CAWV LEGISLATIVE BULLETINS AND ALERTS TO BEGIN MONDAY, JANUARY 17

Starting Monday, January 17, members will receive, via e-mail, the CAWV Legislative Bulletin. It will contain up-to-the-minute information on issues affecting the contracting industry and association members. The Legislative Bulletin will not be included with the weekly Newsletter. The 2011 legislative session kicked off on Wednesday, January 12, and the association will be working diligently to keep members informed on the latest issues being discussed and debated. In addition to the Monday morning Legislative Bulletins, the CAWV will be sending out Legislative Alerts throughout the coming weeks to members via email.   Members will be encouraged to contact their senators and delegates on key legislative issues. The State Capitol addresses and phone number of every senator and delegate is available at http://www.legis.state.wv.us/.

CONTACT THE CAWV TO SCHEDULE BID DATES TO MAXIMIZE BIDDER PARTICIPATION

One of the many services the CAWV provides to the construction industry is the compilation of announcements for projects upcoming for bid. These projects are announced weekly through the Newsletter and immediately through our internet planroom, iSqFt. Due to the increased number of projects, bid dates for major projects have been scheduled on the same day or close to one another. To provide a service to contractors, designers and owners, the CAWV established in 1995 a bid clearinghouse so a project’s bid date won’t conflict with an already established bid date for another project.

The way the program works, an architect, engineer or owner will call Amber Stotts at the CAWV and tell her what date is planned for the bid opening. She will check the scheduled bids to see if the date conflicts with another project. They can then select that date or choose another if that date is already reserved. In certain instances, a project must be bid on a particular date. In this case, the projects will just have to conflict and contractors will have to determine if they wish to bid both or only one project.

The clearinghouse is completely voluntary and free of charge. It is aimed at providing architects, engineers, contractors and owners an opportunity to get the best bids possible. To inquire about a bid date, contact Amber Stotts at (304) 342-1166 or at planroom@cawv.org. A letter was sent this week to all engineers working in West Virginia reminding them of this valuable service.

SENATOR MANCHIN MEETS WITH BUSINESS GROUPS

Senator Joe Manchin, D-WV, and members of his staff met Tuesday with representatives of various groups, including the CAWV, to discuss issues important to West Virginia’s business community. He outlined actions taken during the recent lame duck session of Congress and what he foresees in the new Congress. Sen. Manchin expressed concern over the U.S. EPA’s apparent bias against coal and noted he will continue to work with the Obama administration to promote coal. (The meeting occurred before the announcement yesterday that the EPA vetoed Arch Coal’s proposal for a 2,300 acre mining permit in Logan County).  On issues important to the CAWV, he stated he was opposed to the House Republican passed rules package which repeals the guaranteed funding requirement for annual highway investment. West Virginia’s newest senator wrote Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) urging him to reconsider the proposed rule. “At a time when so many Americans are looking for jobs, they should not have to endure another major economic setback - particularly one that would threaten so many jobs and the fabric of our national transportation infrastructure.” (See the January 7, 2011 CAWV Newsletter for more on this issue).

On highways, Senator Manchin stated he does not think the federal gas tax can be raised to generate highway funding, even though the last gas tax increase was 1993. He wanted to know what tax issues were important to the business community. The CAWV expressed concern over the new bill mandating a three percent withholding for government contracts which threatens contractors who work for a federal or state agency. Implementation of Section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 has been postponed due to opposition by the construction industry but it is scheduled to go into effect in 2012. The AGC of America and CAWV continue to work on repeal of this legislation which could severely impact a contractor’s cash flow. The Senator expressed interest in finding a solution and the CAWV will be working with his staff on possible remedies.

HAVE YOU UPDATED YOUR ONLINE PROFILE?

The CAWV’s new website, www.cawv.org, features a fully searchable membership database. This allows the association to make our member’s contact information and work categories available to public users searching the system. Over 150 members have entered their work categories and locations since the site was rolled out in December.

CAWV members who have not done so are encouraged to log in to the new website and update their work categories. The Association gets frequent calls from general contractors, private owners and others seeking specific products and services offered by our members. The new website gives them the ability to search for the trades and services they are seeking. Each company has a very brief online profile, but is able to log in to the site and add their work categories to ensure the right information is displayed to the public.

