Author: agcnews

When choosing between the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and ConsensusDocs design-build contract documents, owners and contractors must understand how each will yield vastly different results on critical issues such as managing timely and sufficient design services. Both ConsensusDocs and the AIA publish coordinated families of standard design-build contract documents. This article explores why ConsensusDocs offers more balanced provisions that better protect design-builders and owners, making it a more favorable choice for managing design services effectively. Design-build has become well-established as a project delivery method. While AIA standard documents are more commonly used for design-bid-build projects, the ConsensusDocs contract documents…

Here is the background. The Inflation Reduction Act empowered the federal agencies to explore the use of construction materials that have a lower embodied carbon (lower emissions associated with their life cycle). On August 7, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new carbon labeling program for construction materials. AGC provided feedback earlier this year on the draft. What construction materials does this apply to? The new labeling program is intended to help federal agencies identify and source lower embodied carbon construction materials. EPA has identified four initial materials based on the amounts purchased with federal funds: steel, glass, asphalt, and concrete. Do I…

In the last few years there has been a lot of action on environmental review and permitting reform. Whether it is new rules issued by the Biden Administration or reforms pushed by Congress, AGC has all of the details to help you understand them. The Latest Rule: On July 1st, the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) final rule implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Phase II regulations went into effect. The rule elevates climate and community impacts to the NEPA permitting process – requiring extensive review of effects, alternatives analysis, and mitigation on top of an already protracted…

With the addition of two new federal bid protests, AGC is aware that four AGC-member construction firms have now filed federal bid protests objecting to project solicitations that require a project labor agreement (PLA). All four protests have led the government to voluntarily suspend the contract awards for the procurements while the protests are still pending. As reported recently in this article, the protests utilize a legal theory that AGC helped create with outside counsel at Fox Rothschild. All four protests are pending before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. In at least two of these cases, the government is now…

Get started with Lean Why should you adopt Lean Construction? Learn more from these quick start guides authored by the Lean Construction Committee. The Committee encourages all to share it with their colleagues and print a few copies for site offices to spark conversations. Why Should YOU Adopt LEAN? – How Do I Start? Why Should YOU Adopt LEAN? Develop expertise in Lean Below you will find a list of books curated by the Lean Construction Committee aimed at furthering your journey in Lean Construction. The Lean Builder: A Builder’s Guide to Applying Lean Tools in the FieldBy Jesus D…

The James L. Allhands Essay was established by the late James L. Allhands, one of the founding members of AGC and a prolific writer of construction-related works. The award recognizes a student essay on a specific topic that is deemed to be beneficial to the advancement of technological, educational, or vocational expertise in the construction industry. The competition is open to any senior–level student in a four or five–year ABET or ACCE–accredited university construction management or construction–related engineering program. This year’s topic: “How will AI change the construction industry in the next 5 years. What will the role of artificial…

Look through the updated agenda topics for the industry’s premier annual conference to explore today’s most pressing issues and future trends. AGC’s Highway, Transportation and Utility Infrastructure Construction Conference will bring together contractors, owners and key industry constituents involved in every aspect of highway, bridge, transit, airport runway, rail, and utility infrastructure construction for a three day-long program focusing on industry trends, best practices, and preparation for upcoming technological advances that will transform the way you work. The conference will take place at the tropical Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort in Bonita Springs, FL. You’ll have the opportunity to relax with other attendees by joining a…

The construction sector added 25,000 jobs in July as wage gains continued to outpace increases in the broader economy, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials said the biggest challenge for the industry remains finding enough workers to keep pace with demand and urged public officials to boost support for construction education and training programs. “The construction industry has maintained a steady pace of employment gains even as job growth has cooled in other sectors,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Both residential and nonresidential construction firms are adding workers,…

Every year, during September — National Suicide Prevention Month — the construction industry dedicates a week to raising awareness about the unique challenges workers face in construction that may lead to suicide and what we can do to help prevent it. Join the movement by registering your company at ConstructionSuicidePrevention.com and use the resources provided to plan activities with your workers during Suicide Prevention Week, September 9 – 13. Learn More and Register

Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe. Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help get your program started, energize an existing one, or provide a chance to recognize your safety successes. Participations is as easy as 1-2-3! LEARN MORE