“Millions of Dollars of Public Work Coming”, Public Agencies Report
By Brad Barnum, Vice President Government Relations

With the year half over, I thought it would be a good time to provide a review of our Industry Liaison Committees, which meet as often as six times a year to every four months.  The attendance at most of the committee meetings is the largest I have see in quite some time, which signals to me that many public works projects are on the way.  Let’s see what is in store for the next several months…

Airport – Chair: Jon Wald (Sundt Construction).  All eyes continue to be on the approval process of the Airport’s Master Plan and state legislation to change the governance structure of the Airport Authority.  A $67 million landfill remediation of the former Naval Training Center is on the horizon, which will allow for gate expansion of Terminal 2.   The recent approval of $350 million to fund facilities development projects will keep contractors busy. 

Caltrans – Chair: Jeff Turner (FCI Constructors).  The Caltrans Liaison Committee is set to have its third meeting of the year on July 20.  If it is anything like the meeting in April (Caltrans reported it will be paying $20-30 million a month in progress payments in 2008/09), good news should be on the way as the State of California continues to spend the nearly $20 billion in bonds that were approved by voters last November.

City of San Diego – Chair: Jeff Scheidel (Scheidel Contracting and Engineering).   With overdue financial audits being completed, and with the recent rate case approval to fund $1.2 billion of water and wastewater system improvements (specifically rehab/replacement of deteriorating water pipelines and improvements to wastewater pump stations and replacement of miles of pipeline), the City of San Diego is poised to put projects out on the street.  Expect the September 5 City Liaison Committee to be an informative one, and expect further discussion about the effectiveness of the subcontractor outreach program and proposed alternatives.

County of San Diego – Chair: Wes Wise (TC Construction).  Thanks to the passage of TransNet in 2004 and the recently passed state Propositions 1A and 1B, the County of San Diego is poised to spend millions of dollars on local street and road projects in the coming years.  The Capital Improvement Construction Program for Fiscal Year 07-08 is $34.4 million.  The General Services Department reports that there are “good years ahead”, including a $100 million Medical Exam / Veterinary Building bidding in August.

Navy – Chair: Marc Penick (T.B. Penick & Sons).  AGC meets twice a year with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest (NAVFAC).  There is good news and bad news to report about the year’s first meeting on April 24.  The good news:  hundreds of millions of dollars are anticipated to be spent in Fiscal Year 07-08 on Navy, Marine Corps, and defense military construction. 

The bad news: It has been proposed that a single $500 million contract be awarded to a contractor to build 32 Bachelors Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) on the West Coast in Fiscal Years 08-11.  If approved, it could result in less local contractor representation, less commitment to local small and disadvantaged business, and less use of local area trade workers.  AGC opposes this proposal and has expressed concerns to NAVFAC Southwest and to the local Congressional delegation. 

Port of San Diego – Chair: Dennis Uthe (PCL Construction).  Port work continues on the rise, especially major maintenance projects (expected to move from $10 million this year to $21 million in 2009).  Large construction projects in the future include a building/gangway assembly on the Broadway Pier, the Cruise Ship Terminal, the demolition of the Teledyne Ryan building, and the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.

Water Authority – Chair: Mark Filanc (JR Filanc Construction).  Contracting opportunities await firms that do pipelines, flow control facilities, and tunnels.  Although one of the projects will be part of the Emergency Storage Project Labor Agreement (the $10.2 million San Vincente Reservoir Interconnect), there are two upcoming jobs totaling more than $70 million (Mission Trails Pipeline Tunnel/Vent Demolition and Mission Trails Regulatory Structure II and Pipeline Tunnel).  A recently passed two-year budget includes $619 million for capital improvement projects and 11 major projects, one to raise the level of the San Vicente Dam.

Public Building Liaison Committee – Chair: Rick Cohen (Jaynes Corporation).  The committee has met four times this year, and members have heard from representatives of Palomar Community College District, Sweetwater Union High School District, San Diego Community College District, and San Diego State University.  The local school districts passed construction bond measures last November totaling over $2 billion.  San Diego State is revising its Master Plan, and numerous construction jobs await if the Master Plan is approved by California State University officials later this year. 

On behalf of Jim Ryan and AGC’s Board of Directors, I would like to thank each of the “volunteer” committee chairs for making these meetings a success. A “thank you” goes to all the committee members who also volunteer their time to attend the meetings.  The facilities directors, public works directors, and staff also should be commended for the hard work that is necessary to get projects off the shelf and out to bid.

Here’s to a successful second half of 2007 for the Industry Relations Committees!  If you would like information about the committees or would like to join one or more of them, please feel free to contact me at bbarnum@agcsd.org.

 

Building Information Modeling….BIM…AGC Members Ought to Attend this Seminar!!

