Project Telephone Seminars - Training Resources

Basics of Reverse Osmosis for Brackish Groundwater Treatment nMany professionals in membrane desalination design, operation and maintenance are faced with the difficult task of keeping current on the rapidly changing technology. Reverse osmosis membrane products change as the suppliers introduce new models. How and when to best apply these products and what features and benefits they offer must be analyzed before optimum performance can be realized.  more...

Statement of Work (SOW) Contract Fundamentals ...s the only thing between you and failure, whether it be a project, a contract, a grant application or a proposal. Success is in the details of the statement of work. Without it, you can't compete or communicate. Those who have managed contracted work know that poorly written statements of work can lead to communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, disputes, rework, delayed completion and  more...

Advancing and Defending Oregon Construction Liens BenefitsAttend this teleconference and learn strategies for tackling construction lien issues. Experienced attorney, Douglas R. Hookland, will provide an examination of the construction lien laws of the state of Oregon. Find out how to efficiently collect payment for your labor, materials, supplies and/or equipment - or protect your property from unwarranted lien claims. Learn how you can succeed  more...

Recent Updates to the EPA's Brownfields Program BenefitsThis teleconference will provide you with an update on the current status of the Federal Brownfields Program. You will learn about benefits you can obtain under the Federal Brownfields Program, the status of the program and some of the risks to brownfields development resulting from a recent Supreme Court case and environmental risks associated with vapor intrusion. Learning Objectives -  more...

Zoning Variances: Nonconforming Uses and Structures BenefitsThis teleconference will be useful in determining how to devise and apply nonconforming development and use land use regulations, how to review evidence documenting nonconforming development and uses, and how to determine whether a nonconforming development or use has been terminated, abandoned or modified. Learning Objectives - You will be able to report and document a nonconforming use.  more...

Float Ownership Issues in Construction Project Management BenefitsFloat is a measure of schedule flexibility. It can be used to avoid creating disputes about delays or misused to exacerbate them. We will discuss the relationships between schedules, float and delays, and examine techniques which may be used to manipulate them and to minimize manipulation. This teleconference will also review the effect of contract provisions and the development of case  more...

Documentation and Proof of Construction Delay ... owners, contractors, subcontractors, design consultants, project managers and their legal team. This teleconference will focus on the key terms, important contract provisions and the most successful approaches to the determination of delay. It will include a discussion of the importance of the critical path, the importance of the contemporaneous documentation and the pitfalls associated with  more...

A Road Map to Greening Our Residential Buildings: National Green Building Standards Review BenefitsIn this teleconference, you will uncover the hidden opportunities across our largest environmental problem areas in residential buildings. We will uncover how we are missing substantial ways to save energy, water and money, and discuss the new national green building standards that will affect you and your industry. You'll be exposed to new data and connections you've never seen before and  more...

Current Issues in Digital Billboards and Sign Regulations BenefitsLocal governments, elected officials, municipal lawyers, zoning and building officials, and professional planners face increasing litigation threats due to the proliferation of digital signs. One national expert has predicted a wave of litigation at localities across the country that is trying to maintain attractive communities and prevent visual blight. What is the role of the Federal  more...

Construction Contract Bid Errors BenefitsThe pressures on contractors to obtain work have never been greater. The competition for contracts, often coupled with precarious financial health, leaves very little margin for error - yet bid mistakes are on the increase with adverse consequences for owners, contractors and subcontractors. This teleconference analyzes the legal consequences of bid errors and how to avoid them. Those who  more...

Use of Terms and Conditions in Purchasing Contracts BenefitsAs companies seek to reduce transaction costs by doing business with standardized business forms, the old 10-point, double-column terms and conditions provisions have taken on new importance for purchasing professionals. This teleconference is going to expose that what is hidden in that microscopic text are not only acronyms that can be legally determinative if a controversy develops, but  more...

Ground Failures and Other Groundwater-Related Property Damage ...development and for incorporating mitigation methods into project design and construction. Learning Objectives - You will be able to predict the impact of groundwater on soil, foundations and other building systems. - You will be able to recite case studies involving groundwater intrusion. - You will be able to describe characteristics of preconstruction site conditions. - You will be able to  more...

Slope Stabilization: Best Practices and Challenges BenefitsThis teleconference will address the types of slope stabilization failures and techniques used to avoid failures by the application of best practices. There are well-established engineering principles for the design and maintenance of stable slopes. This teleconference summarizes practices to overcome challenges to enhance slope stability. Many engineers are faced with challenges to  more...

Contractor Selection ...rs and other professionals are important for a successful project, in these 'watch the bottom line' times, the contractor you place in charge of the work is the most important person on the project. This teleconference will assist you review the key issues on contractor selection and raise important points for the negotiation of construction contracts. Learning Objectives - You will be able to  more...

Low Quality Asphalt: How to Avoid Problems Down the Road BenefitsLow quality asphalt is a facility owner's or manager's nightmare. How to turn it into a high quality asset can be a difficult question. That's what this teleconference is about. Reconstruction of asphalt pavements, whether a roadway, commercial parking lot or large distribution center, can be time consuming and very expensive. Costs associated with loss of use can easily exceed costs of  more...

Low-Impact Development Maintenance and Upkeep Techniques BenefitsThroughout the country new storm water regulations are requiring the control of runoff peak flow rates, runoff volume and water quality. To meet these requirements, engineers and planners are implementing low impact development concepts into their site development plans. This results in the use of many complex storm water BMPs such as bioinfiltration systems, infiltration basins,  more...

