**Please review all criteria and requirements prior to submitting an Intent to Compete registration.**
Application fees are non-refundable or transferable to a future submission.

ABC Chesapeake Shores invites you to enter your best projects in this year’s Excellence in Construction Awards competition. Join the ranks of hundreds of Merit Shop construction companies recognized as the best in the industry!

Our annual Excellence in Construction Awards recognizes and celebrates outstanding projects built by ABC Chesapeake Shores’ members. The awards competition serves to raise the construction standards throughout the industry by honoring quality craftsmanship produced by merit shop contractors and their employees.

All award winners will be recognized at our September 12, 2024 awards celebration. The ceremony will feature a presentation and a printed program highlighting each award-winning project.  Winners are eligible to compete for the National Excellence in Construction Awards. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible projects must have been completed (e.g. Certificate of Occupancy issued) between January 1, 2023 and June 1, 2024. Projects that won ABC awards in previous years are not eligible except in the case of substantial renovation or additions.

Other eligibility requirements:

• Only current ABC Chesapeake Shores (ABCCS) Members may enter.
• Any licensed general contractor, specialty contractor, or construction manager may enter.
• Subcontractors acting as the general contractor on the project entered are eligible.
• Joint ventures are elgibile if one of the firms is an ABCCS Member.
• Any company entering in the trade category must have self-performed the job.
• No project that was subject to a requirement that contractors enter into an agreement with any labor union as a condition of performing work is eligible.
• Projects that won ABC awards in previous years are not eligible except in the case of substantial renovation or additions.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications are submitted electronically following the below steps:
*It is recommended you use Google Chrome to ensure program compatibility.

1. Click "Apply Now!" above.
2. For first-time applicants, create a username and password to access the registration and application pages. If you have submitted previously, your username and password remains the same from year to year.
3. Complete Phase I—your intent-to-compete registration—and submit payment. You may select to pay by check or credit card (please note that credit card payments are subject to a 3% processing fee).
4. A confirmation email will be sent to you containing the link to continue on to Phase II—the application. You may save your information as you go and revisit the application as needed.
5. When ready, click Save and Finalize to submit the application. Once the application is finalized, you will no longer be able to make edits. A confirmation will be emailed to you.

HELPFUL LINKS & VIDEOS

• Watch this six-minute tutorial to learn more about the application process.
• ABC Chesapeake Shores hosted a "How to Craft a Winning EIC Submission" webinar in April 2023. Please note that deadlines and dates mentioned in this recorded webinar were for the 2023 competition; however, the content, tips, and advice apply to the 2024 application and competition. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The $350 application fee is non-refundable or transferable to a future submission. Be sure to review the application criteria and eligibility prior to entering your submission.

IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES

• Saturday, June 1, 2024 – Date by which construction of the submitted project must be completed
• Friday, June 21, 2024 – Phase I: Deadline to register your project (Intent to Compete)
• Friday, July 12, 2024 – Phase II: Deadline to submit the final application and supplemental materials. Applicants will have until 11:59 p.m. ET to finalize all applications.​

JUDGING AND WINNER NOTIFCATIONS
Judging will take place during mid-August and applicants will be notified of their status via email. Please note: judging teams will only perform a site visit in the event they need additional information or if projects are tied in points. Be sure to submit all detailed, relevant information in your submission for a proper score from our team of judges.

CREATING A SUCCESSFUL ENTRY
The scope defines the project. Be sure to include all the items outlined in the application. Use bullets to allow judges to easily learn about your project. Email Amanda Crew to view samples. We highly recommend watching the recorded webinar, "How to Craft a Winning EIC Submission" for best practices. 

The narrative tells the story. Worth almost a third of the total point value, the narrative should be the highlight of the application. This is where applicants can brag about why a project is special. Obstacles that were overcome and explanations of extenuating circumstances should be communicated clearly and succinctly. 

Safety is always a priority. Be sure to include the information requested in this section of the application, but also take the opportunity to describe innovative safety programs that were utilized during the project.

Remember because the judges are not able to visit your project site in person, your photographs are very important to your entry’s success. It is important to include photographs that demonstrate progress (i.e. before and after).

Take advantage of all possible points! Participating in ABC's Safety Management System (STEP) and achieving the Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) credential will also earn two additional points per program. Both programs include an application process so be sure to get an early start.