AGC, ASA Announce New Partnership

The construction industry will soon benefit from the collaboration of the American Subcontractors Association and the Associated General Contractors of America. AGC President Larry C. Gaskins and ASA President Anne Bigane Wilson signed a partnering agreement on Nov. 9, 2002, in which ASA and AGC announced their intention to cooperate to "help better serve construction users."

Under the agreement, ASA and AGC pledge to "work jointly on industry guidelines, documents and procedures that advance efficient project delivery and promote equitable risk allocation." To facilitate the collaboration, ASA and AGC are opening new lines of communication at all levels to ensure that the organizations can work efficiently together to find solutions that benefit the construction industry.

"Contractors at all tiers have a responsibility to their customers and one another to help projects move along in a safe, expeditious and mutually profitable manner," said ASA's Wilson. "This agreement creates the common ground that subcontractors and general contractors need to make this vision a reality. ASA is eager to see what we can accomplish together for the industry."

"AGC has worked diligently to bring together all parties to the construction process to work collaboratively on behalf of our owner clients," said AGC President Gaskins. "The critical link in this collaboration is between specialty and general contractors working as a team to deliver the best possible project."

The agreement states: "AGC and ASA agree that the fundamental principle that will guide their partnership is that risk should be borne by the entity best able to manage the risk." Individual leaders, committees, and staff of ASA and AGC will consider legislative, educational and other potential areas for collaboration that would benefit the industry.

Florida Regulatory Body Proposes More Open RFP

Private power developers are cheering a Florida Public Service Commission proposal to modify a 1994 rule governing utility solicitations for new generation capacity. State law prohibits merchant generation, but developers have responded to requests for proposals from investor-owned utilities.

Florida Partnership for Affordable Competitive Energy (PACE), Longwood, Fla., an association of independent power producers, has complained that the solicitation process is unfair and lacks openness and clarity, noting that no IOU has awarded a power-purchase agreement to a wholesale power-generating company in the eight years that the bid rule has been in effect.

"The purpose is to make sure the RFP is clear up front, so everyone knows what the rules are," said Tom Ballinger, PSC engineering supervisor. The utilities have threatened to challenge PSC's authority to change the rule. Source: Engineering News-Record.

Central Florida Construction Career Days Announced

Oliver North will deliver the keynote address at this year's Innovations in Concrete Show & Conference (INCON), announced The Florida Concrete & Products Association. FC&PA is the coordinator and major sponsor of the event, scheduled for Sept. 25-27 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee.

INCON is designed for individuals and organizations interested in the development and deployment of concrete and concrete-related products. The event combines educational opportunities with trade show activities such as new products/technologies demonstrations, exhibits, and a variety of expert speakers. Last year, INCON attracted more than 1,700 attendees and 100 exhibitors.

Jorge Garcia Named Small Business Leader of the Year

Various construction industry associations will sponsor a "Central Florida Construction Career Days" event, to be held April 1 and 2 at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando.

Sponsoring the event are: the Florida Transportation Builders Association, the Mid-Florida Utility and Transportation Contractors Association, the Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida, and the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers.

The show will be open to high-school and vocational-technical school students from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on both days. Adults will be welcome from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. the evening of April 1.

For further information, interested parties may contact any of the following: Amy Scales, resident engineer, District 5 Interstate Construction, (386) 943-5729; Julie Kershner, MFU&TCA, (407) 831-6010; Frank Rudd, FICE, (850) 224-7121; Jim Warren, ACAF, (850) 222-7300; or Alice Rasmussen, FTBA, (954) 938-0061.

S.I. Goldman Co. Donates to Second Harvest

S.I. Goldman Co. Inc./Comfort Systems USA, a mechanical contracting services company based in Longwood, recently presented the results of its Sixth Annual Cool Food Drive. This year's effort included the collection of 1,555 pounds of non-perishable food, along with a $1,000 check to Second Harvest Food Bank.

The event marks S.I. Goldman Co.'s sixth consecutive donation to Central Florida's largest non-profit food distribution organization. Since 1997, the company has contributed 13,098 pounds of food, and $8,300 to help feed the hungry.

"Each year we all look forward to helping with this company-wide effort to help provide our neighbors with one of life's essentials," said John C. Martin, president and CEO of S.I. Goldman Co./Comfort Systems USA.

Among other services, Second Harvest Food Bank is the central distributor of food essentials for feeding programs in 11 Central Florida counties, including: Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, St. Lucie and Volusia.

MSI Founder Contributes $21,000 to Orlando Charity

William M. Dillard, founder of Mechanical Services, Inc. (MSI) of Orlando and Tampa Bay, recently presented a $21,358 check to Frontline Outreach President Arto Woodley, Jr. during ceremonies at MSI's 18th Annual HVAC Seminar and Golf and Tennis Benefit Tournament. This year's event marked its 13th consecutive year of support for Frontline Outreach, during which time the company and its business associates have contributed over $228,000 to the Orlando-based charitable organization.

Said Dillard, "Together with the outpouring support of our longtime business partners, we are proud to have broken the $225,000 level of cash contributions and anticipate increased support in the coming years."

Almost 40 years ago, Frontline Outreach founders C.R. and Estelle Smith began giving of themselves in support of Orlando's less fortunate people. Frontline Outreach now has scores of dedicated workers who strive daily to prepare tomorrow's leaders for success and service through early childhood education and leadership programs.

Kaufman Lynn Named Business of the Year

Kaufman Lynn General Contractors, with offices in Boca Raton and Orlando, announced it has been selected as "South Florida's Business of the Year" in the Real Estate, Construction and Design (over $10 million) category. The award was part of the South Florida Business Journal's 2003 Business of the Year Awards.

The program honored companies based on company growth and financial performance, employee improvement and benefits programs and for their commitment to their local community.

Firm to Acquire Central Florida Peterbilt Dealership

San Antonio-based Rush Enterprises, which operates the largest network of Peterbilt heavy-duty truck dealerships in North America, announced it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Orange County Truck and Trailer, a Peterbilt dealer in central Florida.

The pending acquisition will provide Rush with the exclusive rights to sell Peterbilt trucks and parts from three new locations in central Florida, including Orlando and Tampa Bay. Rush currently operates 35 truck locations in seven states.

Rush intends to operate the acquired company as a full-service Peterbilt franchise, and will begin to integrate its operations into the Rush Truck Center system upon completion of the transaction. The Orange County dealership had 2001 revenues of approximately $55.7 million and $39.7 million during the first nine months of 2002. Rush anticipates the total purchase price for Orange County will be approximately $6.0 million.

Suffolk Construction Gives $1,000 to Young Art Students

Suffolk Construction Co., West Palm Beach, is standing behind the students at Dreyfoos School of the Arts. The students' assignment was to create artwork, whether abstract or realistic, that reflected the construction work as viewed from their classroom window. The students used such props as: hard hats, ladders and even sounds of construction on a portable boom box.

Suffolk Construction was so impressed by the artwork that the company decided to choose two winners and provide each with a $500 check and a plaque for outstanding artistic talent. The students that were chosen for the prizes were Whitney Sharp for her mixed-media collage, and Blake Greene for her colored marker drawing.