland, W.R. Grace, Aaron’s Concrete Pumping, Stone Shooters, Leep Green, Miller & Long and LaFarge is estimated at approximately $100,000. This amount includes concrete, pervious concrete, cement, Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), decorative concrete, building materials and labor.          

            Both the Tripp home and The Fishing School featured many “green” construction elements, including solar panels and various innovations using concrete. Standard concrete, as used in the driveways, is an environmentally friendly material. Not only is concrete is long-lasting and durable, it also reflects light, which reduces lighting needs and heat-island effect.

Pervious concrete, used on the sidewalk of The Fishing School and as a patio for the Tripp home, allows rainwater to percolate through its small openings instead of creating runoff that leads to erosion and stormwater ponding. Easy to maintain, the durable pervious concrete lasts as long as traditional concrete.

Both structures also used Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). These foam-framing forms are hollow, so concrete can be poured into the center. ICF buildings realize major reductions in energy costs. ICF also provides outstanding structural strength and integrity.

Chaney Enterprises is on the leading edge of developing, testing and producing high-quality concrete mixes, such as pervious concrete and concrete overlay, for customers throughout the region. The company is a major supplier of ICF and other building materials and is the One Stop Shop™ for construction materials and supplies. Serving Maryland and neighboring Metropolitan DC since 1962, we strive to provide superior, top-quality products as we employ a combination of land management and environmentally friendly practices unsurpassed in the industry.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which won back-to-back Emmy Awards for Best Reality Program (non competitive), is entering its 7th season on ABC. This project’s two-hour episode is expected to air on a Sunday beginning at 7 p.m., late November or early December. Check the local broadcast listings for dates.

            For information call 301-932-5665 or visit ChaneyEnterprises.com.

 

 

Captions:

EMHE-708AConcrete02-Aug09.jpeg

A crew from Independent Concrete worked quickly on the foundation of the new Tripp home in Hyattsville, MD, one of two construction projects during a week-long  filming of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” the last week of August.

 

EMHE-708BPervious-Aug09.jpeg

 Z CON’s crew rapidly finishes the pervious concrete sidewalk of The Fishing School in the Brentwood Neighborhood of Washington, DC, the second project of ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” during construction late August.

 

Point of Contact: Sherry Santana, Community Relations Specialist
Office: 301.932.5665      Cell: 240.266.8792
ssantana@ChaneyEnterprises.com

Congratulations Kevin B. McCoy, Kruchko & Fries

Kruchco & Fries is pleased to announce the promotion of Kevin B. McCoy to Partner at its Management Labor and Employment Law Firm in McLean, VA. Kevin is a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law and a cum laude graduate of Emory and Henry College in Virginia. Before joining the firm, Mr. McCoy served as a judicial law clerk with both the Indiana and Illinois State Courts of Appeal and practiced in the Labor & Employment section of Locke Reynolds, LLP in Indianapolis. Mr. McCoy concentrates his practice on employment litigation and preventive counseling stemming from issues arising under local, state, and federal employment-related statutes.

For more information visit www.kruchkoandfries.com

Construction Crane Safety

Whether you are a crane operator, spotter, or working in the vicinity of crane operations, you must be ever aware of what is going on and know where everyone is as you go about your work.

Another critical aspect of crane operations is inspection. Use the following checklists, developed from OSHA regulations, for crane inspection and operation.

Pre-Operational (Daily) Walk Around Inspection

Inspect all cranes and crane equipment at the start of each shift and during use to ensure it is safe to operate. Deficiencies must be repaired, or defective parts replaced, before the equipment can be used. This inspection is the responsibility of the company competent person.

Pre-Start-Up (In Cab) Inspection

The OSHA inspection requirements for each of the following areas must be met before you, the operator, starts up the equipment: cab, fire extinguisher, field of vision, placards, load rating chart. Check the following equipment for proper operation before using: outriggers when used; brakes and clutches for adjustment and operation; boom hoist lockout and other operator aids such as anti-two-block devices and load moment indicators. After start-up, check all gauges and warning lights for proper readings; operate all controls to ensure they are functioning properly.

Crane Operation Checklist

Only qualified and properly designated people may operate the crane. All personnel must be kept clear of loads about to be lifted and suspended loads. Between the crane operator and ground personnel the following areas must be constantly checked and rechecked.

Overhead power lines

Ensure all electrical distribution and transmission lines are deenergized and visibly grounded or, erect insulating barriers to prevent physical contact with the lines. If it is not possible to meet either of the two methods above, cranes may operate close to power lines only if clearances in the charts in the OSHA regulations are met.

Hand Signals

The signal man and the crane operator must be familiar with the hand signals required for the crane type you are operating. A chart, illustrating the hand signals, must be posted at the job site.