The primary contact for each company received login credentials, but each member is able to access the system. Please don’t hesitate to call the CAWV to request login credentials at (304) 342-1166.

CAWV MEMBERS RECEIVE SAFETY AWARD PROGRAM QUESTIONNAIRE

Each year, the CAWV Safety and Crime Prevention Committee invites members of the association to participate in the Safety Award Program. Awards are presented at EXPO in March to companies who have exhibited excellence in safety at the workplace. Members participating in the program are scored on their documented safety policies and procedures, their commitment and approach to safety and health, as well as their recorded statistical data for the year. Special attention is given to the quality of safety training provided to employees and to companies who demand active employee involvement in their safety process.

All association members have received entry information for the 2010 awards cycle, and forms are available at www.cawv.org or can be downloaded by using the following links:

Information is due by Friday, February 4, 2011. A panel of safety professionals, owner representatives and insurance experts judge the participants. Finalists are chosen from contractors and associates who achieve an excellent performance rating. Awards are presented in the following categories: Building Division, Utility Division, Industrial Division, Specialty Contractor Division and Associate Division. For additional information, contact Pat McDonald at (304) 342-1166 or pmcdonald@cawv.org.                 

CAWV MIDYEAR MEETING APPROACHING, SPONSORS STILL BEING ACCEPTED

Nearly 150 members are registered for the 2011 CAWV Midyear Meeting, being held at the Fiesta Americana Resort and Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, January 28 to February 2, 2011. The meeting will feature a number of social and island activities to complement the informative business sessions. The opening night reception is sponsored by the CAWV Associate Division. Members who would like to sponsor the reception can contact Wendy Long at (304) 342-1166 or email at long@cawv.org.

A very special thanks to our sponsors (as of Jan. 14, 2011)

Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love

Brown Edwards & Company, CPAs

General Truck Sales a division of Worldwide Equipment

Mountain State Insurance Agency

Permatile Concrete Products Company

Pounding Mill Quarry Corporation

Rollins Cleavenger & Rollins

CAWV ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS

The CAWV Scholarship Foundation Board of Trustees wants to remind members that they are currently accepting applications from eligible West Virginia college/university students for the 2011 annual award of $4,000. Also, in years past, the foundation has made several additional awards to students for their academic achievements. All CAWV members are encouraged to promote the annual scholarship program. Also, any member who knows of a deserving West Virginia college resident - sophomore, junior or senior - who meets the qualifications for the monetary award should advise them to complete and return an application form. Application deadline is February 25. Additional information, including an application, may be obtained online atwww.cawv.org or by contacting Pat McDonald at (304) 342-1166 or pmcdonald@cawv.org.

AGC 2011 CONSTRUCTION HIRING AND BUSINESS OUTLOOK - JAN. 24 AT 2PM

AGC, along with co-sponsor Navigant Consulting, will host a conference call on Monday, January 24 at 2pm to release the results of the third annual Construction Hiring and Business Outlook. AGC’s CEO Stephen Sandherr, Chief Economist Ken Simonson and Navigant’s Managing Director for Construction Michael Feigin will review the survey results and answer questions. Each year, AGC surveys its member firms for details on their business and hiring plans for the year. These results help AGC understand the year to come for the construction industry and tailor its legislative, media and educational programs accordingly. Nearly 1,300 firms responded to the 2011 survey. To learn more about the results, dial in to the conference call on Monday, January 24 at 2pm ET. Call in information is as follows: U.S. Toll Free Dial In 1-888-299-4099 - Verbal Passcode: VT31748

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER WVCN ON MEMBERS’ DESKS ~ PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY ADVERTISING BEING ACCEPTED

The November/December issue of West Virginia Construction News should have arrived on members’ desks this week. Inside the issue, see the annual forecast for construction in West Virginia, a evaluation of West Virginia’s economy by AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson, a recap of the Young Contractors forum with Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, and tips for successful software implementation.

Members who are interested in placing an advertisement in the WVCN Professional Directory are encouraged to fill out and return the attached placement order. WVCN has a limited amount of space available for new advertisers. For a yearly cost of $195 for 1" or $390 for 2", ads are distributed in all six issues of the magazine to state and federal contracting agencies, legislators, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. Anyone interested should contact Lindsay Stephens at lstephens@cawv.org or (304) 342-1166 as soon as possible to ensure space availability.