LEED Tax Incentives and Credits for Green Buildings BenefitsLEED is a certification program for green buildings. Key elements of the program are water conservation, energy conservation and a reduction in waste going to landfill. Federal, state and local jurisdictions are looking for ways to incentivize improved performance in these key areas. The President is working with Congress to pass comprehensive legislation to protect our nation from the  more...

Implied Obligations in Construction Contracts BenefitsWhen parties enter into construction or design contracts, there may be numerous implied obligations that arise under law or in equity. These implied obligations should be carefully considered by owners, design professionals and contractors. These implied obligations apply to most construction and design contracts unless a specific contractual provision is provided in the contract that  more...

The Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: Application to Condominiums and Single Family Homes ... to understand firsthand how to methodically analyze your projects, whether currently under construction, on the drawing boards, in sales or post sales, and match the facts, circumstances and needs of the project with the compliance profile best suited for ILSA requirements. The teleconference will also explain the substance and details of contract compliance with ILSA exemption standards and  more...

Construction Recordkeeping and Documentation Requirements for Government Contracts BenefitsWhile a systematic records retention policy is a hallmark of every successful business, it is also a mandatory condition of contracting with the federal government. Federal laws and regulations require federal contractors, including construction contractors, to maintain certain records related to the contract for a specific number of years. Consequently, federal contractors are well  more...

Water Supply and Groundwater Well Design ...wells. Finally, this program will give examples of actual projects that illustrate the performance problems discussed and the implementation of solutions that helped address the specific performance issues. Learning Objectives - You will be able to analyze well design and construction. - You will be able to report well performance factors. - You will be able to examine well rehabilitation and  more...

Determining the Best Service Delivery Options for Public Works and Utility Projects: In-House or Contract? ...ll learn principles and techniques for determining when a project or activity is best delivered by in-house staff, through a contract with a neighboring government or a private contractor, or a combined approach with some tasks performed in-house and others by a contractor. The teleconference will present a practical, nuts-and-bolts approach with examples to help you determine how public works  more...

Basic Principles of Construction Insurance ...verview of basic insurance coverage used for construction projects. The presenters are experienced construction and insurance coverage attorneys who will discuss how to secure appropriate insurance coverage at a project's inception and what to do when claims arise during construction or after project completion. Builder's risk, CGL and other common project policies will be discussed. This  more...

Doing Business with Distressed Vendors and Customers: Strategies to Employ in Workouts, Litigation and Bankruptcy BenefitsThe strains of the current economic crisis are being felt in every industry and at every point in the supply chain. More and more often, vendors are encountering distressed buyers and buyers are dealing with distressed suppliers. Attend this teleconference and you will learn to recognize the early warning signs of financial distress, and be armed with strategies that can be employed in  more...

Emerging Trends in Infrastructure Finance - The Stimulus and Beyond ...how the deals are being structured. We will examine a few project examples for practical experience as well as explore where the infrastructure funding effort is heading over the next decade. Learning Objectives You will be able to review the status of current funding vehicles and the prospects for future funding availability. You will be able to analyze how the stimulus package is being  more...

Nanotech Materials for Sustainable Buildings BenefitsA nanotech revolution is underway in building materials and technologies. In fact, you won't achieve truly green, sustainable buildings without some of the products emerging from this revolution. Many nanotech products are already here and you can use them with confidence. This 90-minute, nontechnical teleconference will give an overview of how nanotech is changing the full spectrum of  more...

Integrated Project Delivery Principles and Building Information Modeling ...nd BIM may be wondering how to either ask for it in their projects or implement these principles in their firms. There are some basic concepts in IPD and BIM that can be used in every project large or small. Dialogue among the project team members is the key but without a level understanding that dialogue can fail to bring the desired results. This teleconference will help anyone on the project  more...

Form-Based Coding: An Alternative to Conventional Zoning BenefitsThis teleconference will provide a basic understanding of form-based codes: how they are different, how they can be applied and how they can help implement more sustainable communities. Lessons learned and steps toward beginning the process will provide you with a clear path toward a successful form-based code. Legal and practical considerations associated with adopting form-based zoning  more...

Documenting and Organizing LEED Projects: Lessons Learned for Better LEED Submissions ...s to help you better understand how to organize your LEED project, how to track progress toward achieving your LEED goals and how to compose your LEED submissions. This teleconference is based on publicly available information concerning the LEED rating and certification system, and is not specifically endorsed or approved by the U.S. Green Building Council. Learning Objectives - You will be  more...

Performance Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Constructed Bridges BenefitsThe deterioration of constructed bridges is one of the most critical problems facing the infrastructure of the United States. According to a recent survey (ASCE 2005), an overall grade of D has been given to our infrastructure systems. Typical sources of bridge deterioration include increased live load, environmental attack and physical damage such as collision of heavy trucks. This  more...

Current Issues in CEQA ...limate change, those of us who work on new development or projects in California only have time to fight to keep up with the enormous changes in California law and jurisprudence concerning climate change. This teleconference will provide an update on the proposed changes to the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions as well as their effects on  more...

Common Annexation Issues in Development BenefitsAnnexation is a process for the adjustment of government boundaries. Annexation can have a significant impact on the owners of the real property to be annexed, on the annexing government agency and on those who own property in the immediate area. This teleconference will discuss the pros and cons of annexation and how it is used to control development. You will gain useful information  more...

Construction Payment Remedies: Using the Right Tools BenefitsThe recession has made nonpayment and late payment critical concerns to many in the construction industry. The unique nature of the industry and the special remedies available to those in it make payment disputes matters of much interest to all involved in the construction process. The recession has only made resolution of these disputes more challenging. This teleconference will cover  more...

