Week of August 18, 2025

The $3.3M Cost of Ambiguity: Why AEC Firms Must Clarify Insurance Terms

• Kaufman Lynn Construction’s claim for $3.3 million in storm damage was denied because Liberty Surplus Insurance interpreted the project as incomplete under its policy’s course of construction exclusion (COCE), despite some buildings having certificates of occupancy.

• The case hinged on conflicting definitions of “project” and “completion,” with the court siding with Liberty’s broader interpretation that included all campus structures, not just the occupied ones.

• Associated General Contractors (AGC) and the National Association of Homebuilders filed a brief supporting Kaufman Lynn, arguing that insurers should not exclude coverage for substantially complete and occupied phases, and warning of misleading policy language.

• This case underscores the critical need for contractors to negotiate clear definitions of “project” and “completion” in CCIP policies during underwriting, which serves as a stark reminder for firms to proactively manage insurance language and risk exposure.

$260M Military Construction Contracts Awarded by DOD, Running Beyond 2030

• Six firms were awarded a multi-year IDIQ contract covering maintenance, repair, and minor construction across four Air Force bases in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.

• Dunn Construction received a major $88M contract modification for the Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel, bringing the total project value to $335M.

• Techni-Con Inc. secured an $8M contract to repair underground power systems at Andersen AFB, emphasizing the strategic importance of resilient utility infrastructure in remote and high-risk locations—an area of growing relevance for AEC firms focused on energy and defense.

• ACM Elite was awarded a $10M contract for B-52 aircraft components, replacing a previously announced award to another firm, after competitively bidding against another proposal.

  
  

August 13, 2025 

MacKay Sposito, a Washington-based multidisciplinary consulting firm, backed by SkyKnight Capital, has acquired Engineering Analytics (EA), a Colorado-based civil and environmental engineering firm with expertise in industrial and aerospace site remediation, mining, water resources, municipal infrastructure and development, and power and energy. The acquisition will bring new technical services to MacKay Sposito and strengthen its ability to serve more clients across the Western United States. “This acquisition marks a major milestone in our journey,” remarked Derrick Smith, President and CEO of MacKay Sposito. “EA’s values, technical excellence and culture of service align beautifully with ours. Together, we’re building a stronger firm that delivers even greater value to clients and creates exciting new opportunities for our employees.”

August 19, 2025  

The Vertex Companies (VERTEX), a Massachusetts-based global professional services firm, backed by Wind Point Partners, has completed the acqui-hire of ARCHforensic, a New Jersey-based full-service forensic architecture and engineering firm. The move strengthens VERTEX’s forensics expertise with ARCHforensic’s history of 2,000 expert reports, amounting to more than $2B in claims. “Christopher [D. Ling] and his team will provide immense value to our clients by expanding our Forensics and Litigation practices, enhancing the core capabilities we provide our clients across a wide range of areas,” noted David Tortorello, CEO of VERTEX. “Clients across VERTEX’s footprint will benefit from Christopher’s decades of experience delivering objective and dependable forensic analysis.”

August 19, 2025 

Mace Consult, a UK-based program and project management, commercial management, and advisory services firm, formerly the consulting arm of Mace Group and now backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, has acquired Turton Bond, a New York-based independent cost consultant and project management company. The acquisition will expand Mace Consult’s footprint in the Americas and strengthen service capacity for the firm. Davendra Dabasia, Mace Consult’s CEO, noted, "Our expansion in the US has been gathering pace over the last two years, with major appointments by global clients and on some of the largest infrastructure projects in North America. Our new partnership with the team at Turton Bond will see us work together to target growth in the technology sector in the US, building on their success to date with some of the world’s largest tech firms."

August 20, 2025 

HR Green, an Iowa-based civil engineering firm, backed by CIVC Partners, has acquired Gauge Engineering (Gauge), a Texas-based engineering firm that specializes in transportation and drainage engineering analysis, design, and construction management services. The acquisition will bolster HR Green’s transportation and water resource services and build its presence in Houston. Derek St. John, Principal and Founding Partner of Gauge Engineering, said, “This strategic partnership signifies greater access to services and experience across our now nationwide footprint while giving our employees additional opportunities for challenging projects and career advancement.”

August 20, 2025 

DLR Group, a Nebraska-based global integrated design firm, has been joined by Collins Cooper Carusi Architects (CCCA), a Georgia-based community focused design firm with expertise in early learning and K-12 education, higher education, on-campus student housing, and recreation centers. The move fortifies DLR Group’s footprint in the Southeast, alongside its offices in Charlotte, Durham, Nashville, and Orlando. “Collins Cooper Carusi’s passion for thoughtful, responsive design and its strong connections in education and civic work in the region make it an ideal cultural and strategic fit,” said Steven McKay, Managing Principal and CEO of DLR Group. “CCCA immediately strengthens our expertise in on-campus student housing and our entire higher education portfolio.”

August 21, 2025 

Blackstone, a New York-based private equity fund, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Shermco, a Texas-based provider of full life-cycle electrical equipment services. The agreement is in line with the hopes of Blackstone’s energy-focused private equity business, Blackstone Energy Transition Partners, to enable leading energy companies to build enterprises at scale to globally provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy. JP Munfa and Michael Staub, Senior Managing Directors at Blackstone, highlighted, “Shermco’s maintenance, testing, and commissioning services are vital to maintaining the reliability and safety of mission-critical electrical infrastructure.”

Employees at Woodard & Curran used their volunteer time off to help transform 714 square feet of sidewalk into pollinator-friendly gardens along the Slow Sanchez Greenway, in partnership with Friends of the Urban Forest. Friends of the Urban Forest is a San Francisco–based nonprofit dedicated to mitigating global environmental challenges, engaging the community, connecting people with nature, and revitalizing the city’s urban forest. These newly planted gardens help divert stormwater runoff, support a cleaner San Francisco, and add beauty to the neighborhood.

The EFCG Weekly Briefing summarizes the week’s key news in the AEC industry, including M&A updates, and micro- and macro-trends, aggregated from industry-focused and global news sources. 

To send any additional press releases or news from your firm that you would like us to share please email Clay Han at chan@efcg.com.