UPDATE
May 15, 2020
FEDERAL UPDATE


Treasury and SBA added two additional Q&A relative to extension of the safe harbor date from May 14 th (today) to May 18 th – see the updated Frequently Asked Questions , Question 46 regarding the safe harbor and required certification, and Question 47 related to the extension.
STATE UPDATE
Governor Edwards signs Order moving Louisiana to Phase One on May 15th!

Governor John Bel Edwards formally declared that Louisiana will enter into Phase One of its Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana today when the Stay at Home Order was lifted and more businesses allowed to open with strict social distancing, enhanced sanitation and required masks for employees interacting with the public.

ACEC of LOUISIANA WEBINARS


ACECL Federal Legislation Round Table with ACEC Sr. Vice President Steve Hall on May 12, 2020

Meeting Recording:


Virtual Round Table with CPRA Executive Director Bren Haase & Staff

Meeting Recording:
SAVE THE DATE

VIRTUAL ROUND TABLE FOR ACECL FIRM PRINCIPALS
Moderator: Kenneth Smith, T. Baker Smith
Tuesday, May 26
12:30pm to 1:30pm
ACEC WEBINARS
The following webinar by ACEC is very timely as we all develop our return to work plans.

Guidelines and Protocols to Reduce Your Company’s Risk Exposure as You Bring Your Employees Back to the Office (Live Online Class)

Wednesday, May 20, 2020, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (Central)

Presenter: Jason Schwartz and Jessica Brown, GibsonDunn & Crutcher LLP
***Click the registration button to login to your ACEC National account and register.
  • You'll then be prompted to enter your email address and password before you can continue through the checkout process.
  • If you do not already have an account created, you can click the New Visitor Registration link above the login box to set one up.
  • You do not need your ACEC National member number to create an account. Simply using your firm email will allow you to get started.
Still having trouble logging in? Contact acecwebinars@acec.org for assistance.
Thursday, May 21st, 1:30-2:30 PM EST
  
Thursday, May 28th, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM EST
Presenter: Jackson Walsh, Morrissey Goodale LLC 
Three Essential Sessions to Prepare Your Young Professionals for the "New Normal"
ACEC's Young Professional Series invites your junior employees to join three complimentary online sessions designed to address their unique perspective and responsibilities in the midst of this uncertain business environment.
We know you're busy responding to new priorities, so let us prepare your staff for how business may change once we’re back in the office.

Monday, May 18th at 1:30 PM Eastern
As firm leaders focus on managing output, operations, and the bottom line, it becomes increasingly difficult for project engineers to identify how they can be most productive and remain indispensable, particularly if they are working remotely. This online class will discuss how young professionals can capitalize on their role, communicate with firm leadership, and contribute to the new goals of the firm.
Friday, May 22nd at 1:00 PM Eastern
Join other young professionals for an open discussion on the challenges you're facing working in a remote environment. Expected changes once businesses reopen and best practices for moving forward will also be covered.
Wednesday, May 27th at 1:30 PM Eastern
Rather than focusing on normal project deliverables and deadlines, the rising stars in your firm are now grappling with shifting client needs, change orders, and accounts receivable more than ever before. This session will cover ways they can continue fulfilling their changing role with clients.
Position Your Firm for Growth and Longevity: Lessons Learned from the Coronavirus Pandemic

Held May 14 at 2:30pm. You can click here to stream the recording , and a copy of the presentation slides is attached above.
MODEL SAFE AT WORK/RETURN TO WORK POLICY

Working with the HR Council, ACECL developed the attached  Safe at Work / Return to Work Policy/Infectious Disease Policy  template for firms to customize according to your standard operations and office culture. We know you are already making plans for how to transition to more employees working at the office. This policy is simply offered as a resource to complement your own planning as the state moves toward easing of stay-at-home restrictions. There is both a version that can be edited as well as a PDF version which activates all the hyperlinks so you can access the resources. To activate the links in your own final policy document - if being distributed electronically or posted online - simply save your version as a PDF. The links are not active in the word document.

You are welcome to call me if you have any questions. These suggestions are consistent with recommendations identified through extensive research. However, they should not substitute for your own management decision-making. This document is intended to be tailored to fit your individual circumstances.
CARING AND SHARING
ACEC Business Impact Survey (Wave 6) results. 

Summary

  • 88% of respondents applied for a PPP loan. 94% of those were approved.

  • 86% of PPP loans were for less than 2 million. 96% of firms with more than 200 FTEs received a loan for more than $2 million.

  • 64% plan to use all the PPP loan. 22% plan to use some of the loan and return some of it. Only 2% plan to return it all.
  • Firms report working on new projects directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic response (up from 8% to 12%.)

  • Firms feel it will take 12 to 18 months for a return to normal (up from 27% to 36%.)

  • Fourteen percent of firms have already re-opened at least some of their offices.

  • The number of firms that have created a plan for re-opening has more than doubled (20% to 42%.)

  • A majority of firms plan to implement a large number of safety measures once they re-open. Maintaining social distancing (95%) and allowing staff to work remotely to care for others (85%) top the list.

  • Nearly half of firms (49%) say they will restrict or prohibit domestic travel for training/events/conferences after stay-at-home orders are lifted. 
Members, If you have worked on any projects in response to COVID19 please send me an email. I would like to compile a list of the work the consultant engineering community has provided in direct response to COVID19.