Prevailing Wage Law--An Understanding of The Davis-Bacon Act BenefitsWage and hour laws have become the principal source for the new wave of employment class actions, which often result in hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in many cases millions of dollars, of recoverable damages and attorneys' fees awarded to the successful litigants and their attorneys - in addition to the substantial amount of legal fees and administrative costs incurred by  more...

GSA Price Reduction Clauses (PRC) in Contracts BenefitsGSA Federal Supply Schedule contracting is a convenient way for companies to sell their products to the federal government. However, doing business under GSA FSS contracts presents a number of compliance issues, with one of the most important being the price reduction clause. This clause is included in all of the GSA Multiple Award Schedule schedules and essentially it guarantees that GSA  more...

Practical Transportation Design and Solutions: Concepts and Implementation ...e need for ongoing road preservation, safety and mobility projects has continually increased. However, the long term availability of funds for such improvements continues to diminish. Typical planning and design approaches may prioritize projects at the planning and programming stage in order to best address system needs; however, project designs are then developed with the intent to deliver  more...

Shop Drawings and Other Construction Submittals - Legal and Architectural Perspectives ...econference is a must for anyone involved in construction projects. Learning Objectives - You will be able to point out critical contents of shop drawings. - You will be able to differentiate between change orders vs. construction change directives. - You will be able to propose how to handle disputed change order requests. - You will be able to define RFIs. Construction managers, engineers,  more...

Collective Bargaining and Construction Labor Contracts ...s of time than expected and that the agreements cover all projects involving work within the union's jurisdiction. As a result, the contractors exposed their businesses to increased labor costs as well as potential liability to the union benefit funds for unpaid benefit contributions. With proper planning and a better understanding of the law, these problems can be avoided. This  more...

Current Issues in Cell Tower Leases BenefitsThe wireless industry has built more than 220,000 cell sites in the United States in the past 20 years. But many more cell sites are needed as the wireless industry expands coverage and extends the capabilities of cell phones and wireless devices into data, email, computer and video applications. New cell sites and significant modifications to existing cell sites will also be needed to  more...

Measuring Inefficiency on a Construction Project ...fficiency of construction is important to everyone on the project - from the contractors, subcontractors and suppliers that experience inefficiency to the owners and design consultants whose actions can lead to inefficiencies. The first step toward managing efficiency is to understand what it is and know how to measure it. That is the objective of this teleconference. The benefits of being a  more...

The Dilemma of Dealing With Bad Plans and Specs: Key Legal Concepts and Tips for Pro-actively Managing Design Errors, Omissions ...out question, critical to the success of any construction project. When the plans and specifications are clear and without significant errors or omissions, the project is much more likely to be on time and within budget. But what happens when plans are riddled with errors, conflicts or omissions? This teleconference will provide you with valuable tips for addressing your obligations, rights and  more...

Clean Air Act Update BenefitsU.S. businesses are facing unprecedented uncertainty as to future requirements under the Clean Air Act and an array of new programs addressing stationary and mobile emission sources. The Obama Administration and Congress are poised to usher in a new era of greenhouse gas and energy regulation. At the same time, the Obama EPA is confronting a bewildering array of court-ordered regulatory  more...

Multifamily Project Finance and Development ...h good track records and performing or well conceived new projects. The looming 'refinance crisis' for multifamily projects financed with CMBS and with soon-to-expire construction loans will only add to the challenges. This teleconference will explore a variety of debt and equity programs, including some new and nontraditional ones that are available to help in addressing the credit market  more...

Federal Flood Plain Regulation BenefitsSafety and environmental issues are the most significant issues in flood plain development today. Practitioners continue to struggle with jurisdictional issues under the Clean Water Act regarding wetlands regulation, with new EPA and USACE guidance following the Rapanos decision offering limited relief. In the post-Hurricane Katrina era, FEMA is proposing sweeping changes to flood plain  more...

Construction Documentation: Preparing Effective Job Records ...on of those communications can keep the parties - and the project - on course and out of litigation. And should an irreconcilable dispute nevertheless arise, thorough project documentation facilitates the efficient resolution of that dispute. This teleconference will help you to not only recognize the significance of various project documents, but also the true importance of the information  more...

Not in My Backyard (NIMBY): Overcoming Development Resistance ...proposals can add millions to the cost of the development project and add months to the permitting process. This teleconference will provide practical, actionable tools to anticipate and avoid community resistance to controversial land use projects and to actively build community enthusiasm for the proposal. We'll begin with an in-depth look at managing hostile audiences - how to avoid  more...

Obtaining a Portion of the Stimulus Grant Funding BenefitsThis past year the federal government has provided a significant economic stimulus program that has been primarily implemented through grant funding. The Recovery Act (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed by President Obama on February 16, 2009) is the economic stimulus package of $787 billion. Because of the national scope of the economic situation, stimulus money has  more...

Lighting Design and Control for Commercial Buildings: Increase Sales, Increase Productivity and Save Energy BenefitsWhatever your business is, the proper illumination can provide paybacks that far exceed the energy saved. Studies have confirmed findings. This topic will be presented in a fast paced teleconference with many real life examples. System efficiencies, impact on other architectural systems and integrated controls will all be discussed. We will discuss daylighting, a 100 year old feature that  more...

Building Green Without Losing Green: Managing Risk in Sustainable Design and Construction Contracts ...sign, construction and development of green buildings and projects. Learning Objectives - You will be able to identify and manage risks in green design contracts. - You will be able to calculate and manage risks in green construction contracts. - You will be able to understand examples of green claims asserted to date. - You will be able to summarize how LEED Documentation impacts design and  more...