CANSTRUCTION TEAM RAISING FUNDS FOR EVENT

CAWV Young Contractors are finalizing plans for the Canstruction competition. The committee has met and chosen a structure to build. Canstruction is an annual competition where teams of professionals within the design and construction industry compete to build incredible structures made entirely of canned foods. The competition is open to the public, who are invited to view the structures by donating food as an entry fee. The committee ordered nearly 1,800 pounds of food last year, which were donated to the Covenant House Food Pantry following the competition.  

“Canstruction competitions raise tons of food each year for those less fortunate,” said Committee Chairman Rob Williams. “We are proud to be participating again this year.” The committee is accepting donations for the nearly $2000 food purchase. Contributions are tax deductible. Checks should be made out to Covenant House and submitted to the Contractors Association of West Virginia. For additional information, contact Lindsay Stephens at (304) 342-1166 or lstephens@cawv.org.  

EXPO AND JANUARY 15 – CAPTURE THE SAVINGS

Don’t let the opportunity to save $50 per exhibit booth pass you by. Complete your contract on-line at www.wvexpo.com or get it postmarked by January 15 to capture the early payment booth discount of $50 per exhibit booth. The March 23 and 24 trade show is rapidly taking shape and the sponsors plan to announce the seminar line-up and open on-line registration in the near future. Firms that cannot exhibit but want some valuable exposure at the show can sign up as Honor Exhibitor and be listed in the Professional Directory section of the show program, be part of two PowerPoint slide shows featured at EXPO and be on the website a full year. Visit www.wvexpo.com for more details or call (304)342-3976. Program advertising space is also still available - call (304)993-2724 to reserve space.

 

**Plans in CAWV Physical Plan Room                                                                                      January 14, 2011

^ Plans in Internet Plan Room (IPR) at www.isqft.com

# Named as plan holder but plans not yet received

** All dates are on a Tuesday except January 19, June 1 and September 7

 

TOILET RENOVATIONS, MONARCH STADIUM, MARSHALL COUNTY

(iSqFt Project ID# 1228470) Bids will be accepted until 1:00 PM on 02/02/2011 for toilet renovations at Monarch Stadium in Moundsville. A pre-bid meeting will be held on 01/18/2011 at 1:00 PM at the Marshall County Board of Education, 2700 Fourth Street, Moundsville. Bids should be submitted to the Marshall County Board of Education, Nan Hartley, 2700 Fourth Street, Moundsville, WV 26041 (304)843-4400. Plans and specifications are available from McKinley & Associates, Inc., 32 Twentieth Street, The Maxwell Centre, Suite 100, Wheeling, WV 26003 (304)233-0140. Plans and specifications are expected in the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

SOFFIT AND AWNING REPLACEMENT, JEFFERSON COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING

(iSqFt Project ID# 1228450) Bids will be accepted until 1:00 PM on 01/31/2011 for soffit and awning replacement at the Jefferson County Council on Aging in Ranson. Bids should be submitted to the Jefferson County Council on Aging, Executive Director Amy Wellman, 103 West 5th Avenue, Ranson, WV 25438 (304)725-4044. Plans and specifications are available from the Jefferson County Council on Aging, Executive Director Amy Wellman, 103 West 5th Avenue, Ranson, WV 25438 (304)725-4044. Plans and specifications are being requested for the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

ARCHITECTS, BOND MASTER PLAN, HARDY COUNTY SCHOOLS

(iSqFt Project ID# 1229060) Architectural proposals will be accepted until 4:00 PM on 02/21/2011 for developing a Bond Master Plan to provide design and construction administration for Hardy County schools. Proposals should be submitted to the Hardy County Board of Education, 510 Ashby Street, Moorefield, WV 26836 (304)530-2348.

