November 13, 2015

News

Attend Construction Insights 2015 – Busting the Construction Myths
VonLehman, Frost Brown Todd, alliantgroup and ACI, are once again sponsoring the 2015 version of Construction Insight.  The event format has changed, and the 2015 agenda is chock-full of interesting topics. You'll leave Construction Insights, 2015 with actionable information you can use in your business immediately.  The event agenda includes topics that discuss drones, large tax credits and incentives for construction industry, finding great talent and succession planning.

When:  Tuesday, November 17, 2015, 3P - 7P
Where: Great American Tower, 33rd Floor
              Offices of Frost Brown Todd
              301 E 4th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Business Casual Attire, Parking at Great American Tower will be validated. There is no cost for this event.

Click here to learn more! 

Click here to register!                   
                                                                                                               

2015 Ohio Geo/Storm Fair Coming Soon! 
The 2015 Ohio Geo/Storm Fair, sponsored by Meredith Brothers, Inc. will be held on Tuesday December 1^st.  The Fair provides 6 hours of CPD, and is offered to contractors and engineers from around Ohio and surrounding states. This year our topics will revolve around Stormwater remediation and geosynthetic solutions.

To receive more information about the 2015 Ohio Geo/Storm Fair, please click here.

To register for the event, please click here.

DERG Grants Available For Clean Diesel Projects;RFP Now Available

The Ohio Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Program awarded $20 million in Federal Highway Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for clean diesel projects in 2012-2013. The 2015 DERG Request for Proposals is now available and posted below. If you are not already on the list of DERG interested parties, please send your contact information to [email protected] in order to receive email notifications about the grant program.  

For questions about the grant program, please contact Carolyn Watkins at [email protected] or (614) 644-3768. For questions about eligible clean diesel technologies and estimating emissions reductions, please contact Alan Harness at [email protected] or (614) 644-4838.

DERG program overview slides October 2015
§  Request for Proposals
§  Appendix A: Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant Application Form 
§  Appendix B: DERG Fleet Data Reporting Spreadsheet
§  Appendix C: DERG Eligibility Chart by Vehicle Type
§  Appendix D: Map of CMAQ Eligible Counties and Townships in Ohio 
§  Appendix E: Sample Public-Private Partnership Agreement
§  Appendix F: Financial Requirements for Private Sector DERG Applicants
§  Appendix G: Sample Grant Agreements (LPA Agreement) for Public and Private Sector Projects
§  Appendix H: Diesel Vehicle/Equipment and Useful Life Guidelines
§  Appendix I
§  Buy America Guidance Form
§  Buy America Certification Form
§  Print Entire RFP and Application as a single PDF File
§  CMAQ Original Equipment Disposition Certification Form (for use by grant recipients AFTER grant award)
Application Timeline
      October 1, 2015:  RFP Released
§  October 8, 2015: Ohio EPA and ODOT representatives will be available to answer questions about the DERG program and the 2015 RFP from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Ohio Department of Transportation, 1980 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223

§  October 27, 2015:  9:00 a.m. conference call to take questions from prospective applicants
§  November 12, 2015: 1:00 p.m. conference call to take questions from prospective applicants

The information sessions and conference calls are optional.  Dial-in information is included in the RFP.  Ohio EPA will post a summary of questions and answers from each call onto the DERG program website a few days after the call.

§  December 1, 2015, 4:30 pm: Deadline to submit DERG applications at one of Ohio EPA’s offices.
§  January 15, 2016:  Ohio EPA expects to announce applications that are recommended for award

Eastern Ohio leads the race for Outstanding Chapter of the Year

The Eastern Ohio Chapter of OCA is currently leading the Chapter of the year contest followed by North Central Ohio and Columbus.

With a couple of weeks left until the Nov. 30 deadline there is still time to change these numbers! The Outstanding Chapter of the Year will be announced at the OCA Winter Conference in December.

Each chapter’s score is based on overall attendance, chapter membership growth, PAC contributions and community service. Bonus points for community service projects, which are ten percent of the overall chapter percentage points, have not been tallied as projects are still being completed for the year.  