Managing Post-Construction Claims ...project completion can ruin a previously successful job. Such claims arise from a host of problems, such as physical failures, unpaid lower tier contractors, undiscovered defects of design and construction, and personal injuries. Taking steps to avoid such claims is prudent but companies also need strategies to deal with claims that inevitably arise. This teleconference will explore how to  more...

Understanding the Complexities of OCIPs and CCIPs Insurance Programs ...aged. While historically available only on the largest of projects, more recently these programs have been used on projects as small as $25 million in construction costs. Another variant known as the rolling wrap-up is becoming more popular for businesses that build multiple projects or maintain a number of large facilities. In order to realize the significant price advantages afforded by these  more...

Automated Meter Reading and Advanced Metering Infrastructure: A Guide for Municipal Water and Energy Utilities ...oes it take to have a successful advanced metering system project? Advanced metering systems are evolving to meet municipal needs for efficient customer service, infrastructure management and conservation. But, acquiring and successfully integrating automatic meter reading/advanced metering infrastructure presents unique challenges to municipal utilities. Procurement policies, physical and  more...

Legal Construction Issues in Connection With Office Condominiums BenefitsWhat you don't know could hurt you - stay updated on issues concerning office condominiums. Join us for this innovative teleconference and get up to speed on the construction of condominiums. Get a handle on complicated issues surrounding the construction of a condominium association. Avoid problems down the road by protecting yourself and your company - find out exactly what the critical  more...

Purchasing Law: Breach, Repudiation and Excuse BenefitsYou have survived the battle of the forms or signed a supply agreement but there is a problem - your supplier hasn't delivered, the goods don't work the way they should or you have reason to think that they won't be delivered. This teleconference will provide you a basic understanding about what you can do when your purchase contract goes bad. You will receive a primer on the steps you  more...

Construction Project Management in Remote Locations: Site Considerations and Unique Challenges ...projects in remote locations are increasingly demanding comprehensive design-build solutions for projects where the defined scope is often little more than a half-page concept of the desired output or regulatory result. The client expectations: technical and commercial analysis, scope of work development, a detailed execution plan, a detailed CPM schedule with day certain financial closing and  more...

Major Issues in WiMAX Tower Leases and Zoning BenefitsHigh speed over the air broadband service for your computer, home or office, often called WiMAX service, is being rolled out in more than 80 U.S. metropolitan areas in 2009 and 2010. WiMAX is like Wi-Fi computer service, but covers an entire city or county. WiMAX will lead to more leases of land for communications towers because an entire new set of antennas and some new towers will be  more...

Pervious Concrete - The Pavement That Drinks! ... techniques. This teleconference will provide examples of projects and you will learn how pervious concrete can earn LEED points on your green building project. The permeability of porous concrete provides a potential solution to the problem of storm water runoff, which is a serious environmental concern accompanying increased urbanization. When land is covered with impervious parking areas,  more...

Current Trends in Carbon Credits and Markets BenefitsThe world of greenhouse gas regulation is increasingly complex. International, national, state and regional greenhouse gas reduction programs typically include carbon offsets or allowances as one of the tools to achieve compliance. This teleconference will help those who are involved with and responsible for climate change programs and compliance to understand the nature, use and value of  more...

ALTA Policy, Endorsements and Transaction Strategies with Title Insurance BenefitsThis teleconference will examine the role of title insurance in real estate transactions and review policy forms, with an emphasis on the 2006 ALTA Policy. Using the commitment for title insurance, the course will discuss how counsel, investors and lenders can avoid title pitfalls and coverage gaps, expedite a pre-closing response to coverage requests, and ultimately enhance coverage.  more...

Who Should Bear the Risk? Top 10 Things Developers Need to Know About Loan Documents ...pers are under increased pressure to provide lenders with projects that present no more than a responsible risk. After an equity requirement, loan documentation is the primary vehicle for allocating risk between the parties. This teleconference will help you understand lenders' requirements and the variety of loan documentation solutions actively used in today's commercial lending marketplace  more...

5 Principles for Successful Design-Build Projects ...project delivery systems differ from the traditional design-bid-build system, how to evaluate whether design-build may be advantageous for your particular situation and project, how to structure a design-build approach to maximize the probability of a successful project in either the private or the public sector and how to select an appropriate contract format. Learning Objectives - You will  more...

Fundamentals of Writing RFPs BenefitsVendors cannot possibly offer an intelligent, thoughtful proposal solution if your RFP is unclear, unorganized, and disjointed. This engaging teleconference provides proven methods for drafting RFPs that are clear, precise and produce desired results. Learn ten writing tips that will guide you in creating an effective RFP. Learn how to format your RFP to lead vendors toward answering your  more...

Combating Rising Construction Costs ...some of the decision points during a typical construction project at which you can influence your company's risk allocation and influence who pays when construction costs rise. This teleconference will explain important methods for limiting your risk during all phases of design, pre-construction, during construction and post-construction during a claims process. Learning Objectives - You will  more...

Storm Water Best Management Practice (BMP) Inspection and Maintenance ...on and maintenance issues for construction BMPs on linear projects, and illustrate the use of technology to support your storm water BMP maintenance and inspection programs. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discover the importance of proper maintenance to meeting new benchmark discharge criteria. - You will be able to define typical maintenance requirements of and common problems with  more...

