While the month of September saw a slip in the Billings Index, the American Institute of Architects reports that the index has jumped to 49.4 in October. The last time the Index came in above 50 was in August at 51.4. Any reading below 50 is said to indicate a decrease in commercial building construction 6 to 9 months in the future. Read the entire article and view a more complete list of indices here.

AGC environmental victories include “wins” on issues such as: National Air Standards, EPA’s ‘Mud Rule,’ Fly Ash in Construction, Lead Paint ‘Clearance’ Testing, Off-road Diesel Emissions Rules and Funding for Diesel Retrofit. These efforts save member firms billions of dollars every year.

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 674, a bill to repeal the 3 percent withholding law. The vote passed 422 to 0 and will be sent to the president for his signature. Today’s legislative victory was the culmination of over five years of work by AGC, AGC Chapters, AGC members and coalition partners.

AGC of America and the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) have launched a partnership designed to educate the construction community about the lean construction process. The first-ever lean construction education program will include the latest research and content thanks to an agreement announced between AGC and LCI. Both groups will now be able to work together to create additional resources for contractors about lean construction because of the new agreement. Learn about the Lean Construction Forum and the AGC Lean Construction Education Program. Click here to read more about the partnership.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met today to consider H.R. 1734, the “Civilian Property Realignment Act.” The bill, sponsored by House Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), would employ a Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)-like process for civilian properties, reduce the federal footprint and save taxpayers billions of dollars. AGC has been working with committee staff to better understand the impact of this legislation and how the construction industry can play a large part in ensuring the success of this effort.

Construction projects are increasingly more complex. Cash is now the grand emperor of survival and competition for fewer jobs is intense. Contractors must do more with fewer resources and greater cooperation is needed to have successful projects. Come learn about how Lean Construction processes deliver solutions that work. This webinar will introduce the basic principles and three proven techniques of Lean applied to construction.

The AGC IPD and Lean Construction Building Conference was held Sept. 21-24, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas with a record attendance of more than 230 participants.  Building construction contractors, construction project owners, design professionals, attorneys, suppliers and service suppliers came together to hear from an excellent line-up of industry experts about the impact of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Lean Construction on the construction industry.

AGC continues to call for greater transparency, accountability and oversight in the development of national rules covering Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) activities.  AGC helped to bring some positive movement this summer on the “residential” side of the LRRP rule – which is now in full effect – and influenced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to abandon lead-dust sample and testing for repair work on homes, schools and daycare centers built prior to 1978.

ConsensusDOCS® has just published contract guidance addressing a new critical insurance issue that impacts construction contracts. ACORD, the licensing company for insurance forms, has amended their certificate of insurance form requirements.

Project Delivery Systems for Construction-Third Edition explores traditional and alternative project delivery systems including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Construction Management At-Risk, Integrated Project Delivery, and more.