News Briefs

• Engineers' group files suit to protect qualifications-based selection. The National Society of Professional Engineers has sued the U.S. government in an effort to force federal agency compliance with the 1972 Brooks Act (amended in 1988), which requires federal agencies to use qualifications-based selection when procuring architectural, engineering, surveying, mapping, and related services. Federal agencies have ignored the amended act for years.
• Lab construction costs continue to climb. The cost to build a laboratory in the U.S. increased 6-10% within the past year—the third increase in as many years, according to the "2006 R&D Facility Construction Cost Index Report," compiled by HLW International and AccuCost Construction. What's causing the increase? Higher commodity prices, inflation, and increased labor costs, to name a few.
• Frank Lloyd Wright's only skyscraper to be honored by the National Building Museum. The 19-story Price Tower in Bartlesville, Okla., will be the subject of an exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The exhibit, which will be on display June 17-September 17, will display more than 100 drawings, models, photographs, documents, building components, and furnishings from the building.

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