Terminating a Construction Contract: Legal Issues and Considerations BenefitsAn unstable economy causes owners and contractors to increasingly consider the last resort of terminating their construction contracts. It is important to fully appreciate and understand the law governing termination in order to avoid causing even more economic damage. This teleconference will provide the basic concepts of termination and will provide some examples of the right and wrong  more...

Surface Parking Lots Development and Design BenefitsThis teleconference will be of great benefit to architects, engineers, developers and contractors. You will learn how to acquire a potential property, how to design and maintain surface parking lots. This teleconference will not only devote time to surface features, such as pavements, drainage and striping, it will also discuss the importance of paying attention to soil preparation and  more...

Understanding LEED for Sustainable Building ...technical research, reviews of many actual LEED certified projects and advisory activities of hundreds of technical experts. The 2009 revisions are comprehensive and may reduce building environmental impacts by 10 percent on LEED certified projects, focusing mainly on further reductions in energy waste and enhanced water conservation. This is the first major rework of LEED since 2005 and  more...

Conflicts With Additional Insured Coverage BenefitsStandard form contracts and purchase orders often require contract counterparties to add one another as additional insureds to general liability, property and other insurance policies. Relying upon another parties' insurance coverage can offer important benefits to the additional insured, whose own insurance coverage may not be implicated in the event of a claim. At the same time, relying  more...

Value Engineering Change Proposals in Government Contracting BenefitsMany federal contractors are greatly focused on achieving cost reductions in their production processes, such as through lean manufacturing and Six Sigma programs, to become more competitive and increase profits. However, few contractors take advantage of a contractual tool, the Value Engineering ('VE') contract clause, which was established specifically to provide increased profits from  more...

Building Information Modeling: Planning, Design and Legal Considerations ...of BIM throughout the team. We will talk through a couple project examples where BIM tools and processes were used to really make a difference in the outcome of the project and finish up with a section focusing on the "What's in it for me?" question, again addressing your needs. n nYou will come away from this teleconference with some solid concepts, some resources for more exploration, an  more...

Pervious Pavement Alternatives nPorous pavements are becoming one of the most important tools for meeting nonpoint source pollution goals, building low-impact developments and rehabilitating cities in a sustainable manner. However designers, developers and municipal officials are reluctant to use porous pavements until numerous questions about their practicality and feasibility are answered. This teleconference conveys the  more...

Construction Contract Accounting: A Three-Dimensional Look at the Numbers nFinancial reports do more than help you comply with the terms of the contract. Financial reporting can help you become more profitable by giving you the information you need to make smart management decisions. This teleconference will discuss three types of accounting - financial, tax and internal/management. Learn how to combine the different methods to get a three-dimensional view of your  more...

Design Codes and Standards for Noise Control nAcoustics strongly affects the human response to our environment and yet noise rises to the top of any list of user complaints in buildings. Complaints relate to poor hearing conditions, annoyance from neighbors, inadequate privacy, noisy mechanical equipment and a plethora of other issues. This teleconference will provide you with information on how to use building design to control sound and  more...

Construction Site Hazard Prevention nSerious injuries, fatalities and citations issued by OSHA tend to involve the same violations over and over again. Penalties can be quite severe and may also result in lost business. Although most companies have detailed safety programs, translation of requirements to field activities may not be consistent. The most difficult aspect of establishing an effective safety plan involves the  more...

How To Prevent Construction Projects From Going Bad ...leconference focuses on actions you can take to keep your project pointed toward success. It addresses the steps that can and should be taken to help anticipate, identify and manage the problems inherent in the construction process. n nThis teleconference is intended to benefit attendees who want to have a better understanding of the pitfalls of the construction process and how to meet them  more...

Navigating the Troubled Construction Project: Recognizing, Analyzing and Handling the Risks ...a massive increase in the number of troubled construction projects. Whether trouble arises from the withdraw or lack of funding or a failure in performance of the contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to perform, the reality is that each project represents unique challenges that must be met head on. This teleconference presents the issues surrounding the project and is designed to assist  more...

Understanding the Language of Mold Assessment Reports nLaymen and professionals who do not deal with mold assessment reports on a regular basis are likely to struggle with understanding the language presented in a mold assessment report. They may be prone to accepting the written word of the consultant at face value, without question. This would be a mistake for anyone. For others it could be considered negligent and result in liability. Far too many  more...

Understanding Legal Issues with Construction Subcontracts nThis teleconference will provide you with information and knowledge on legal and contractual issues affecting subcontracts that are commonly encountered, such as changes and extras, pricing, termination, dispute resolution, risk allocation, pay to be paid provisions and other common clauses. The information obtained through this will assist you in fully comprehending the risk you are assuming in  more...

Demand-Side Water Conservation Initiatives nMany water utilities are having to prepare conservation, drought preparedness and diverse water supply plans to meet existing and future water demands. Internal and external factors are causing water shortages, rate impacts, conflicts among neighboring water users, and both real and perceived unreliable water supplies. These circumstances are impacting businesses, homeowners, and the health and  more...

Making It Through the Land Entitlement Process nWith a multilayered regulatory framework and a myriad of reviewing agencies and stakeholders, the land entitlement process is often bewildering. The rules, processes and players vary widely by jurisdiction but there are common keys to success. Get an insider's perspective on differentiating the various regulatory processes, understanding and addressing stakeholder concerns, getting staff on your  more...

Water Well Rehabilitation - Technical Considerations and Economic Advantages nThe decline of global economic conditions has discouraged high-volume water well owners, including municipalities, water companies, industrial entities and other large well owners, from incurring the cost of installing new wells. However, the decline of the economy has not reduced the requirement of water purveyors and other well owners to provide a safe and dependable supply of high-quality  more...

