• Milwaukee School of Engineering; and

• Southern Polytechnic State University.

A panel of judges read, discussed, and scored the written proposals submitted by 26 MCAA student chapters and a student chapter sponsored by MCA of Hamilton in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. In addition to the four finalists, proposals were submitted by: California State Polytechnic University at Pomona; California State Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo; California State University at Chico; Central Washington University; Colorado State University; Fairleigh Dickinson University; Florida International University; Iowa State University; Kansas State University; McMaster University (Canada); Northeastern University; Northern Kentucky University; Pennsylvania State University; Pittsburg State University; Oregon State University; Purdue University; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Nebraska - Lincoln; University of Wisconsin - Stout; University of Washington; Washington State University; Weber State University; and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

The judges — Kathleen McCauley of McCauley Mechanical Construction Inc., Bridgeview, Ill.; James R. Jarvis of J.F. Ahern Co., Fond du Lac, Wis.; Arnold “Woody” Woodall of W.L. Gary Co., Washington, D.C.; and Troy Aichele of Stirrett-Johnsen Inc., Silverdale, Wash. — evaluated and scored each written proposal’s overall quality (25 percent), project management and organization (25 percent), feasibility of construction and program schedules (25 percent), and accuracy/feasibility of conceptual costs (25 percent).

The oral presentations will be evaluated by a different panel of judges according to the following criteria: overall quality of the oral presentation (30 percent); feasibility of project management, organization and schedule (30 percent); accuracy and completeness of project costs (30 percent); and answers to the judges’ questions (10 percent).

Each finalist team will have 20 minutes to convince the judges that they are best qualified to perform the proposed work on the project: 15 minutes for a formal oral presentation and 5 minutes responding to the judges’ questions. Each team’s standing will be determined on a combination of their oral and written scores.

This year’s competition is based on an actual project performed by the Marelich Mechanical Co. Inc., Hayward, Calif. The project involves HVAC and plumbing systems work on the renovation and remodeling of a 165,000-square-foot historical building. The building, which is located in San Francisco, was transformed from a library into the Asian Art Museum.

Finalists will compete for a $5,000 first-place prize. The second-place team will receive $2,500, and each of the other teams will receive $1,000. All finalists will also receive a trophy honoring their achievement.

For more information, visit www.mcaa.org.

Publication date: 01/23/2012