HVAC AND DOOR IMPROVEMENTS, CITY OF MANNINGTON

(iSqFt Project ID# 1229010) Bids will be accepted until 9:00 AM on 02/02/2011 for Contract 1: HVAC improvements and Contract 2: Exterior door installation for the city hall and annex buildings in Mannington. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on 01/19/2011 at 9:00 AM at the City of Mannington, 206 Main Street, Mannington. Bids should be submitted to the City of Mannington, Michele Fluharty, 206 Main Street, Mannington, WV 26582 (304)624-4108. Plans and specifications are available from the City of Mannington, Michele Fluharty, 206 Main Street, Mannington, WV 26582 (304)624-4108. Plans and specifications are being requested for the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

(iSqFt Project ID# 1229653) Architectural/Engineering proposals will be accepted until 3:00 PM on 01/24/2011 for design proposals of a 24,000 SF multi-level medical facility in Huntington. Proposals should be submitted to Valley Health Systems, Inc., Steve Shattls, 2585 Third Avenue, Huntington, WV 25703 (304)525-3334.

HVAC SERVICES, HIGHER EDUCATION CAPITAL PROJECTS, VARIOUS COUNTIES

(iSqFt Project ID# 1229646) Expressions of Interest will be accepted until 3:00 PM on 01/26/2011 for an open-end contract for HVAC commissioning services for various LEED and non-LEED education capital projects throughout West Virginia. Bids should be submitted to the WV Higher Education Commission, Chief Procurement Officer, 1018 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Suite 700, Charleston, WV 25301 (304)327-4065.

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS, LAKESIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ADDITIONS, PUTNAM COUNTY

(iSqFt Project ID# 1229640) Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 PM on 01/25/2011 for geotechnical engineering proposals for the additions to Lakeside Elementary School in Hurricane. Proposals should be submitted to the Putnam County Board of Education, Scott Coyner, 9 Courthouse Drive, Winfield, WV 25213 (304)586-0500.

HVAC REPLACEMENT, HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER, WVU, MONONGALIA COUNTY

(iSqFt Project ID# 1230122) Bids will be accepted until 3:00 PM on 02/22/2011 for HVAC replacement at the MPRT Medical Center Station for the Health Science Center at WVU in Morgantown. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on 02/01/2011 at 10:00 AM at WVU-MPRT Engineering Maintenance Facility, Campus Drive, Morgantown. Bids should be submitted to WVU Procurement, Mark Stewart, P. O. Box 6024, One Waterfront Place, Morgantown, WV 26506 (304)293-5711. Plans and specifications are available from WVU Procurement, Mark Stewart, P. O. Box 6024, One Waterfront Place, Morgantown, WV 26506 (304)293-5711. Plans and specifications are available for viewing in the CAWV Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

ACOUSTICAL RENOVATIONS, BAND ROOM, PRESTON HIGH SCHOOL

(iSqFt Project ID# 1231177) Bids will be accepted until 1:30 PM on 02/01/2011 for acoustical renovations to the Preston High School band room in Kingwood. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on 01/26/2011 at 1:30 PM at the Preston County Board of Education, 300 Preston Drive, Kingwood. Bids should be submitted to the Preston County Board of Education, Neil Likins, 300 Preston Drive, Kingwood, WV 26537 (304)698-1521. Plans and specifications are available from Williamson Shriver Architects, Inc., 717 Bigley Avenue, Charleston, WV 25302 (304)345-1060. Plans and specifications are expected in the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

INTERIOR TILE REPLACEMENT, TOWN OF MONONGAH CITY HALL

(iSqFt Project ID# 1230794) Bids will be accepted until 4:00 PM on 01/24/2011 for interior tile replacement at the Town of Monongah City Hall. Bids should be submitted to the Town of Monongah, 430 Bridge Street, Monongah, WV 26554 (304)534-3320. Plans and specifications are available from the Town of Monongah, 430 Bridge Street, Monongah, WV 26554 (304)534-3320. Plans and specifications are being requested for the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

(iSqFt Project ID #1231179) DJS010320: Bids will be accepted until 1:30 PM on 02/03/2011 for an open-end contract to supply a delayed egress door-lock system for the Rubenstein Juvenile Center in Tucker County. For further information contact Tara Lyle (304)558-2544. (iSqFt Project ID #1231180) DEFK11026: Architectural/Engineering proposals will be accepted until 1:30 PM on 02/24/2011 for design of a maintenance complex at the Charleston Armory Complex in Kanawha County. For further information contact Tara Lyle (304)558-2544.