Green Roof Sustainable Design Techniques nIt is essential that customers for green roofs appreciate the importance of their decisions to achieving wished-for benefits. Design choices do have implications. All green roof assemblies will not confer equivalent benefits. This teleconference will explain how specific aspects of a green roof design will affect long term waterproofing performance, storm water runoff, energy requirements and  more...

2009 Updates to the International Residential Codes nSignificant changes to the 2009 International Residential Code lie ahead for many in the construction industry. Some of the changes will be controversial as jurisdictions will have to choose whether or not to adopt the new codes, such as residential fire code provisions, as system manufacturers and installers work to keep up with the mandates. Some professionals view the changes as unnecessary,  more...

Management and Protection of Wetland Buffers nBuffers are upland or riparian areas that separate wetlands or other aquatic resources from upland areas, which are often found in developed or agricultural states. They are very critical to the ecological integrity of the wetlands and typically consist of native plant communities that reflect the local landscape and ecology. They perform a variety of habitat functions for wildlife and other  more...

Community Benefit Agreements ...ments, and private interests together to make development projects more sustainable, transparent and accountable. Negotiating a CBA can be a win-win solution for community groups and developers. The community receives assurances about job benefits, affordable housing, environmental impacts and other issues related to the development and to the community's needs. The project developer, in  more...

Writing Construction Specifications: Formats and Practices nAfter a facility's design is complete and construction products have been selected, construction specifications must be prepared that are clear, correct, complete and concise. Specifications also need to conform to recognized standards for formats in order to be expediently produced and used. This teleconference is an overview of current construction specification formats and writing practices,  more...

Understanding Warranties and Guarantees in the Standard AIA Contract ... contract and the successful completion of a construction project. This teleconference will help you understand the issues concerning warranties and call-back periods, including the legal limitations on them, which will in turn allow you to adequately negotiate and enforce or comply with those provisions. This teleconference will also discuss the new AIA statute of repose language and what  more...

Understanding LEED. for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance nThe U.S. Green Building Councils' LEED® for Existing Buildings' program goal is obtaining higher performance in buildings that have already been constructed and are currently in operation. LEED® EB emphasizes maximizing operational service and efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. The system addresses whole-building energy and water use, indoor comfort and air quality, cleaning and  more...

Utilizing Congestion Pricing to Reduce Traffic Congestion and Generate Infrastructure Revenue ...potential implementation challenges of congestion pricing projects, and understand how to avail yourself of resources from the Federal Highway Administration to help them move forward with this approach. This teleconference is critical for state and local public officials and professionals seeking solutions to growing congestion and infrastructure funding problems. n nLearning Objectives n- You  more...

Construction Delays Caused by Permitting ... result in significant costs to all parties involved in a project. It is essential for you to know how to avoid permitting delays and how to address them when they arise. This teleconference will address how to use contract language to minimize and allocate the risks associated with permitting delays. In addition, it will address certain best practices, such as carefully considering the  more...

Cumulative Impact Claims ...mpact claims may be one of the more common occurrences on projects with multiple changes over the course of the project. However, cumulative impact claims may be one of the most difficult claims to present and prove at trial or in arbitration. Evidentiary issues, logistics of proving what the cumulative impact was and proving damages can prove to be very difficult. Defenses to cumulative impact  more...

Differing Site Conditions ...een used in the most complex and high-dollar construction projects to date as the investment, both for the initial start up costs in software and training, and in the data input is not insignificant. Accordingly, for those projects that are not using BIM, differing site condition claims continue to be an issue of serious magnitude. Moreover, BIM cannot solve issues such as unexpected soils  more...

Real Estate Market Studies: Critical Decision Tool or Superfluous Information? ...projects are required to pass the market study hurdle during due diligence. What factors impact the applicability, reliability and timeliness of these market studies? This teleconference will help real estate professionals identify the best providers of market studies, formulate a scope of work to suit the needs of the assignment, assist the consultant without clouding the conclusions and  more...

Floodproofing Fundamentals: Design Methods to Reduce Flood Damages nProblem: Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, more than 80 percent of the natural disaster losses in the United States are caused by flooding. Over the past 10 years, the National Weather Service estimates that flood losses have averaged more than $4 billion a year nationwide. Various government and insurance groups  more...

Optimize Your Workforce Scheduling nFor many companies, scheduling the workforce can become a nightmare. Because labor is a significant cost of production, management is often under pressure to keep their workforce lean and flexible. The aim of workforce scheduling is to balance constraints to ensure that the right people with the right skills are in the right place at the right time. Workforce planning provides a systematic  more...

Design Tips for Rain Gardens: Storm Water and Runoff Control nRain gardens have been used to beautify landscapes while improving runoff quality since their inception in Prince George's County, Maryland, in the early 1990's. Research has shown that their cousin, bioretention, does a very good job of reducing pollutant loads, reducing runoff volumes and increasing infiltration, spurring regulators to look favorably on these practices. What these systems look  more...

Mitigating the Impact of Construction Projects: Hurdles to Project Success ...projects have impacts on their surroundings, including neighbors, businesses, communities and the physical environment. These impacts frequently are the center of controversy surrounding a project and can lead to unnecessary delays, lost productivity, added project costs and bad public relations. This teleconference will provide you with practical strategies for identifying and controlling  more...

Keys to Understanding Land Records nThis teleconference will provide you with the practical information you need to better understand the process of researching and evaluating land records in connection with the transfer of ownership and real estate financing. This teleconference will identify real property interests and sources of land information, explain how property interests are created and transferred, and discuss title  more...

