ACEC/Massachusetts Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commitment Award

ACEC/Massachusetts Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commitment Award

Apply by January 12, 2024

ACEC/MA is committed to an open and inclusive business environment in the consulting engineering, land surveying, and A/E firms statewide. For FY2024, we are pleased to announce our inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment Award. This award honors a firm’s ingenuity, leadership, and commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the profession.

Specifically, the award aims to elevate the important impact of an organization that has demonstrated value beyond expectations and requirements —as a representative of new standards of excellence– to ensure advance of DEI within the industry.  Applicants will be evaluated on their commitment and progress to building meaningful partnerships across both their organization and the profession, having an impact in the community, and providing opportunities for advancement of their employees and stakeholders.

Applications are due by January 12, 2024. All applicants will be recognized on the ACEC Massachusetts website. Eligibility, Application Requirements, and Evaluation criteria information is provided below. Award winners will be evaluated by the criteria below. ACEC/MA will award one firm in each of the following categories:

1. Small: 50 employees or less (firmwide)
2. Medium: between 51 and 500 employees (firmwide)
3. Large: 500 employees or more (firmwide)

 Awardees will be announced and recognized at the ACEC/MA Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on March 28, 2024.

Eligibility

• An entry can be submitted by any ACEC/MA Member firm with a Massachusetts office

Application Requirements

• Provide full anonymity for the firm by removing references to your firm name in the response to questions below. Firm and demographic data will be collected in a separate questionnaire.  The submitter may identify the client/ owner/ prime and any projects.
• Maximum word count is 500 words per each question.
• Provide a narrative that describes the firm’s history of commitment to DEI, current demographics, and details for the following three questions:

• Demonstrate the firm’s internal commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Highlight some of the initiatives you have taken internally to raise the awareness of DEI across your firm
  • Highlight initiatives to create opportunities (professional development, diversify workforce) within your firm
  • Highlight initiatives to create a sense of belonging, DEI culture within your firm

• Demonstrate the firm’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Externally (within the Business Partners/Firms/Industry, Community/Youth Engagement, STEM/Internships, etc.)
  • Provide examples of where your employees and firm have made on impact on supporting DEI in professional organizations and within the community.

• Demonstrate commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within Project Delivery:
  • Describe the work your firm has done in support of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion on a project(s).  Letters of endorsement from clients/owners for the applicable projects are highly encouraged.
    • i.e.: Project Team (and Leadership) composition, type of projects, EJ/community outreach, meeting DBE goals, meaningful engagement/contribution
  • Large & Medium Firms:
    • demonstrate DBEs/small business meaningful participation on projects
      • Project experience example(s)
  • Small Firms: Demonstrate commitment to meaningful contribution to projects
    • Project experience example(s)