COOLING TOWER REPLACEMENT, MOUNT HOPE FEDERAL BUILDING

(iSqFt Project ID# 1219481) Bids will be accepted until 2:00 PM on 02/01/2011 for replacement of the existing cooling tower and all console water source heat pumps at the Mount Hope Federal Building. Estimated cost of this project is between $250,000 and $500,000. This procurement is a Small Business Set-Aside. For further information go to www.fbo.gov and enter Solicitation #GS-03P-11-CD-C-0017. Bids should be submitted to the General Services Administration, Noel C. Willette, The Strawbridge Building, 20 North 8th Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Plans and specifications are available from General Services Administration, Noel C. Willette, The Strawbridge Building, 20 North 8th Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 noel.willette@gsa.gov. Plans and specifications are expected in the CAWV Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

(iSqFt Project ID# 1230798) Bids will be accepted until 11:00 AM on 02/09/2011 for chiller replacement at the Washington County Health Center in Washington, Pennsylvania. A pre-bid meeting will be held on 01/24/2011 at 10:00 AM at the Washington County Health Center, 36 Old Hickory Ridge Road, Washington, PA. Bids should be submitted to the Washington County Purchasing Office, Randy VanKirk, 100 West Beau Street, Suite 403, Washington, PA 15301. Plans and specifications are available from the Washington County Purchasing Office, Randy VanKirk, 100 West Beau Street, Suite 403, Washington, PA 15301 (724)250-6555.

HIGH SCHOOL FIELDHOUSE CONSTRUCTION, GREENUP COUNTY, KY

(iSqFt Project ID# 1230886) Bids will be accepted until 2:00 PM on 02/01/2011 for construction of a field house at Russell High School in Russell, Kentucky. A pre-bid meeting will be held on 01/20/2011 at 11:00 AM at the project site. Bids should be submitted to the Russell Independent Schools Board of Education, 409 Belfont Street, Russell, KY 41169. Plans and specifications are available from Lynn Imaging, Inc., 328 Old East Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507 (859)255-1021. Plans and specifications are available for viewing in the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

WOMEN'S SOCCER FACILITY CONSTRUCTION, WVU, MONONGALIA COUNTY

March-Westin, Inc........................................................................................ $1,397,360

McClanahan Construction Company.............................................................. $485,950

DJS010312: OFFICE BUILDING RELOCATION, WAYNE COUNTY YOUTH REPORT CENTER

Danhill Construction Company.................................................................................. $99,540

Innovative Modular Solutions, Inc.................................................................. 104,270

INITIAL FUNDING OUTLOOK FOR THE 112TH CONGRESS

As the 112^th Congress convenes and the new legislative season begins to take shape, the picture for water infrastructure funding becomes a little clearer. At the outset, it is important to recognize that many of the new members of Congress arrived in Washington on a pledge to cut spending. This desire presents a significant risk of decreased appropriations for key programs like EPA’s state revolving loan fund and RUS’s rural water and wastewater programs.

Things like the GOP pledge to return non-defense government spending to FY2008 levels and the Obama administration’s request to the agencies to trim 5% off of their FY2012 budgets compound the overall downward trend that federal water funding has faced over the last few decades. This decrease in the federal funds will continue the trend (perhaps by design) of shifting the burden for this infrastructure on municipalities. These municipalities however, will continue to be plagued by declining tax revenues, tightening bond markets, and competition for funding from many other programs.

However, the desire to decrease funding may not stop with the appropriators. As the SRF authorization battle begins again, we may face further desire to decrease levels of funding directed at spending initiatives at the authorizing level. In addition, the SRF authorizing bills in the next congress are likely to face the same partisan battles as in previous congresses. On the policy side, contentious additions to the bill like Buy American and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements are less likely to be added to the bills with Republicans holding the majority, but democrats are more likely to block passage of the bills without their inclusion.

Outlook for more creative funding measures is also stilted. As with appropriations, the new GOP House is anti-spending and anti-tax. We suspect that the user fees levied in this bill as it was written for the 111^th Congress will face stiff opposition. We also lost four of the 40 co-sponsors of the original trust fund bill in the 2010 election cycle. AGC supported legislation lifting the volume cap on private activity bonds for water and wastewater infrastructure projects faces perhaps the best prospects in the new congress due to its low cost and because it allows states and local governments to leverage potentially billions in private investments. This provision was included in several pieces of legislation passed out of the House and narrowly missed being included in the final tax compromise package that extended the Bush era tax cuts. As the funding battles take shape, AGC will be on the forefront of advancing the call for adequate funding for water and wastewater infrastructure needs. Reprinted from the Jan. 12, 2011 AGC of America’s “The Pipeline.”