Roundabouts: Planning, Design Principles and Current Practices ...rent practices, and apply roundabout design principles to projects in your region. This teleconference will emphasize both basic and advanced roundabout principles to assist you with proper roundabout implementation for better public acceptance, smoother roundabout operations, increased capacity and safety, less maintenance and less pollution. n nWhether you are new to roundabouts or an  more...

Purchasing Contract Disputes nBad economic times inevitably result in serious business disputes. This teleconference will help you plan and implement a practical strategy to minimize the business interruptions (and costs) that can occur when purchasing contract disputes occur - and turn potential career-limiting purchasing disasters in 2009 into success stories. This introductory course will help you understand how such  more...

Strategies for Successful Mixed Use Development ... ordinances. Planning and design for successful mixed use projects in today's environment is a complex matrix of skill sets and necessary collaborations between design professionals, developers, leasing agents, tenants, municipal planners, land use attorneys, local government and communities. This teleconference prompts discussion of challenges you face and opportunities available for common  more...

Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Guidance Under the New Administration - Rapanos or Oberstar? ...hanging jurisdictional landscape and navigate a course to project approval. The teleconference will explain how we got here and what to expect next. Failing to give proper consideration to Clean Water Act jurisdictional issues on the front end can delay a project, substantially increase costs and occasionally kill a project. This teleconference will provide you with the knowledge base to avoid  more...

Multistate Sales Tax Issues for Contractors ...ts, a contractor may significantly under-bid construction projects or be subject to additional taxes, penalties and interest upon audit. This teleconference will not only review basic general rules but discuss exceptions and special applications. n nLearning Objectives n- You will be able to debate who is responsible for collecting or paying the sales and use tax. n- You will be able to explain  more...

Best Practices in Purchasing Software nNegotiating software licenses can be frustrating for the business owner. Once you get past the 10-point, double column format of most vendors' license forms, you begin to understand that there are no standard terms and conditions for licensing software - each deal is unique. This teleconference will help the person responsible for evaluating, purchasing and maintaining enterprise-wide software  more...

Maximizing Innovation and Design Process Credits for LEED. Certification ...is important to anyone involved with major green building projects and is useful for building professionals who will engage in more lengthy training to become LEED® accredited professionals. n nThe U.S. Green Building Council is installing its third-generation version green building performance rating and certification system, LEED®. The 2009 revisions focus mainly on further reductions in  more...

Pros and Cons of Cost-Plus vs. Fixed Price Contracts ...projects offer different protections and incentives for both owners and contractors. With today's economic pressures, it is important that project participants know the factors to consider in choosing between these pricing approaches and to understand the advantages and disadvantages to each. n nThe current economic situation has imposed great strains on the construction market. Every project  more...

The Streamlined Sales Tax Project - How and Why It Affects Your Business ...Project is an effort by state representatives to implement a national uniform, simplified system of sales and use tax compliance. After more than five years of their efforts, the Simplified Sales and Use Tax Agreement came into effect on October 1, 2005. The SSTP now includes 19 full member states and three associate member states. Although initially taking effect as a voluntary program for  more...

Lease vs. Buy: Choosing the Best Option nThe decision to finance business equipment through lease programs or by purchases is one of the most difficult and important decisions faced by businesses every day. Making the wrong choice can not only result in economic loss but significant disruption of business, loss of time and opportunity. This teleconference will provide you with a comparison of the benefits and pitfalls of financing  more...

How to Get Your Prospect to Move From "I ll Think It Over" to Yes! ...en these phrases can be the kiss of death to your deal or project. Let's face the truth - when you hear someone give those replies, most of the time they're not moving in a positive direction. This teleconference will tell you specifically what you can do to reduce the amount of times you get those responses and what to do when you hear those replies. You'll get sales skills, people skills,  more...

What You Need to Know About Section 404 Permits ...project involving wetlands or other waters of the United States is likely to require some type of permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As the federal agency responsible for regulating impacts to wetlands, the Corps' regulations and the permit process can represent a significant part of a project's development. The identification of wetlands or other waters on a project site,  more...

Common NEPA Mistakes and How to Avoid Them nSince 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act has been the cornerstone for environmental protection in the United States. To implement NEPA, federal agencies must prepare environmental impact statements or environmental assessments to study the impacts of their proposed actions. Unfortunately, some federal agencies, their consultants and affected citizens do not fully understand the  more...

Problems and Risks Associated With Green Construction ...o expand, causing many diverse owner/developer groups and project types to embrace these technologies, design elements and operation models. Moving in the green direction without proper preparation may cause a development to see red in the form of red tape, interruptions and negative bottom-line impacts. In this teleconference, we will be going beyond the basic principles of designing and  more...

On-Site Power Generation: Challenges, Opportunities and New Developments ...ent facilities; certain security or public safety related projects, including 911 call centers, emergency or disaster response centers; airport air traffic control towers; and other critical transportation centers. The common theme of these facilities is the need for highly reliable and stable power systems to support critical functions. n nMission critical actually refers to any enterprise  more...

Current Trends in Transit-Oriented Development nAs the United States faces the most severe economic recession since the Great Depression, one sector of real estate - transit-oriented development - is situated to protect investors from the economic downturn and deliver attractive long-term profits. TOD provides a new investment opportunity for both the public and private sectors as our cities are faced with the challenges of rapid price  more...

Reading and Understanding Soil Reports nJust because you have hired a consultant to provide you a soils report does not necessarily mean it will be put to good use. Many of the terms and even the recommendations given in soils reports could use some explanation. This teleconference helps the users of the soils report(s) understand what type of soils report you may need, the technical terms found within the soils report, what is really  more...