Barricades

Barricades must be set up to protect employees from being struck or crushed by the rotating superstructure of the crane.

Passengers

No one except the oiler, instructor, or competent person is allowed on the crane when it is in operation. The operator shall not hoist, lower, swing, or travel while anyone is on the load or hook. This includes riding a bare hook or a load of material such as beams, girders, or concrete buckets.

Brought to you by: Quinton Anderson, District Safety Manager with W.O. Grubb Crane Rental. You can contact Quinton on 410-796-3661 or email quintonanderson@wogrubb.com

 

 

 

2009 AGC National Safety Awards (NASA)

 

 

 

 * * * PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT * * *

 

                                                 

                       

 

The National AGC

Safety Awards (NASA) program has been an ongoing effort since 1991 to offer AGC members an opportunity to evaluate their safety record.  NASA compares an AGC member’s safety record with other AGC members according to the member size and construction type.  Additionally, NASA provides a great opportunity for contractor members who have excellent safety records to compete for nationally recognized awards.

 

Eligibility: AGC contractor members must have participated in the National AGCSafety Awards Program for three consecutive years in order to be eligible for an award. This means a member must have participated in the program for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 in order to be eligible to receive an award in 2010.

 

How to Enter: A Chapter must submit an entry on behalf of the AGC member company.  Chapter entries must be submitted electronically, and each Chapter will be e-mailed the electronic entry form on December 11, 2009. The electronic form must be completed by the Chapter and e-mailed to Raj Vohra at vohrar@agc.org, by February 5, 2010.

 

(We will be using only the electronic participant form to collect the information necessary to participate in the awards program)

 

 

Award Categories: NASA has two award categories, AGC Chapter Safety Awards and AGC Member Awards.

 

Chapter Safety Awards: The AGC Chapter Safety Awards are based on a weighted average of participation and the overall incident rate of the Chapter’s general contractor members.  Each Chapter is divided into four size categories:

 

·       Less than 50 general contractor members;

·        50-100 general contractor members;

·        101-200 general contractor members; and

·        Over 200 general contractor members.

 

The first place winners for each division will receive plaques and the second and third place winners will receive Certificates of Excellence

 

AGC Member Awards: Safety awards are given to members who have a zero incident rate or who have an incident rate 25 per cent below each occupational division’s average (AGC divisions include: Building, Highway, Federal and Heavy, Municipal/Utilities and Associate/Specialty.)

 

·   AGC provides awards to members who have participated in the awards program for three consecutive years and have an incident rate below 25 per cent of their division rate - Certificate of Commendation

 

·   AGC provides awards to members who have participated in the awards program for three consecutive years and have a zero incident rate – Certificate of Commendation

 

Award Distribution:

AGC will send all Chapter and member awards to their home Chapter for distribution at Chapter events.

 

For further information email Raj Vohra at vohrar@agc.org,

House Passes EPA Appropriations Bill, Significant Water Funding Increase

 Today the House of Representatives approved the conference report providing appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior and other agencies. The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 passed on a party line vote (247-178) and included significant increases for EPA programs, including a $2 billion increase over FY09 SRF programs.  

The bill provides $3.6 billion federal assistance for communities’ water infrastructure programs including $1.38 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund and $2.1 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which will be allocated to states under existing distribution formulas. In addition, $157 million was earmarked for specific municipal projects.

Similar to the Recovery Act, this bill requires that 30 percent of funds be distributed in the forms of grants, loan principal forgiveness or negative interest loans for communities with the greatest needs. Additionally, 20 percent of the funds must be used by the states for projects to address green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements, or other environmentally innovative activities. The bill also includes Davis-Bacon prevailing wages under a compromise agreement that will apply these wages for a period of one year. The bill does not include Recovery Act “Buy American” requirements.

AGC has long advocated for increased appropriations and authorization levels to meet the nation's unmet needs for water infrastructure.

The Senate is expected to vote on and pass the conference report in the near term. To view a complete copy of the conference report click here.

For additional information contact Perry L. Fowler at

fowlerp@agc.org or (703)837-5321.

Appropriations for Army Corps and Bureau of Reclamation Signed by President

President Barack Obama on October 28 signed into law $33.5 billion spending bill to fund government energy and water programs for the 2010 fiscal year.

 

For more information, contact Marco Giamberardino at giamberm@agc.org.

EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule-Prepare Now to Meet Upcoming Compliance Deadlines

A whole host of training, certification and work practice requirements called for by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program are slated to take effect in April 2010.  By that date, construction firms must apply for and receive EPA certification to disturb paint as part of their work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities.  In addition, all of these jobs must be supervised by certified renovators; specifically, individuals who have completed an EPA-accredited, full-day training course.  Plus, other craft workers on such jobsites must be properly trained and equipped to follow the RRP Program's lead-safe work practices when performing their assigned tasks.  AGC members covered by the RRP rule should take steps now to meet the upcoming April 2010 compliance deadline.

EPA's RRP Program is a federal regulatory program affecting construction firms and individual workers who disturb painted surfaces.   It applies to residential houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities such as schools and day-care centers built before 1978.  It includes training, certification and work practice requirements that take effect in April 2010, as well as pre-renovation education requirements that are currently in effect.  Renovation is broadly defined as any activity that disturbs painted surfaces and includes most repair, remodeling and maintenance activities, including window replacement. Because the term "renovation" is defined so broadly, many contractors who are not generally considered "renovators," as that term is commonly used, are considered to be "renovators" under the RRP Program and must follow the rule's requirements.

Training, Certification & Work Practice Requirements Take Effect April 2010!

Under EPA's RRP Program, both construction firms and individual workers who perform (or direct other craft workers to perform) renovations must be certified by EPA by April 2010.  In addition, all craft workers must be trained on the lead-safe work practices that they must use when performing their assigned tasks.

A construction firm can become certified to perform renovations by submitting an application for firm certification (PDF) and fee payment to EPA. The Agency will begin processing applications on October 22, 2009. The Agency has up to 90 days after receiving a complete request for certification to approve or disapprove the application.  The certified construction firm is required to ensure (1) that all individuals performing activities that disturb painted surfaces on behalf of the firm are either certified renovators or have been trained by a certified renovator; (2) that a certified renovator is assigned to each renovation project; (3) that the program's recordkeeping requirements are met; and (4) that the pre-renovation educational materials are properly distributed (see below).

An individual worker can become a certified renovator by successfully completing an eight-hour initial renovator training course offered by an accredited training provider. The course completion certificate serves as proof of certification.  The certified individual must then complete an accredited refresher course every 5 years. (Note:  Individuals with prior relevant EPA or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development training (e.g., certified lead abatement contractors) need only complete a refresher course.)  EPA estimates that that there is an initial trainee base of approximately 250,000 renovators.  EPA reports that hundreds of workers have already become EPA-certified renovators; however, EPA warns that it may be difficult to find an open course if you wait until right before the compliance deadline.   As of October 6, 2009, EPA has 72 accredited training providers.  Read the list of EPA's accredited training providers.

The certified renovator is required to ensure that the renovation is performed in accordance with the work practice standards of the RRP Program, among other things.  These requirements pertain to warning signs and work area containment, the restriction or prohibition of certain practices (e.g., high heat gun, torch, power sanding), waste handling, cleaning and post-renovation cleaning verification.  EPA's rule does not require everyone involved in performing a regulated renovation project to receive training from an accredited training provider. The rule allows firms to use other workers to perform renovation activities, as long as they receive on-the-job training (OJT) in work practices from a certified renovator.

Pre-renovation Education Requirements Are Currently In Effect!

Currently, contractors who perform renovation, repairs and painting jobs in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities must, before beginning work, provide owners, tenants and child-care facilities with a copy of EPA's lead hazard information pamphlet, Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF).  Contractors must document compliance with this requirement.  EPA's pre-renovation disclosure form (PDF) may be used for this purpose.  

Failure to comply with EPA's RRP Program requirements could result in penalties of up to $37,500 per day per violation. For additional information, visit EPA's web site at

http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm or call the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1(800) 424-LEAD [5323] to find out more.

Exxon Mobil Discount for Maryland AGC Members

 

The ExxonMobil fleet card program allows association members to combine their fuel purchases to obtain volume rebates. Current ExxonMobil card holders will be allowed to transfer their gallons over to the Maryland AGC account. Maryland AGC members can earn fuel rebates up to 5.0 cents per gallon. This 30 day account has many security features and allows customers to manage their accounts on the internet or with 24/7 customer service professionals. ExxonMobil has 255 Maryland locations as well as 485 Virginia and 30 District of Columbia sites to serve your fleet of vehicles. If your company requires a universal gas card program, we also have the ExxonMobil Universal card program to meet your needs.

For more information and an application please contact:

Chuck Shettle
District Sales Manager
ExxonMobil Fleet Sales
410-494-1808 Office
443-668-8425 CellChuck_Shettle@WrightExpress.com   

AGC Is Now Accepting Submissions for the Marvin M. Black Partnering Awards

Submission Deadline: November 6, 2009
 
The Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Awards recognizes the successful partnerships and collaborations that work to improve construction projects. Contractors honored with this award stand out for their achievements in the following areas:

·        Signing a formal partnering charter
·        Achieving a common goal
·        Honoring all stake holders
·        Resolving Conflict
·        Improving communication on the project with all audiences 
·        Incorporating team-building activities

Please urge members to consider submitting projects completed between November 1, 2008 and November 6, 2009. Submissions are due to AGC by November 6, 2009.

