CMAA News

As the season changes and occasional rain storms break up our string of sunny Southern California days, the construction industry braces itself to weather the economic storm also in our midst. The global recession, compounded by the domestic credit crunch, has left many in our industry engaged in a game of “wait and see”. Capital markets pulled financing from development projects almost overnight, while the State budget impasse resulted in a bottleneck of funding from Sacramento. Despite the confluence of events that have created this perfect storm, construction in Southern California is better suited to lead the comeback than most other industries in our region.

Finally, a consensus to mend infrastructure…now what?
At last, we seem to have national agreement on the need to invest heavily in infrastructure, as part of a stimulus strategy to get the nation back on a path to prosperity.

But what form will this investment take? Will it be careful, targeted, thoughtful? Or will it be a pell-mell rush to get “shovels in the ground by spring?”

2007-2008 Chapter of the Year and Award of Excellence Recipients
During the record turn-out 2008 National Conference & Trade Show, held in San Francisco this past October, eight chapters were recognized for excellence in the specific categories given below. Please join us in congratulating your peers on achieving this well-deserved recognition.

2009 Construction Management Project Achievement Awards
Construction Management Association of America Southern California Chapter is pleased to announce its seventh annual awards program to recognize outstanding achievement in the practice of construction management. Award winners will serve as examples for CMAA to promote professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction process.

Commissioning “Lite” An Affordable Commissioning Service
Commissioning appears to be traditionally classified as a desired, in lieu of a required, professional scope of services. A project’s deterrent to this service has been the perception of commissioning as a cost prohibitive scope. However, we believe that a proper understanding of the commissioning process will demonstrate that the total project cost will be either cost neutral or marginally above the estimated project budget.

Sole-sourcing to Match Existing
When there is a one line entry, deep in the project specifications, calling for a particular product from one, designated manufacturer "to match existing," can the contractor, nonetheless, accept or-equal bids from other manufacturers, and, more importantly, must the agency consider and accept another manufacturer's product if it is equal to what was specified?

Member Achievement Recognition
Hello CMAA So Cal Chapter!

Have you or a CMAA So Cal Chapter member you know recently been promoted, received an award/recognition or changed jobs? We would like to highlight and share the achievements of our members in our upcoming CMAA So Cal Quarterly eNewsletter!

SDay at the Links
Prior to the start of the Southern California Chapter’s fourth annual Golf Tournament the 160 participants were treated to limitless driving range balls, valet golf bag service, a delicious barbeque lunch and plenty of complementary sponsor give away items. This year’s golf tournament was held at the Black Gold Golf course in Yorba Linda. Although it is a public course, it had the look and feel of a private one. The greens and rolling fairways were in tip-top condition, the scenic back drop of the Yorba Linda hills provided a majestic setting and the weather was a balmy 81°. The Black Gold staff provided five-star service, catering to the golfers needs throughout the day and into the evening
reception.

SThe Port of Los Angeles and Parsons recently completed the spectacular new Waterfront Gateway Project.
The Waterfront Gateway Project included two water feature elements and is a continuation of the Bridge to Breakwater development by the Port of Los Angeles (Port) aimed at improving public access to the working port waterfront. The water features contained in this project were designed by Wet Design®, noted for their design of the Bellagio water feature in Las Vegas, NV. The Construction Management Team provided exemplary constructability review, bid-ability review, and contract administration that lead to the successful completion of this important and impactful project.

CCM Committee Highlights
Your 2009 CCM Committee is actively looking for ways to serve the membership this year, and has put together a Certified Construction Manager Standards of Practice course to be held in Irvine January 29-31, 2009. As part of our arrangement with CMAA National, a certification test will be offered within one week of this course, so this is a great time to get certified. Set yourself apart from the competition by demonstrating your construction management expertise. Please look for upcoming announcements, but be sure to book your space soon, as there are limited seats available.

