The Engineering Excellence Awards
The engineering excellence awards are presented annually by the American Council of Engineering Companies - New Mexico to recognize engineering achievements, which demonstrate the highest degree of merit and ingenuity. The Awards pay tribute to New Mexico’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

Projects entered in the competition may have been executed anywhere in New Mexico. Research studies must have been publicly disclosed by the client between January 1, 2008 and August 22, 2008. Construction projects must be substantially completed and ready for use between January 1, 2008 and August 22, 2008 (Dates subject to change for 2009).

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.

ACEC of New Mexico will not be responsible for any damage or loss to entrant’s panel or notebook.

The Engineering Excellence Awards Committee reserves the right to determine eligibility of all entries.

Awards

Grand Conceptor, Large Firm, Small Firm and Winners in Category Awards will be awarded at the judges’ discretion. Honorable Mention and Special Project Awards may be presented to other selected entries of superior quality. There is no specific number of awards given.

The engineering firms submitting winning entries, along with their owners/clients, will receive awards.

All Award Winners

• Will be honored at the Annual ACEC of NM Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on April 17, 2009.
• Firms and Owners/Clients will be presented with the Grand Award at the Annual Meeting and Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on April 17, 2009.
• 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 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

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?

Future Value to the Engineering Profession
Will the entry redefine current engineering thinking?
Does the entry advance a positive public image of engineering excellence?

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?

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?

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
25% - Original or Innovative Application of New or Existing Techniques
20% - Future Value to the Engineering Profession and Perception by the Public
15% - Social, Economic, and Sustainable Design Considerations
20% - Complexity
20% - Exceeding Client/Owner Needs
100% = Total

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