The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA) is the business association of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island engineering industry, representing over 110 independent engineering companies engaged in the development of transportation, environmental, industrial, and other infrastructure. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Boston, MA, ACEC/MA is a member organization of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) based in Washington, DC. ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations. With the support of our member firms, ACEC/MA works to protect and promote your business. ACEC/MA's work with state leaders, legislators and with state agencies has led to the following recent victories: LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY - ACEC/MA successfully advocated for QBS legislation for horizontal transportation projects, so that Qualifications Based Selection is used by MassDOT, MBTA and other transportation agencies covered by Chapter 25 of the Acts of 2009, the new Transportation Reform Law.
- ACEC/MA won passage of language creating a Water Infrastructure Finance Commission (September 2009).
- ACEC/MA met with EPA Region One office to discuss our concerns over the “Buy American” provisions and the waiver process required for ARRA funded projects. (June 2009)
- 2009 Design Professionals Day at the State House: About 65 members of ACEC/MA, BSCES, MALSCE, and other design groups visited our State Senators and State Representatives to discuss the importance of: Contracting Out, Infrastructure Reform and Funding: Transportation, Qualifications Based Selection (QBS), Infrastructure Funding: Water and Infrastructure Finance Commission, and Mechanic’s Lien Law for Design Professionals. Fact Sheets on each of these legislative issues are available from the Government Affairs Committee. (May 2009)
- ACEC/MA successfully worked to have our QBS language inserted into the Senate Transportation Reform Plan (April 2009)
- 2009 Consulting Congress Day, Washington, DC: ACEC/MA Leaders held discussions with members of Congress on issues including: funding for transportation and water projects and contracting out federal design work to engineering firms. (April 2009)
- ACEC/MA met with Rep. Steve Walsh, the new House Chair of the joint Committee on State Administration to discuss our QBS bill and other issues related to contracting out (April 2009).
- ACEC/MA leaders briefed freshman and new legislators about the consulting engineering industry at The Engineering Center. (February 2009)
- ACEC/MA served on Governor Patrick’s Economic Stimulus Task Forces on Procurement and Transportation. (December 2008-February 2009)
- ACEC/MA continues to protect the interests of private sector engineers by supporting or opposing legislation that affects the industry.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE - ACEC/MA developed and launched the Odyssey Program for future C-level Leaders in our business practice. This extended leadership skills development program will run over nine months with eight formal training sessions and on individual session. (Fall 2009)
- 2010 Emerging Leaders Program: we are launched the 11th year of this highly regarded six-week seminar for rising stars of member firms focusing on: leadership, business financial management, risk management, marketing, strategic planning, government affairs and human resources. (March 2010)
- ACEC/MA held its second annual Everest Program for C-Level Leaders. (October 2009).
- ACEC/MA Building Engineering Committee continues to work with the Massachusetts School Building Authority on the Owner Project Manager issue as well as model school program.
MASSACHUSETTS AGENCIES - ACEC/MA Environmental Affairs Committee provided DEP with comments on the draft Stormwater Regulations.
- ACEC/MA continues to discuss with EOT their Policy Directive regarding litigation history and prequalification. This is one of our most significant challenges this year.
- Partnering meetings are held monthly with key agency leaders at MassHighway, MBTA, Massport, DCAM and DCR to discuss issues of concern to members.
- We protested proposed salary rate freezes requested by MassPort and are continuing to negotiate new guidelines for determining overhead, which will permit more favorable financial terms on new contracts. We continue to work for further increases in the OH cap and Salary Cap with MassHighway. Currently surveying member firms for salary information to provide to MassHighway Audit Department. (June 2009)
- ACEC/MA representatives serve on the MHD Construction Streamlining Task Force and the Joint EOT/ACEC/MA/CIM Accelerated Bridge Program Task Force.
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