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Specialty Contractor Working Group to MeetJoin other specialty contractors, general contractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, and owners May 28-29 for the Spring 2009 51���� BIMForum in Dallas, TX.  The Spring 51���� BIMForum will be an assembly of some of the nation's leading construction professionals for a two-day program focused on BIM and the bottom line.Topics to be covered include: The economy of BIM - What is the current state? What savings already exist? How can you increase efficiency?Measuring and optimizing first cost, cost to complete and life-cycle costs.Owner's perspective on BIM and how to achieve goals through scenario-based planning design and budgeting. Click here for more information and to register for the Spring 51���� BIMForum.  To get involved with the 51���� BIMForum, please visit www.bimforum.org.

June 10-13, 2009 in Hot Springs, VAHow are owners and contractors addressing their needs in today's economy?  How can your firm maintain competitiveness in this market?  The 51���� Building Contractors Conference to be held June 10-13, 2009 at The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA will bring together members of the 51���� building construction community to hear presentations and discuss how best to guide their firms through these challenging economic times. This Conference will address many important topics, including contingency planning, taking advantage of hidden market opportunities, the stimulus, federal labor law changes, and strategies on how to come out on top.  Discussions on industry trends such as BIM, green construction, and IPD, as well as multiple networking opportunities make this a Conference you don't want to miss.Who should attend: building construction professionals, owners, specialty contractors, service and supply firms, and anyone who wishes to contribute to the industry and benefit from valuable guidance and best practices.  For more information and to register, visit www.agc.org/homestead. Interested in sponsoring the 51���� Building Contractors Conference and showcasing your firm before owners and leaders of this market? See "Sponsors" tab here for available sponsorship opportunities!

The federal government has agreed to even further delay implementation of the E-Verify rule for federal contractors.  Contracts and solicitations issued prior to June 30, 2009, will not contain the mandate.  The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council issued the final rule on November 14, 2008, requiring contracting officers to mandate contractor use of E-Verify in solicitations issued and contracts awarded after January 15, 2009.  In response to a legal challenge to the rule, the government agreed to suspend the rule until February 20 and again until May 21.  The plaintiffs in the lawsuit requested the extension after President Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel issued a memorandum directing federal agencies to consider extending by 60 days the effective dates of all regulations already issued but not yet in effect, in order to allow the new Administration a chance to review any "questions of law and policy raised."Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) for Federal Contractors & E-Verify.  Visit the 51���� Web site for critical components of the final rule.  For more information, contact Marco Giamberardino at (703) 837-5325 or giamberm@agc.org.

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BIM 101 Scheduled at 51���� Chapters Across the CountryOn April 6, 2009, 51���� of America launched its newest educational resource, BIM 101: An Introduction to Building Information Modeling, the first part of 51����'s BIM Education Program. BIM 101 is a full-day course designed specifically for construction professionals eager to learn the essential concepts of BIM and will provide participants with a comprehensive overview to prepare them for future BIM Education Program courses.This high-quality, content-rich program gives construction professionals, building developers, owners, designers, construction product manufacturers and others in the AEC building community a compelling new resource to position themselves to proactively move forward with BIM adoption.The BIM Education Program brochure outlines the course details. BIM 101 is offered at many of 51����'s 95 chapters, in addition to a range of construction firms and educational institutions. Course offerings are scheduled frequently. May 2009 dates include:51���� of America 51���� BIMForum, Dallas, TX - May 2751���� of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT - May 6San Antonio Chapter, San Antonio, TX - May 751���� of Connecticut, Wethersfield, CT - May 15 and 16Contact Amy Fields, Senior Director, Curriculum and Program Development, for additional information on BIM 101 at (703) 837-5360 or curriculum@agc.org.

Your Voice Could Make a DifferenceIn 2012 a new law will require federal, state, and local governments to withhold three percent from all payments for goods and services as a guard against possible business tax evasion.  Withholding applies to the total contract, not to the net revenue generated from a project, and will affect specialty contractors immensely.  Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators today and strongly urge them to pass a full permanent repeal of the three percent withholding tax.  Click here for more information and to quickly and easily send a letter to your elected leaders regarding this important issue.  To view the letter 51���� of America recently sent to members of Congress to encourage permanent repeal of three percent withholding on government contracts, please click here.

51���� of America SCC Seeks to Facilitate Chapter SCC DevelopmentThe 51���� of America SCC has recently produced resources for 51���� Chapter Specialty Contractors Councils.  In addition to facilitating development of new Chapter SCCs, these documents may also increase the effectiveness of existing Chapter SCCs.  To complement "A Guide: Simple Steps and Best Practices for Forming an 51���� Chapter Specialty Contractors Council," the Council has compiled information from existing Chapter SCC structures, goals, and programs to offer ideas to developing Chapter SCCs.  This document, "Sample Mission Statements, Objectives, and Programs for 51���� Chapter Specialty Contractors Councils," can be found at www.agc.org/SCC_Chapters along with the updated Guide.  The website, linked off www.agc.org/SCC, also offers additional information about Chapter SCCs, including a list of existing Chapter SCCs along with their websites.  To contribute to these resources, please contact Cassia Griffin at griffinc@agc.org.

“Card Check” Would Impact Specialty Contractors – Be Informed!On March 10, the "so-called" Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) was introduced in both the House and the Senate.  EFCA would take away a worker's right to a federally supervised private ballot election when deciding whether or not to select union representation.  51���� supports the status quo, which allows both card-check recognition and secret-ballot elections to establish union representation and remains the most fair and reliable way to determine the desire of employees to be represented by a union. EFCA imposes unrealistically short deadlines for labor-management negotiations over a first contract before mandating third-party interference.  It allows a third party to dictate wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment.  For more about EFCA, visit 51����'s EFCA webpage.  Click here to contact your Representative and Senators regarding this important issue!

At the Specialty Contractors Council meeting Wednesday, March 4, Chair Doug Isaacs welcomed the SCC to San Diego and introduced Jim Slack as the incoming chair of the SCC.  Isaacs reviewed the activities of the SCC over the past year, including its research regarding retention, the upcoming retention panel at Convention, and resources for 51���� Chapters interested in forming Chapter SCCs. SCC members then participated in dynamic roundtable discussions regarding "hot topics" of interest to specialty contractors today.  Prior to the Convention, the SCC had been surveyed regarding which topics members wished to see addressed in this format, and the topics were consolidated into three groups; one table discussed card check (EFCA) and its related implications, another lien rights and payment & performance bonds, and the other immigration, E-Verify, workforce, and licensing.  Each table reviewed information about the topics, spoke about the issues from their perspectives and specific regional markets, and then reported their discussions back to the broader group.The SCC also presented "The Cash Flow Implications of Retention" on Friday, March 6.  Doug Isaacs began the session with a presentation of the results of a retainage survey completed by over 1,000 51���� specialty contractors in late 2008 that highlights the cash flow challenges retention poses.  Incoming Chair Jim Slack then introduced the document currently being drafted by the SCC to provide guidance to specialty contractors regarding retainage. Four panelists spoke regarding retention from their respective perspectives: Eric Hedlund, general contractor; Dan O'Brien, specialty contractor; Mike Anderson, surety; and Phil Beck, legal.  The panelists then answered questions, and attendees shared their own experiences with retention within their local markets.  With this input and the information gathered from the survey, the SCC anticipates completing the retainage guidance document later this year. Don't miss next year's 51���� Annual Convention to be held March 17-20, 2009 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, FL.

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