ENGINEERING

EXCELLENCE AWARDS

CALL FOR ENTRIES 2021

ACEC INDIANA

ELIGIBILITYAny firm engaged in the private practice of consulting engineering or surveying in the state of Indiana is eligible toenter the awards program whether or not the firm is an ACEC IN member.   Projects may have been executedanywhere in the world, but a substantial role must have been completed by personnel in an Indiana office.  

Research and Studies (Category A) or Surveying and Mapping projects (Category D) must have been publiclydisclosed by the client between Nov. 1, 2018 and Oct. 31, 2020.  Construction of projects (Categories B through L—withthe exception of D) must have been substantially completed and ready for use between Nov. 1, 2018 and Oct. 31, 2020.A firm may submit a maximum of four project entries per year.  

UPDATESAll submissions must be completed with the online entry form and Submission PowerPoint Template.  No binders/ physical materials will be accepted.

Due to the current state of COVID-19, your 2021 Entry fee will not include 2 client invitations from ACEC Indiana.  

AWARD LEVELSGrand Project Award will be selected from the eligible Honor Award recipients.  This will not be announced until theMarch Awards Luncheon.Honor Awards will be given at the recommendation of the judges.  All Honor Awards are eligible to progress to theNational ACEC EEA Competition, at the firm's expense.  ACEC National rules and submission criteria differ GREATLYfrom ACEC Indiana's, visit: https://www.acec.org/awards-programs/engineering-excellence-awards/ for details.Merit Awards are given to those projects worthy of recognition.  All qualifying project submissions are eligible for State Finalist acknowledgement.

Award Plaques will be presented to the firm and owner/client at the Engineering Excellence Awards LuncheonBanquet.  **Additional plaques may be ordered at the winner’s expense.

ENTRY CRITERIAENTRY DEADLINE - Online entry submission must be completed by:  Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at midnight.

FEE- $600 entry fee per project for ACEC Indiana members;  $1,200 entry fee per project for non-ACEC Indianamembers.  

JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL- Entries will be judged on the basis of total engineering excellence. Entries will also bejudged on the basis of the work performed by the entering firm only and according to the rating guidelines listed onpage 3.  

LETTER FROM OWNER/ CLIENT- Endorsement or release letter from both the client and owner, if different.Suggested words:  “As owner/client, I am (we are) satisfied with the work of (the consulting engineer) and herebygrant permission to enter this project in the ACEC Indiana and ACEC 2019 Engineering Excellence Awards Competitionand authorize publication of any features or innovations.  I (we) further certify that the project was substantiallycomplete and ready for use between Nov. 1, 2018 and Oct. 31, 2020.”

RESEARCH OR CONSULTING SERVICES- Entries in Category A (refer to page 3 for category listing) must beaccompanied by a supplementary REPORT containing findings, graphs, drawings and other material as applicable. 

ELIGIBILITY, CRITERIA &

AWARD LEVELS

RATING GUIDELINES &

PROJECT CATEGORIES

RATING GUIDELINES FOR JUDGINGThe following four criteria are what the judges look for and rate submitted projects according.  Criteria 1-4 will beweighted at 25 percent of the rating system.    

1.  Original or innovative application of new or existing techniques.  Does the entry demonstrate the use of a newscience or break-through in the general knowledge of engineering?  Does the entry represent aunique  application of different technology,  techniques, materials or equipment?  Did the entrant use any originalor  innovative approaches to meet the client’s time schedule?  

2.  Future value to the engineering profession and perception by the public.   Will the entry redefine currentengineering thinking?  Does the entry advance a positive public image of engineering excellence?

3.  Social, economic and sustainable design considerations.  Do the solutions identified produce  secondarybenefits of value to the community environment? Does the entrant’s approach provide society with social,economic, or  sustainable development benefits?  Is public health, safety, or welfare  significantly improved as aresult of the entrant’s, and/or affected environment’s, contribution to the project?  Is it an economical and cost-effective solution that met or fell below the original budget estimate?

4.  Complexity.  Did the entry successfully address very complex criteria or unique problems?  Were extraordinaryproblems of site, location, hazardous conditions, project requirements, or similar elements present?  Did the entryrequire the use of out-of-the-ordinary technology or ingenuity for achievement of the project’s goals?

DATES TO REMEMBER

Nov. 6, 2020, midnightSubmit completed online entry

Mid/ Late November ACEC Indiana judging occurs

Early DecemberACEC Indiana award levelsannounced

Jan. 8, 2021Projects eligible (Honor Awardrecipients) for entry into ACECNational competition due.  Submitting firm carries entry feeresponsibility 

TBA 2021ACEC Indiana Awards Banquetor Virtual Event 

April 27, 2021ACEC National Awards CeremonyWashington, D.C.