October 31, 2026

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ACEC Louisiana Recognized at ACEC Fall Conference in Phoenix

ACEC Louisiana was well represented at the ACEC National Fall Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, where engineering industry leaders from across the country gathered to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the business of engineering. From protecting firms against unreasonable contract provisions to opposing proposed changes to federal small business size standards, the conference reinforced the importance of a strong, unified voice for our industry at both the state and national levels.

The conference also provided an opportunity to recognize two outstanding individuals with Louisiana connections.

Louisiana Professionals Recognized Nationally

We are proud to congratulate Kimberly Koehl with McKim & Creed, who was recognized with an ACEC National Young Professional Award. This prestigious recognition highlights emerging leaders who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement, leadership, and service to the engineering profession. Kimberly's recognition is a tremendous accomplishment and reflects the caliber of young professionals working within our ACEC Louisiana member firms.

We also congratulate Kwabena Tyus, a student at LSU, who received the NCEES Professional Licensure Scholarship. This award recognizes promising future engineering professionals and reinforces the importance of professional licensure to our industry's future. It is always encouraging to see Louisiana students recognized nationally for their commitment to the profession.

Uninsurable Contract Clauses Remain a Major Concern

One of the more significant issues discussed during the conference was the growing use of uninsurable contract clauses in engineering agreements. Provisions that require design professionals to assume liability beyond their professional negligence, particularly broad indemnification and premature duty-to-defend requirements, continue to expose engineering firms to substantial financial risk.

This issue is especially relevant to ACEC Louisiana as we prepare to pursue legislation during the upcoming Louisiana Legislative Session to address duty-to-defend provisions that require design professionals to pay legal defense costs before fault has been determined.

Our position is straightforward: engineering firms should not be contractually obligated to assume financial liabilities that exceed their professional responsibility or cannot be covered by their professional liability insurance. Addressing these provisions is critical to protecting our member firms and ensuring a fair allocation of risk between engineers and project owners.

Proposed SBA Size Standard Increases Threaten Small Firms

Another major topic was the U.S. Small Business Administration's proposed increases to federal small business size standards, particularly those affecting engineering, architecture, and surveying-related businesses.

The SBA's proposal would dramatically increase the revenue thresholds used to determine which firms qualify as small businesses for federal contracting purposes. For engineering services, the proposed threshold would increase from $25.5 million to $252 million, potentially allowing large regional and national firms to compete for federal contracts specifically intended for small businesses.

ACEC Louisiana has already expressed strong opposition to these proposed increases and continues to advocate for adjustments based on inflation rather than dramatic increases that could undermine the intent of federal small business contracting programs.

We Need Your Voice! ACEC Louisiana strongly encourages our member firms to submit comments opposing these proposed increases. The SBA has extended the public comment period to November 20, 2026. It is important that the SBA hear directly from small engineering firms about how these changes could negatively impact their ability to compete for federal contracts.

Click Here to Submit Your Comments to the SBA

Bringing National Advocacy Back to Louisiana

The ACEC National Fall Conference provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas with our counterparts from other states, strengthen relationships with national leadership, and coordinate advocacy efforts on issues directly affecting our member firms.

Whether addressing unreasonable contract requirements, protecting small business opportunities, or developing the next generation of engineering professionals, the challenges facing our industry are not unique to Louisiana.

ACEC Louisiana will continue working alongside ACEC National and our fellow state organizations to advance policies that protect the business of engineering, reduce unnecessary financial exposure, and create opportunities for our member firms to succeed.

The Board of Governors will hold their next board meeting on November 20th, 2026.

Turner Insurance & Financial Services

LANYARD - Digital Engineering & Imaging, Inc.

WIFI - Urban Systems, Inc.

New Members of ACECL:   

Kimley-Horn

Garver, Inc.

Raba Kistner

NOVEMBER 18, 2026

Baton Rouge Marriott

5500 Hilton Ave.

Baton Rouge, La

6:00 p.m. - Cocktail Reception

7:00 p.m. - Dinner & Awards Ceremony

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS OR TABLES!

Faulk & Winkler LLC

Faulk & Winkler is a Baton Rouge-based CPA firm committed to positively impacting the well-being of those served by cultivating lasting relationships through personalized financial solutions. By working as business partners with their clients, they provide unique, change oriented, and value-driven results. With roots stemming back to 1984, Faulk & Winkler's team has developed a tradition of dependability and trust within the Baton Rouge community. 

https://www.fw-cpa.com/

November 2026

3           Election Day - Get out and vote!

12         New Orleans Chapter Luncheon

13         ACECL HR Forum (Virtual)

18         EEA Gala, Baton Rouge Marriott Hotel

19         Fall Conference, Baton Rouge Marriott Hotel

20         ACECL Board Meeting

ACEC Business Insurance Trust

ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

BAR Environmental, Inc.

Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP

Brown & Brown of Louisiana

Cadence Insurance

Contech Engineered Solutions

CxA Services, Inc.

EJ

ELOS Environmental, LLC

Environmental Technical Sales, Inc.

Faulk & Winkler

Foley & Judell, LLP

Gallagher Insurance

Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith, LLP

Gulf South Technology Solutions

Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP

Insperity

Keogh, Cox & Wilson

Quality Sitework Materials, Inc.

Tensar Corporation

Turner Insurance & Financial Services