Standards of Practice (SOP) Review Course
Date: January 28-30, 2009
Hosted by: CMAA Southern CA Chapter and Harris & Association

The CM Standards of Practice Review Course (CMSPRC) is designed for an advanced group of CMs preparing for his/her CCM. Content is derived from the Construction Management Core Competencies and the CMAA Body of Knowledge. Instructional materials and instructors are provided by CMAA. Certificates and credit transcripts are provided to each course participant. While the CMSPRC is a review course, it is no guarantee of successfully completing the certification examination.

Southern California CCM in the Spotlight
“Being a woman in the field of construction has its unique advantages. People always ask how it feels to be in a male dominated profession and I consistently respond that it is a great opportunity to earn respect. Ultimately one has to be good at one’s job but certainly being a CCM has helped get things started off on the right foot by providing assurance to clients, contractors and peers that they are dealing with an individual who must have a solid background in construction having gone through such a rigorous process. As a CCM we must all strive to keep those expectations high and not disappoint. Remember that our actions have an enormous impact on our profession whether we are on the same Team or competing for the same projects,
as it is always our responsibility to maintain the highest level of professionalism. “

News from the Construction Manager Certification Institute
CMCI’s Board of Governors has approved a new recertification/renewal policy that increases the emphasis on Professional Development as the prime area in which CCMs must remain active in order to earn the “points” needed to renew their credential.

New California Law Will Require Major Changes in Construction Contracts

Owners and General Contractors Can No Longer Rely on Subcontractors to Defend and Indemnify Them for Certain Losses on Residential Projects.
New Rules on Wrap-Up Insurance Programs Will Require Disclosures on Both Residential and Commercial Projects, and Affect the Allocation of Deductibles.

Passage of Measure Q Invests in Students and Local Economy
The Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) New School Construction and Modernization Program has delivered 76 new schools and completed more than 17,600 modernization projects at existing school campuses, thanks to a series of local and State bonds voters have passed dating back to 1997. These projects translate to significant improvements in our students’ schools, with the number of schools operating on a year round calendar reduced by half and a significant decrease in the number of students bused away from their neighborhood school due to overcrowding.

Membership Report
The CMAA SoCal Chapter hopes you had a wonderful Holiday Season. We would like to introduce you to its new Membership Chairwoman and Committee Volunteers. Natasha DeBenon, of Hill International has been elected as the new chairwoman. Joining her are four volunteers: Claudia Hill of Seville Construction Services, Randy Nadalo and Ashley McInerney of Aerotek, and Rick Meade of HNTB.

Student Outreach Committee in full swing!
The Student Outreach Committee is actively coordinating with our local university chapters at University of Southern California and California State University Northridge. We are working to form new chapters at California State University Long Beach, California State Polytechnic University Pomona and California State Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo.

Upcoming Events

Member's Only - Dinner Program Sponsorships Available
Click here for details and application.

CMAA SCA Dinner Table RSVP Form
Click here for details and application.

Download Event Receipt for your records.

Friday January 23, 2009
Change Orders
Downtown Marriott, Los Angeles.
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Click here to download event flier.

Wednesday January 28, 2009
Construction Law Update
The Grand Conference Center, Long Beach.
8:00 - 10:30 am
Click here to download event flier.

Thursday January 29, 2009
Owners' Night
The Grand Conference Center, Long Beach.
5:00 – 8:30 pm
Click here to download event flier.
Click here to download Sponsor form.

Wednesday February 18, 2009
LAUSD & LACCD Bond Program Updates
Downtown Marriott, Los Angeles.
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Click here to download event flier.

Thursday February 19, 2009
Charting the Course to Successful Change Order Management
The Grand Conference Center, Long Beach.
8:00 - 10:30 am
Click here to download event flier.

The Mission of CMAA is "to promote and enhance leadership, professionalism, and excellence
in managing the development and construction of projects and programs."

The Vision of CMAA is "to be the Authority in the Management of the Construction Process."