Learn more and download the submission formclickhere, or contact Elisa Brewer Pratt at brewere@agc.org.

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 10, 2009 – ConsensusDOCS 310 Green Building Addendum!

 On November 10, 2009, ConsensusDOCS will release the construction industry’s first comprehensive standard contract document addressing the unique risks and responsibilities associated with building green projects – the ConsensusDOCS 310 Green Building Addendum.

Stakeholders on green building projects will benefit by using the new ConsensusDOCS 310 Green Building Addendum.  The Addendum incorporates contractual best practices to identify the project participants’ roles and responsibilities, as well as the implementation and coordination efforts critical to achieving a successful project using green building elements, particularly those seeking third-party green building rating certification.  It was drafted to work well not only with the other ConsensusDOCS contract documents, but also with other form contracts.

This new ConsensusDOCS Green Building Addendum, as well as every document in the ConsensusDOCS family, was developed through a collaborative team of professionals representing every part of the construction process, including owners, contractors, designers, subcontractors and sureties. 

ConsensusDOCS offers a catalog of 90+ standard contract documents addressing all project delivery methods.  AGC members receive a 20% discount on all ConsensusDOCS purchases.  Please visit http://www.agc.org/contracts or contact Meghan McLellan (mclellanm@agc.orgor 703-837-5417) for more information about ConsensusDOCS products

AGC'sSTP Unit 6, Fifth Edition Debuts

 
AGC’s Supervisory Training Program (STP) is a construction-specific training curriculum developed, updated and field-tested by and for contractors. STP has been the professional development resource of choice for more than 122,000 construction supervisors and managers and provides an unmatched learning experience for participants.

Unit 6: Understanding and Managing Project Costs fifth edition, was released today and has been extensively updated to provide the most up-to-date information for construction supervisors. The learning objectives for the new unit are to:
• Apply basic management ideas, principles, and skills that will enable participants to immediately manage the crew on your construction project more effectively
• Apply important project cost management principles
• Recognize how cost reporting can improve the overall success of a project
• Recognize the process of estimating and pricing, from concept through detailed estimate to change orders
• Prepare supervisors to manage project costs
• Prepare supervisors to manage various risks/potential delays that could impact your project

Preview the new unit with this free webinar on November 3, 2009 from 2:00-3:30 PM EST. Registrants will also have the opportunity to purchase copies of the new fifth edition of Unit 6 at a discounted rate of only $90 per book (plus $5 shipping and handling).

Copies of the fifth edition of Unit 6 will be available for purchase in the AGC Bookstore beginning today (at this time the fourth edition will no longer be available for purchase).

If you have any questions, contact Stephanie Mullins at mullinss@agc.org or (703) 837-5387

The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts: The Ins and Outs of Federal Prevailing Wage Law

AGC of America Three Part Webinar Series

With the downturn in the availability of commercial work, many construction contractors are bidding on federal and federally-assisted work, and facing the mandates of federal prevailing wage laws, for the first time. The application of the Davis-Bacon Act to all projects funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is also responsible for leaving many contractors uncertain about the requirements of federal prevailing wage laws and the consequences of non-compliance. Perhaps you are a new staff person responsible for federal contract compliance or you've been in your role for a while and need a refresher course. Industry experts, including the head of enforcement for the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage & Hour Division and the DOL Branch Chief for Davis-Bacon Wage Determinations, will provide you with the information you need to understand the specific requirements of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts in a contractor-friendly manner.

December 3: Introduction to the Davis Bacon Act and Wage Determinations
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST

December 8: Compliance Principles
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST

December 10: Reporting Requirements & Enforcement
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST

To register click here

Federal Contracting: What You Need to Know Now – An AGC Webinar Series

November 5, 12 and 19 – 1:30-3:00 pm ET
 
The federal market has changed dramatically over the last year. This series of webinars will provide a detailed overview of some of the most critical challenges both new and experienced federal contractors will need to know to successfully navigate this new landscape.

November 5 - Protests and Debriefings: How to Protect Yourself
November 12 - Small Business Contracting: Opportunities Gained & Challenges Identified
November 19 - Cost Recovery & Claims: Obtaining Fair Compensation and Avoiding Pitfalls

Go towww.agc.org/fedwebinars  to register and learn more

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