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President's Letter
Dear Friends,
As I enter the last few months of my term as the AIC National President I want to update you on a few initiatives I have spoken about over the past year.
One included the opportunity for the AIC to connect with University programs. It has been great to hear stories from our CPC’s and members who have visited with programs. I look forward to increasing our relationship with these programs and also the associations that serve them such as the ACCE and ASC. One initiative that we have outlined for closer collaboration with university programs is a major update to the Associate Constructor Exam Study Guide. We are asking universities that use the examination and industry professionals to help us update our study materials, so we can provide our candidates with the best possible chance to prepare for the exam. If you wish to participate on this task force please contact Joe Sapp, joe@professionalconstructor.org.
Another opportunity I identified was to provide our members with more education opportunities. The past few months we have not only launched the AIC University, which will provide our members with high quality on demand training programs, but also launched a new AIC Webinar Program. We have also partnered with companies like Lorman Education and Construction Pro Network to provide our members with deep discounts to their education programs. We not only want to provide our members with training, but also help direct them to where they can get the training they need.
Speaking of educational opportunities, we have also planned a fantastic Annual Forum this April in Greenville, SC. We have put together a stellar lineup of speakers for our attendees, in addition to some fun networking events. I am particularly excited that each session will be made available for purchase in AIC University for those that cannot attend in person. Attendees will have free access to these sessions.
In closing, we have and will continue to work hard at providing our members with a first class membership experience. For those of you that are CPCs and ACs that have not yet joined the AIC as a member, I challenge you to do so this year. As an organization we have dramatically increased the value of an AIC Membership and will continue to do so. As I am sure you are with your professional careers, we are not satisfied with the status quo. We will continue to find new ways to improve the return on your membership investment and improve what it means to be an AIC Member. Join us today and be a part of that, help us continue our growth together as an organization.
See you in Greenville!
David Fleming, CPC, DBIA
AIC National President, 2013-2014
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AIC University Update
Over the past month AIC Members have had the opportunity see the new AIC University portal. As a subscriber to the AIC Constructor News you are now able to gain access as well. A larger announcement will be made soon, but I invite you to see what courses we now have available within AIC U, as well as sessions that will be made available in the coming months, including all of the Annual Forum presentations. For more information about how to take a course in AIC U please click here.
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2014 AIC Annual Forum Mobile App
Attending the 2014 Annual Forum? Download the all new 2014 Annual Forum Mobile App! Now available for download in the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store for Android phones.
Not yet registered? Make plans to join us in Greenville, SC April 14-16. Early registration rates are available until March 15. Click here for more information about the Annual Forum.
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Mr. Ethics - February 2014
Dear Mr. Ethics,
We have a subcontractor that has provided us with a bid that left out a couple of key design areas. We asked the subcontractor about this and expressed our concern that their bid amount does not cover this work. The subcontractor vigorously defended its bid and insists that it will complete the entire scope of its work for its bid amount if we award the contract to them. They also argued that as the lowest bidder they are due the subcontract. None of us here think they can do the work for their bid amount. Is it unethical to deny them the subcontract? What should we do?
Regards, Jim
Dear Jim,
You have acted ethically in providing the subcontractor with an opportunity to explain their bid and position with regard to same. The action you take next does not involve ethics but making a hard business decision. You do not owe the subcontractor with a contract. I would recommend that you contact counsel regarding the potential legal ramifications of having the subcontractor default during the project if you decide to award them the subcontract.
Regards, Mr. Ethics
Read other Mr. Ethics Articles
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A Message from our Annual Forum Sponsor, the Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) is proud to support AIC’s Annual Forum this April in Greenville, S.C., for the second year in a row. ABC’s Friend Level sponsorship shows its commitment to constructors and support of professionalism, excellence, and high ethical standards as core values every construction professional should practice to improve the construction industry.
ABC is a national trade association representing 22,000 members from more than 19,000 construction- and industry-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. ABC's membership represents all specialties in the construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry. ABC primarily focuses on politics and policy, safety, and education and training.
ABC was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md., to create an association based on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. The courage and dedication of those seven contractors—Charles Mullan, C.K. Wells, Jr., Philip Cloves, Ernest Shultz, Edward Colwill, Charles Knott and Edward Dickinson—helped to quickly spread the merit shop philosophy and make ABC the fastest growing association in the United States. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America's business community and the merit shop construction industry.
We sincerely thank AIC for their Friend Level sponsorship of ABC’s Workforce Development Conference being held this April in Birmingham, Ala. The conference promises to combine forward-thinking educational sessions, an interactive exhibit hall, networking events, and the National Craft Championships (NCC) – gathering the best that the industry has to offer all under one roof. For more information, visit wdc.abc.org.
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Call for Papers
The AIC journal, The Professional Constructor, is accepting manuscript submissions for consideration in the Fall 2014 issue. To be acceptable, a paper shall be of value and interest to constructors. It should contain original composition in such areas as: past practice, current interest and trends, suggested new fields of activity or results of constructed related research. All papers should contribute to the advancement of the industry and the professional constructor.
For information pertaining to the journal and the article submission process please visit: http://www.professionalconstructor.org/journal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jason Lucas at jlucas2@clemson.edu
If you are interested in having a manuscript considered for the Fall 2014 issue, please submit it for review to jlucas2@clemson.edu by April 30. Any manuscripts received after this date will be reviewed and considered for later issues.
Thank you for your support of the AIC and The Professional Constructor.
Jason Lucas, Editor
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AIC Invites You to Register and Attend ASA’s Convention, SUBExcel 2014, Featuring Valuable FMI Education Workshops
The American Institute of Constructors invites you to register and attend ASA’s annual convention, SUBExcel 2014, which will take place March 6-8, 2014, at the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans, La. The convention education program features six valuable education modules presented by FMI that AIC members won’t want to miss! Gregg Schoppman, a principal specializing in productivity and project management, will present: “The New Normal in Construction,†“Innovation — Construction 2.0,†“Creating Operational Excellence,†“Developing World Class Talent,†“Customers-centric Construction,†and “Going From the Knowing to the Doing.â€
Register securely online — or complete a printable registration form and email it to meetings@asa-hq.com — and reserve your hotel room at the New Orleans Marriott by the Feb. 11, 2014, early-bird deadline. For complete details, visit www.SUBExcel.com, and read the convention brochure.
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Upcoming Events
AIC Events
April 5, 2014 - AC & CPC Certification Exams
Hoping to take the AC or CPC exam this April? Register before March 5. Becoming certified gives you formal recognition of the skills and knowledge you possess as a construction professional.
April 14-16, 2014 - Annual Forum
Join us in Greenville, SC April 14-16 for the AIC Annual Forum. Hear from industry experts on a range of topics from technology to leadership and ethics. The Annual Forum is a must attend event for AIC Members, CPCs and ACs.
Upcoming Construction Pro Network Webinars
AIC Members Receive a 30% Discount.
February 25, 2014 - Making Guaranteed Maximum Price Contracts (GMP) Work for You
February 27, 2014 - Pricing Design Deficiency Claims: Keys to Success
Upcoming Lorman Education Events
Members receive a 20% discount on all orders. You may register online or call Lorman at 866-352-9539. Please use Priority Code 16079 and Discount Code H1893803 when registering. Click here to find more events.
February 25, 2014 - Fundamentals of Construction Contracts in California: Understanding the Issues - Live Event
February 25, 2015 - Writing an Employee Handbook - Live Webinar
March 4, 2014 - Contractor's Dilemma of Dealing With Bad Plans and Specs - Live Webinar
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