(iSqFt Project ID# 1228409) Bids will be accepted until 1:30 PM on 02/04/2011 for a storm sewer extension on Birdhaven Lane in Beckley. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on 01/21/2011 at 10:00 AM at the Beckley Sanitary Board, 301 South Heber Street, Beckley. Bids should be submitted to the Beckley Sanitary Board, General Manager, 301 South Heber Street, Beckley, WV 25801 (304)256-1760. Plans and specifications are available from the Beckley Sanitary Board, General Manager, 301 South Heber Street, Beckley, WV 25801 (304)256-1760. Plans and specifications are expected in the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

(iSqFt Project ID# 1230633) Bids will be accepted until 2:00 PM on 02/15/2011 for Contract 1: Installation of 23,600 LF of 6" PVC water line, 8,800 LF of 4" PVC water line, 13,500 LF of 2" water line, 74 meter settings, construction of a 40 GPM booster pump station, a two-unit radio-controlled telemetry system, nine fire hydrants, valves and all other appurtenances in Hodgesville. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on 02/01/2011 at 10:00 AM at the Hodgesville Community Building, Route 1 and Route 20, Hodgesville. Bids should be submitted to the Hodgesville Public Service District, 188 Fayette Street, Buckhannon, WV 26201. Plans and specifications are available from Thrasher Engineering, Inc., 30 Columbia Boulevard, P.O. Box 1532, Clarksburg, WV 26301 (304)624-4108. Plans and specifications are expected in the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

WATER STORAGE TANK CONSTRUCTION, UPSHUR COUNTY

(iSqFt Project ID# 1230784) Bids will be accepted until 2:00 PM on 02/15/2011 for Contract 2: Construction of a 70,000 gallon water storage tank in Hodgesville. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on 02/01/2011 at 10:00 AM at the Hodgesville Community Building, Route 1 and Route 20, Hodgesville. Bids should be submitted to the Hodgesville Public Service District, 188 Fayette Street, Buckhannon, WV 26201. Plans and specifications are available from Thrasher Engineering, Inc., 30 Columbia Boulevard, P.O. Box 1532, Clarksburg, WV 26301 (304)624-4108. Plans and specifications are expected in the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

MATERIALS, WATER LINE EXTENSION, AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA

(iSqFt Project ID# 1228416) Bids will be accepted until 2:00 PM on 01/21/2011 for materials including 16" slip joint piping, tapping sleeves and valves, reducers, gate valves, fire hydrants, VDOT EC-2 3" matting, mechanical joint retainer glands, gaskets and all other appurtenances in Verona, Virginia. Bids should be submitted to the Augusta County Service Authority, Jesse Roach, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA 24482 (540)245-5202.

WATER TANK DEMOLITION AND REMOVAL, TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA

(iSqFt Project ID# 1229030) Bids will be accepted until 10:00 AM on 01/21/2011 for demolition and removal of two water tanks in Bluefield, Virginia. Bids should be submitted to the Town of Bluefield, Cody Musick, 112 Huffard Drive, Bluefield, VA 24605 (276)322-4626. Plans and specifications are available from the Town of Bluefield, Cody Musick, 112 Huffard Drive, Bluefield, VA 24605 (276)322-4626. 

DIANA WATER MAIN EXTENSION, WEBSTER COUNTY

Mike Enyart & Sons, Inc.............................................................................. $3,393,117

J. F. Allen Company.....................................................................................   4,224,752

Welding, Inc.................................................................................................. $204,400

WV Pipeline, Inc............................................................................................ $3,085,355

J. F. Allen Company.....................................................................................   3,202,528

Mid Atlantic Storage Systems, Inc............................................................... $332,000

C. J. Hughes Construction Company, Inc.................................................... $132,425

 

SAFETY MEETINGS.......A VALUABLE TOOL

Taking time at the beginning of the week or at the start of a new project to talk to employees about safety is good business. The first thing to accomplish is establishing the importance of safety and health to the employees. Workers need to know that the company cares and is committed to providing the safest workplace environment possible. This is also the time to stress the company’s commitment and policy of SAFETY FIRST.