Just when you thought you were up-to-date……you have everyone on the latest version of e-mail……your estimating is computerized…you even have some on screen take off…..you have electronic communications connecting your jobsites….you transmit your plans and specs online……your entire staff has a Blackberry……and you are considering paperless technology for your office………

And….all of a sudden you start seeing articles about BIM…Building Information Modeling…..

Then you go to an interview for a new project and a competitor is selected when you thought you had a lock on the job……you call the owner…and ask “what happened!”…..well the selection committee was impressed with the XYZ firm’s (Your competitor) BIM manager and the BIM Technology that they are bringing to the project.

Now you know that you should have paid more attention to the articles and perhaps attended a seminar or two…..

Well its not to late…..

Attached to this MMQB, please find a flyer detailing AGC’s upcoming seminar…

“Executive Briefing on BIM for Construction”

One of the largest builders in San Diego recently told his executive team…..”BIM is going to change the way all projects are built….we better understand it and understand it fast or we will be left behind”…..

That is good advice.  AGC’s BIM seminar scheduled for July 10^th from 9-11 am is an excellent opportunity for the executive staff of AGC member firms to get a detailed understanding of BIM and how it will effect the industry within the next few years.

AGC has arranged for Kenneth Stowe, P.E., a recognized construction technology and BIM expert employed by Autodesk, to conduct this session. Ken has recent “real world” construction jobsite experience and has the ability to show how important BIM will be in the day-to-day operations of construction projects.

So, spend two hours on July 10^th at the AGC learning about BIM…or spend a sleepless night after not being selected on the next project because you were not that familiar with BIM!

 

Meet your General Contractor - Pacific Building Group – July 26th

The AGC Specialty Contractors Council will present a "Meet Your General Contractor" event on Thursday, July 26 at 4:30 - 6:30 at the new offices of Pacific Building Group located at 9752 Aspen Creek Court, San Diego, 92126.

Greg Rogers of Pacific Building Group has agreed to be the featured GC and will have individuals from his organization ready for panel discussion dealing with estimating, subcontracts, field operations, contract awards, procedures and billings.   In business for 23 years, Pacific Building Group offers a distinctive 360 degree service, general contracting, tenant improvement and facilities maintenance.  Come and find out how this successful business operates and what to expect as a subcontractor.

Hosted appetizers and beverages will be provided compliments of Anderson Drilling and Tower Glass!

Make your reservations by completing the attached form and faxing to 858-558-8444.

 

Affiliate Day – August 6^th – SOLD OUT, BUT WE STILL NEED HOLE SPONSORS

AGC’s 68th Affiliate Day Golf Tournament promises to be the best ever.  The event sold out 8 weeks in advance, with over 300 golfers set to enjoy the two courses at Sycuan Resort at Singing Hills.  All 36 holes will have exhibits this year.  There are four hole sponsorships remaining. We also have space for those that would like to attend the cocktail party and dinner.  Forms are attached. 

For those that want to attend the dinner afterwards, there is still room. Please complete the attached banquet form.

 

PLEASE NOTE:
AGC OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 4^th AND RECOGNIZED AS A HOLIDAY ON PREVAILING WAGE PROJECTS.

AGC Summer Mixer- August 16th

Last October, when AGC had their official Open House to showcase the newly remodeled building, AGC staff and members commented that the AGC patio would be a great summer venue for a Mixer, therefore, we are pleased to introduce our brand new member, Zumasys who will be hosting the Mixer on August 16^th at the AGC. Zumasys located in Lake Forest, recently appeared on Computer Reseller News’ list of the 100 fastest growing IT solution providers in the United States.

These mixers have turned into a popular event offering AGC members the opportunity to mingle with business associates and gain new contacts.  A registration flyer is attached. Pre-registration is required. 

                                                                                               

“AGC Education & Training….Building a Solid Foundation”

The latest AGC Education Catalog (July –December 2007) is now posted on our website.
CLICK HERE FOR CATALOG   

Upcoming Construction Education and Safety Training Classes

JULY
Safety Training Classes
Fall Protection – July 18
CPR/First Aid – July 25
Mobile Crane Certification – July 23-27- contact Sam Iler, AGC Safety Director for registration at 619.654.4055 

JULY
Construction Education Training Classes
BIM- July 10
Blueprint 102- July 10
Sure Trak – July 12       
MAP Leadership – July 12
CQM- July 17-18 (Contractor Quality Management)

 

JULY          
July 11- Safety Committee – 7AM
July 17- HR Meeting – 11 AM
July 17 – Electronic Age- 7 AM
July 20- Caltrans – 8 AM
July 26 – Meetings & Events – 12 PM

 

UPCOMING AGC EVENTS
July 20 – Day at the Races –   SOLD OUT
July 26 – “Meet Your GC” at Pacific Building Group
August 6 – Affiliate Day Golf Tournament – Singing Hills- SOLD OUT!
August 16- AGC Mixer – AGC outdoor patio
October 12- Midway Mixer
November 1 - Build San Diego Awards