Detention Pond Design: Water Storage Solutions nYou will learn design tips for both dry and wet storm water management ponds. You will understand the relationship between variables in hydrologic and hydraulic runoff models and their impact on pond design. You will learn about the impact of USEPA Phase II storm water regulation. n nLearning objectives: n- The attendee will be able to differentiate wet vs. dry ponds. n- The attendee will be able  more...

Green Contracting: the Federal Government's Procurement Policies nMany federal contractors will have questions regarding the effective implementation of the OFPP policy and will further be concerned as to whether its costs will impact their competitiveness or ability to perform economically. Additionally, the monitoring and reporting that the government will require will have an impact on time and costs and one wonders if contractual sanctions will be imposed  more...

Understanding the Federal Construction Bidding Process nThe federal construction bidding process is complex. This teleconference will review the complicated federal construction bidding process, including sealed bidding procedures and negotiated procurements. You'll learn about practical substantive issues that commonly arrive in preparing a bid or proposal for federal construction work, such as proprietary specifications, design vs. performance  more...

Challenges and Contractual Issues With Sub-Subcontractors ...reserve its relationship with the prime contractor on its projects. In doing so, a subcontractor is often tempted if not altogether resigned to subject itself to unfavorable indemnification clauses, payment clauses, etc. However, a contract that is overly favorable to a prime contractor and places you at risk is too dangerous in today's construction climate. n nThis teleconference will help  more...

Reclamation and Rehabilitation of Vacant Properties nDistressed real estate is easy to find in this market. To come out of the recession, just waiting for the economic cycle to change for the better may not be enough. Coming out of the recession will require new techniques. The sprawl model is dying and not just because of swings in energy prices. Consumers increasingly enjoy urban settings and lifestyles. This is driven by demographics and  more...

Sustainable Development and Land Use: The Future is Here and it is Green nBuilding green was for years entirely voluntary. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® program and other high performance building rating systems are not legislated by any governmental entity and they are not designed to be mandatory. But thanks to an explosion of state legislation and local ordinances across the country, green building methods and requirements have now been given the force of  more...

Liability Issues for Design Professionals nIt is critical that design professionals keep up with the major issues affecting their profession. These issues range from the more traditional ones such as standard of care, indemnity, and ownership and use of documents to the more recent issues such as electronic media, building information modeling and limitation of liability. The effect on the design profession of these issues is even more  more...

Avoiding the Pitfalls of GMP Contracting ...project delivery systems that reduce the duration from project conception to project completion, one of the most common approaches has included the use of guaranteed maximum price contracts. However, as the use of these contract formats has proliferated, so have disputes that strongly suggest that the parties using them do not fully understand (a) the differences between GMP contracts and the  more...

Effective Job Cost Reports in Construction Project Management .... One of the most important management tools available to project teams is the job cost report. Properly designed and used, the JCR can be a powerful document that provides an up-to-date snapshot of the project status that also highlights potential problems before they seriously impact a project's success. This 90 minute teleconference will address the entire life cycle of the JCR, including  more...

New Rules for Compensatory Mitigation Under Section 404 nIn 2008, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers adopted new rules that dramatically changed its approach to mitigation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates fill in wetlands and other waters of the United States. The new rules adopt a mitigation hierarchy that moves away from the prior preference for onsite, in-kind mitigation in favor of mitigation banks and watershed-based  more...

Noise Control Design for Condominium and Multifamily Dwellings nToday's condominium buyers have become much more sophisticated with respect to acoustical issues, largely because of the horror stories related to them by the media and their acquaintances. Buyers not only want a condominium unit that is quiet when the building is complete, but they also want assurance during the design and sales process that footfall noise from above and airborne noise from  more...

Design Professionals' Exposure for Design Errors and Omissions ...tifying and evaluating risk for design professionals on a project-by-project basis, complex issues concerning measure of damages, insurance and other potential sources of risk must be understood and examined on every project. This teleconference will identify the areas of greatest risk and address how insurance and contractual protections can be used to minimize the exposure of the design  more...

Current Issues in the Battle of the Forms nMany disputes and expensive lawsuits can be avoided by focusing pre-contract on the preprinted, boilerplate contract terms few people ever read until there is a problem. And one of the most expensive issues to litigate is what terms control the contract the parties have entered into. This is commonly referred to by lawyers, and ultimately the clients are unwittingly dragged into the dispute, as  more...

Construction Project Closeout: Is Your Customer Satisfied? ...project completion - register for this thorough teleconference today. You'll learn the proactive strategies you need to make sure project closeout goes smoothly and you're not spending the final days dealing with claims and complaints. n nOur expert will give you tips on establishing a bulletproof closeout checklist, handling move coordination and dealing with owner training - all the skills  more...

Effective Contract Negotiations: The Fusion of Law, Relationships and Project Expectations ...hasing law, as well as contract approaches to significant project risk issues: scope, schedule, price and the author's other "big three." What do you think those are? The teleconference will identify approaches to the thorny issues of indemnification and liability allocation. You'll learn about strategies for crafting constructive approaches to recurring contract administration issues and  more...

CPM in Construction Management: Preventing and Measuring Delays ...its This teleconference will discuss how to use today's project management tools effectively to identify project delays before they are insurmountable. You'll learn how to use the schedules persuasively and reliably to measure and quantify project delays. The discussion will also provide the technical and legal foundation for the techniques presented. You will be brought up to date on the  more...