Don’t limit regular safety meeting discussions to only the labor force. One way to find topics to relate to is to encourage employees to participate by bringing up ideas for improving safety. The are plenty of safety topics around every day on a typical construction project.

Staying focused on the ever changing construction activities of any project is a must. It is equally important that all the job site leaders meet to discuss issues of safety affecting their individual daily project activity. Keeping supervisors, foremen and managers attention on safety each day by conducting frequent safety meetings to address planned activity is a very valuable tool to eliminate risks to employees and reduces costs associated with accidents.

Making notes of issues discussed and the corrective action taken is mandatory. Keeping safety meeting discussions documented will satisfy OSHA requirements that employees are instructed on current safety issues related to the project. Well documented safety meetings can be one of the most effective tools toward accident reduction, cost control and promotion of a safe project.

For a list of construction safety related topics to help in the new year contact the CAWV at (304)342-1166.

CHAIRMAN MICA PLANS FIELD HEARINGS ON SURFACE TRANSPORT BILL

Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., who chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, intends to start a process in February that can help his panel craft a new multi-year surface transportation bill. Rep. Mica told The Journal of Commerce that beginning on or around Feb. 18 he plans to hold field hearings or "listening sessions" outside of Washington to get more input from local and regional officials on what should be in the next transportation legislation. He also said his immediate top priority will be to complete legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. Congress has passed 17 FAA extensions pending passage of a new aviation bill, "so I've got to get that out first," he said. "But running parallel will be the surface and transit bill," said Rep. Mica. "The first thing I plan to do is a series of hearings around the country, and listening sessions, and we're going to start that probably about the 18th of February."

Currently, Highway Trust Fund and related programs are continuing under short-term extensions by Congress. The Obama administration is expected to offer its own surface transportation proposals early this year, Rep. Mica will take the lead in crafting a Republican bill in the House and would need to work with a Democratic Senate to get a final bill. 

While he did not give a target period for getting a bill through his committee or the House, Rep. Mica has previously said he wants to move legislation as early as possible in 2011 to prevent major initiatives getting caught up in the 2012 presidential election campaign. 

The new T&I chairman wants to retool some current surface transportation programs to save money, speed up projects to release funds already approved, spur greater use of infrastructure loans from existing federal government programs and give more incentives to private firms to invest in transportation projects.

However, he said that "rather than me scribble out my ideas … we're going to be listening; we're going to be soliciting good ideas" from others. "So we're going to take the effort on the road." The T&I committee has not yet said how many of those field sessions will take place or where they will be held. From that process, he said, "I hope to have a whole list of new financing ideas and how we can cut some of the red tape, learning from people first-hand and also educating members" of the committee.

Rep. Mica said 19 of the T&I committee’s 33 members are new in that role, “so we’ll be in some of those districts and then we’ll be around the country. And then we’ll come back, we’ll draft it, in hopefully a bipartisan manner, introduce it” and try to move it through Congress.

Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-WV, is ranking member on the committee. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, also serves on the committee.

ROUTE 35 DELAY MAY INCREASE COST

WV Parkways Authority officials are reporting that the delay caused by the legal challenges surrounding U.S. Route 35 may have caused the price tag for the project to increase. The $187 million construction project for the final 14.6-mile stretch of four-lane highway in Putnam and Mason counties was in limbo this November, after the Mason County Commission decided to rescind its approval for the project, which would be partially financed with toll revenue. The issue eventually wound up in the state Supreme Court, where justices in mid-December ordered the project could proceed. Parkways officials had hoped to be ready to borrow money via the sale of bonds at the first of the year. However, both the legal battle and the earlier delays with the traffic and revenue study have pushed back that timeline and bond interest rates have increased. For more information, click here to read a Charleston Daily Mail article detailing the bond purchase.

