Category A | Studies, Research & Consulting
Non-design services, projects not involving the preparation of construction documents consisting of but not limited to the following types of projects:
• New products, materials, & technologies
• Expert testimony
• Basic research & studies
• Computer/software technology
• Technical papers
• Public outreach/involvement
• Water conservation
• Security plans
• Project feasibility studies/economic/risk
• Value engineering
Category B | Building/Technology Systems
• Mechanical/electrical/plumbing
• Computer/technology
• Communications
• Acoustics
• Software systems
• Sustainability or carbon neutrality
• Efficiency certification standards, e.g. LEED®
• Energy efficiency - new & retrofit
• Secure facilities (military research/correctional
Category C | Structural Systems
• Foundations
• Tunnels
• Buildings
• Seismic design
• Towers
Category D | Surveying & Mapping Technology
• Geometrics, ALTA, land title & rights surveys
• Control, GPS, monitoring, or construction surveying
• Survey mapping, GIS/LIS, photogrammetry
Category E | Environmental
• Hazardous waste
• Solid waste
• Restoration/reclamation remediation
• Air quality
• Noise
• Recycling
• Waste pond management
• Carbon Sequestration & Trading
• Mitigation
Category F | Waste & Storm Water
• Wastewater collection treatment and disposal
• Residuals management & reuse
• Graywater systems
• CSOs
• Mine tailings
• Agricultural
• Storm water management
• Erosion control
Category G | Water Resources
• Hydraulics, hydrology
• Surface and groundwater supply development
• Treatment
• Watershed management
• Transmission, distribution & storage
• Water use reduction
• Flood risk management
• Climate adaptation
• Coastal & eco-system restoration
• Locks/dams/water control structures
• Irrigation
Category H | Transportation
• Highways
• Railroads
• Airports
• Marine/ports
• Public transit
• Intermodal facilities
Category I | Special Projects
• Safety & security
• Corrosion protection/cathodic protection
• Land development
• Program & construction management
• Trenchless technologies/directional boring
• Recreational facilities
• Subsurface engineering
Category J | Small Projects
Total project construction budget does not exceed $2.5 million. At the entrant’s discretion, except for entries in Category A, projects under $2.5 million are not limited to this category.
Category K | Energy
• Transmission & distribution
• Power generation
• Renewable energy
• Cogeneration
• Energy storage technologies
• Energy usage reduction programs
• Demand side management
Category L | Industrial & Manufacturing Processes/Facilities
• Petrochemical
• Biotech
• Manufacturing
• Heavy industry
• Industrial waste
• Materials handling
• Mining, metallurgy, mineralogy