Let us know how we can help you and thanks for supporting your OCA Chapter!     
 

Nominations Open for Don Conaway Partnering Awards

Projects may now be submitted for consideration in the 2016 Don Conaway Partnering Awards.  There are three awards given at the Conaway Conference every year – projects less than $5 million, between $5 million and $20 million, and above $20 million.  Click here for the nomination form.  The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, January 8, 2016.  Submit the nominations to:

Chase P. Wells, P.E.

ODOT Central Office | Div. of Construction Mgmt.

1980 West Broad Street | Mail Stop 4090

Columbus, Ohio 43223

[email protected]

Click here to see the Don Conaway Partnering Award announcement letter from ODOT Director Jerry Wray and OCA President Chris Runyan.  The ODOT/OCA Partnering Steering Committee is looking forward to your participation. 

OCA Annual Convention in the Dominican Republic
The deadline for deposits is this month!  This is the first time our association has been to the Dominican Republic. We have lined up an exciting week of activities:  Sessions, excursions, and our theme trip to Altos de Chavon. There are numerous sponsorship opportunities available as well. Contact Rachel Sirca about convention details or Emily Pickens about registering.  If you have not received the invitation or excursion details, contact Rachel or Emily.
                                                       

OTIC To Attend Heavy/Highway Meeting

Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) Assistant Chief Engineer Dennis Albrecht and Director of Contracts Mark Musson will be attending the next Heavy/Highway Specification Committee meeting.  The meeting will be held at OCA headquarters on Friday, November 20 at 10:00 a.m.  OCA and OTIC have been communicating on a regular basis recently and are exploring ways the two entities can work together to enhance the relationship between OCA members and OTIC.  All OCA members are welcome to attend the meeting, but please let Chris Engle know if you will be attending.

Transportation Bill Conference Committee Begins
Contact your Congressmen and Tell Them to Support a Long-Term Bill
 
This week, select members of the House and Senate –called conferees – began negotiations on resolving the differences between the two chambers’ long-term highway & transit bills.  However, with funding levels and duration yet to be agreed upon, negotiations are off to a slow start, which could result in yet another short-term extension if Congress does not reach a deal by November 20.  AGC – along with our members and chapters – has been a leader in the reauthorization process and advocated for the construction industry’s priorities in a letter to all conferees, detailing which provisions and policies should be included in a final transportation bill.  Please visit Hardhats for Highways and send a letter to your members of Congress, urging them to support a long-term highway & transit bill.

As reported in last week’s newsletter, the House bill included additional revenue that could potentially be used to fully fund either a five-year bill at levels above the Senate-passed DRIVE Act or a six-year bill at flat funding levels equal to what the House-passed STRRA included.  AGC joined other transportation stakeholders in sending a letter to House and Senate leaders and the conferees asking for a shorter authorization and increased funding levels.  As of this afternoon, no decision has been made on how Congressional leaders plan on using the additional revenue from the House provision.

AGC will continue to work with Congressional leaders and conferees to ensure that the final transportation bill provides increased funding levels and includes policies and priorities important to the construction industry.
                             
                                                                                                             

OCA Discount On Underground Storage Tank Compliance Class
If your company deals with underground storage tanks, you have a legal obligation to understand new EPA compliance regulations. 

                                                                                                              

BLR is conducting a Master Class on Underground Storage Tank Compliance in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.  This is a comprehensive 1-day workshop on new and ongoing regulatory requirements for operating, maintaining and inspecting UST’s. 

The class will be held at Embassy Suites, 5100 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, Ohio 43017.  The hotel phone number is (614) 790-9000.  Registration is 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.  The Conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

OCA’s Safety Department has arranged for a special discount for OCA members.  When you register, enter the discount code, “OCA”, to receive $97 off the program cost of $397.  There are additional discounts for multiple registrants from a single company.   Click on this link http://store.blr.com/ust-2015 for online registration; enter the discount code at checkout. You may also register by calling BLR’s Customer Service team at 800-727-5257 and referencing the discount code verbally.