JOINT CONCRETE COMMITTEE’S DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS ONGOING

The CAWV / BSA / WVDOH Joint Concrete Committee is continuing with the successful District Educational Seminars and bringing an educational opportunity to each WVDOH District Headquarter during the Winter months. The seminars were held last year in lieu of a central Concrete Day and were an overwhelming success. All association members are invited to attend the seminars which are held in the morning. Topics include concrete pavement repair, Roller Compacted Concrete, bridge deck patching, open drainage base and on site concrete adjustments. An optional concrete testing procedures refresher course is held in the afternoon. For additional information, or to register to attend, contact Lindsay Stephens at (304) 342-1166 or lstephens@cawv.org or Builders Supply Association Executive Director Dale Hill at (304) 342-2450 or dale@bsa-wv.com.   

                        February 7       Lewisburg                                February 8       Princeton        

                        February 22     Weston                                                February 23     Elkins

                        March 7           Clarksburg                               March 8           Burlington

                        March 14         Huntington                               March 15         Charleston

The CAWV is offering Certification Training Courses, which help individuals prepare for the WVDOH certification examinations required under their Quality Assurance Program. Thousands of individuals have attended courses in Compaction, Aggregates, Hot Mix Asphalt and Portland Cement Concrete over the last several years. Test comparisons prove that those persons who attend the CAWV/WVDOH courses have a higher success rate for passing the exams.

Class                                                               Training Dates                                                Test Date

Portland Cement Concrete Inspector                February 22-24                                                February 25

Portland Cement Concrete Technician                         March 7-10                                          March 11

The CAWV/WVDOH Joint Concrete Committee is accepting nominations for the 2010 Quality Concrete Construction Awards. Any contractor who completed a project in 2010 and believes it deserves recognition should fill-out the nomination form and return it to the CAWV by Friday, February 18, 2011. Once all nominations are in, the Evaluation Team will review and inspect each project and select a winner in the structural, flatwork and special projects categories. Winners will be announced at the CAWV State Meeting, held in March during EXPO. Nomination forms are available at www.cawv.org. For additional information, please contact Pat McDonald at (304) 342-1166 or pmcdonald@cawv.org

(iSqFt Project ID# 1228999) Bids will be accepted until 10:00 AM on 01/31/2011 for construction of a pile and lagging wall in Charleston. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on 01/19/2011 at 11:00 AM at City of Charleston Engineering Department, 105 McFarland Street, Charleston. Bids should be submitted to the City of Charleston, Shannon Atkins, 501 Virginia Street East, Room 101, Charleston, WV 25301 (304)348-8014. Plans and specifications are available from the City of Charleston, Shannon Atkins, 501 Virginia Street East, Room 101, Charleston, WV 25301 (304)348-8014. Plans and specifications are expected in the CAWV Physical Planroom and Internet Planroom at www.isqft.com.

(iSqFt Project ID# 1228296) Architectural/Engineering proposals will be accepted until 3:00 PM on 01/22/2011 for design proposals for 2,000 LF of sidewalk, ADA curb cuts and detectable warning devices at Opequon Elementary School in Martinsburg. Proposals should be submitted to the Berkeley County Board of Education, Kitty Caufman, 401 South Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401 (304)267-3500.

(iSqFt Project ID# 1228258) Bids will be accepted until 11:00 AM on 01/24/2011 for wall stone materials in various sizes for the City of Charleston. Bids should be submitted to the City of Charleston, Shannon Atkins, 501 Virginia Street East, Room 101, Charleston, WV 25301 (304)348-8014.

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS, LAKESIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ADDITIONS, PUTNAM COUNTY

(iSqFt Project ID# 1229640) Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 PM on 01/25/2011 for geotechnical engineering proposals for the additions to Lakeside Elementary School in Hurricane. Proposals should be submitted to the Putnam County Board of Education, Scott Coyner, 9 Courthouse Drive, Winfield, WV 25213 (304)586-0500.

STATE OF WV REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

(iSqFt Project ID #1231186) 05110325: Bids will be accepted until 1:30 PM on 02/16/2011 to provide forms and pour a concrete wall for the WVDOH Headquarters salt shed in Jefferson County. For further information contact Michael Austin (304)558-2402.

(iSqFt Project ID #1231190) 05110326: Bids will be accepted until 1:30 PM on 02/16/2011 to provide forms and pour a concrete wall for the Corridor H salt shed at Knobley Road in Grant County. For further information contact Michael Austin (304)558-2402.

McClanahan Construction Company.............................................................. $485,950