Annual Engineering Excellence Awards

2008 Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet

Saturday, November 15, 2008
La Paloma Resort, Tucson, Arizona

Download the 2008 Engineering Excellence Awards Information and Entry Form

The engineering excellence awards are presented annually by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona to recognize engineering achievements, which demonstrate the highest degree of merit and ingenuity. GRAND AWARDS give tribute to Arizona’s most prestigious and distinguished engineering projects. Entries are judged on the basis of:

• Original or Innovative Application of New or Existing Techniques
• Future Value to the Engineering Profession and Perception by the Public
• Social, Economic, and Sustainable Design Considerations
• Complexity
• Exceeding Client/Owner Needs

General Criteria

1. Projects entered in the competition may have been executed anywhere in Arizona. Research studies must have been publicly disclosed by the client between January 1, 2006 and August 22, 2007. Construction projects must be substantially completed and ready for use between January 1, 2006 and August 22, 2007.
2. Each entry must be accompanied by a special notebook and a display panel as indicated under the section on “How To Submit An Entry.” Non-compliance with the rules will automatically disqualify an entry. Please read requirements thoroughly.
3. ACEC of Arizona will not be responsible for any damage or loss to entrant’s panel or notebook.
4. The Engineering Excellence Awards Committee reserves the right to determine eligibility of all entries.

Awards

Grand Awards will be awarded at the judges’ discretion. Honor Awards may be presented to other selected entries of superior quality. There is no specific number of awards given as Grand Awards or Honor Awards. The engineering firms submitting winning entries, along with their owners/clients, will receive awards as follows:

Grand Award Winners

• Will be honored at the Annual ACEC of AZ Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet on October 13th.
• Firms and Owners/Clients will be presented with the Grand Award at the Banquet on October 13th.
• Recognized in Engineering Excellence promotions and written materials.
• Panels will be on display during the awards banquet and will be displayed throughout the state.

Judges Award

• The project receiving the highest overall rating from the Judges will be singled out for special recognition at the Awards Banquet on October 13th.

Honor Award Winners

• Firms and Owners/Clients will be recognized with an Honor Award at the Banquet on October 13th.
• Recognized in Engineering Excellence promotions and written materials.
• Panels will be on display during the awards banquet and will be displayed throughout the state.

Judging

Entries will be judged on the basis of total engineering excellence. The judges may select as many Grand and Honor Awards as they deem appropriate. Entries will be judged on the basis of the work performed by the submitting firm alone and according to the rating guidelines listed herein.

Definitions of Rating Guidelines

1. Original or Innovative Application of New or Existing Techniques
   Does the entry demonstrate use of a new science or a breakthrough in the general knowledge of engineering?
   Does the entry represent a unique application of different technology techniques, materials, or equipment?
2. Future Value to the Engineering Profession
   Will the entry redefine current engineering thinking?
   Does the entry advance a positive public image of engineering excellence?
3. Social, Economic, and Sustainable Design Considerations
   Do the solutions identified produce secondary benefits of value to the community environment?
   Does the entrant’s approach provide society with social, economic, or sustainable development benefits?
   Is public’s health, safety, or welfare significantly improved as a result of the entrant’s, and/or affected environment’s, contribution to the project?
4. Complexity
   Did the entry successfully address very complex criteria or unique problems?
   Were extraordinary problems of site, location, hazardous conditions, project requirements or similar elements present?
   Did the entry require the use of out-of-the-ordinary technology or ingenuity for achievement of the projects’ goals?
5. Exceeding Owner/Client Needs
   Did the engineer or entrant successfully engage the client/owner in the overall project development process?
   Is it an economical and cost-effective solution? How did final cost relate to original budget estimate?
   How closely does the entrant’s solution meet the total goals of the client/owner?
   Did the entrant meet the client’s time schedule?

Rating Guidelines for Judging