If you have any questions, please contact Mark Potnick in the OCA office. 
                          

Estimating Competition Searching for a Project…
Every year the students participating in the OCA Estimating Competition use a previously-constructed project from one of our members.  Last year’s students estimated a roundabout in Dublin, Ohio, presented by George J. Igel & Co., Inc.  We are now looking for a new project for the 2016 competition. If you are willing to attend a couple of meetings to discuss your project, and give a presentation to those attending the competition, please contact Rachel Sirca at 614-488-0724 or [email protected].                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                     
2015 OCA Safety Awards                                                      
OCA’s annual safety award program is a great opportunity for our contractor members to showcase their safety programs and be recognized for their achievements.  All OCA members are encouraged to participate!

Awards are presented in several size divisions, based on total hours worked.  Recognition is also given to any contractors who worked accident and injury free during the year!   

This year’s winners will be announced during the Winter Conference Awards luncheon on December 8th at the Hilton Easton in Columbus.  Please click here to access the application form. The deadline date for submission is Friday, November 20, 2015. Please return the completed form at your earliest convenience so that your company will be in the running for OCA’s coveted safety award!  

If you have any questions about the Safety Awards Program, please contact Emily Pickens or Mark Potnick in the OCA office.  Please continue to keep worker safety and health at the forefront of all you do!  We’ll be looking for your application, and good luck! 
                                                                           
                                                       

Opportunities in Transportation Safety
The Ohio Chapter of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) is hosting Opportunities in Transportation Safety in conjunction with ODOT on March 3, 2016.

                                                                                                                                                                       

For more details about the conference or to submit questions for ODOT officials to address in the Ask the Owner Q&A session, please visit www.ohioatssa.com.
                                                                

Upcoming Events

Winter Conference 2015
This is our highest attended event of the year, packed with industry-relevant sessions and activities.  If you did not receive an invitation and would like one, please contact Rachel Sirca ([email protected]) or Emily Pickens ([email protected]) and we’ll be happy to send you an e-invitation.
                                   
                                             
                                                                                               

CESSWI Exam Review
GS&P will lead an 8-hour CESSWI examination review session. The session will cover material provided by Envirocert and the class will be conducted by Mark McCabe, a certified CESSWI instructor. The workbooks are included in the application registration fee and are sent to the registrant upon receipt of payment for the certification application. Lunch will be provided.

Important information before registering for this review course
To write the Exam, you must first gain approval through the CESSWI application process on or before December 15. Application approval can take up to 45 days.  Application forms are available on the web site at:  www.cesswi.org.

Click here to register or contact Emily Pickens via email at [email protected].

ODOT Plan Reading Course January 21 & 22, 2016
OCA’s Chris Engle will be instructing this plan reading course.  Chris spent 22 years with ODOT, with the last six years serving as District Deputy Director for District 5. Your training covers reading, understanding and using ODOT plans. Includes sections, profiles, quantity take-offs, and relationships between components of the plans. Concentrates on the highway portion (75%) with some focus on structures (25%).  The ideal candidate has been in the trades and is now doing foreman work or a clerical person who must answer various technical questions.  Includes lecture discussions and in-class use of plans. A calculator is needed. Class space will be limited.  $200 members / $225 non members.  Includes lunch.  To register, visit our website.  If you have trouble registering, contact Emily Pickens at 614-488-0724 or [email protected].

CPR / First Aid / AED / Bloodborne Pathogens Training At OCA
OCA has scheduled CPR/First Aid/AED/Bloodborne Pathogens training in its Columbus office on February 10, 2016 from 8 am to 12 pm.  Lunch will follow.  The 4-hour session will include the following:

INSTRUCTOR & COSTS

The training will be conducted by HTH Safety Solutions, LLC.  OCA has arranged for a great course discount of $70 per person.  The same certifications from the American Red Cross would cost $115! 

REGISTRATION

Please click here to register or contact Emily Pickens in the OCA office via email at [email protected].