“ACPA producers and staff were instrumental in persuading Conference Committee members-some representing states or districts with concrete pipe plants-that the amendment was ill conceived,” says Gossett.
Through FAST, Gossett notes, plastic pipe interests attempted to weaken or eliminate the 2012 language giving states the authority to select culvert pipe materials for federally funded projects a revised amendment they advanced would have required the DOT to “study” state culvert pipe procurement. Department of Transportation Secretary to ensure that states have the autonomy to determine without federal interference the type of culvert material to be used within their borders. MAP-21 Section 1525, State Autonomy for Culvert Pipe Selection, directs the U.S. Lawmakers and the FHWA recognized that states are most qualified to determine what constitutes safe, sustainable drainage infrastructure.” Through MAP-21 provisions, Congress unanimously restored states’ ability to select their preferred drainage structure type, based on prevailing conditions and engineers’ opinion. ACPA and allies sought to educate elected officials. “A SAFETEA-LU provision caused unforeseen specification problems for concrete pipe producers and potential engineering challenges for their customers. “Federal highway program reauthorization often includes changes in policy or regulations not working as intended,” Gossett explains. Federal Highway Administration guidance on that policy-as written into the 2005 SAFETEA-LU bill-left some state departments of transportation the impression that pipe and culvert selection was to be based on purchase price alone.Īhead of rallying to sustain common sense procurement in the FAST Act, ACPA apprised agencies of MAP-21 provisions guaranteeing their drainage structure specification authority. While offering moderately inflation-adjusted funding mechanisms for a key concrete pipe market, FAST entered its final stage with an amendment resurrecting onerous procurement policy that MAP-21 had reversed. An urgent matter arose the first week of December as Congress expedited passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST), a five-year (2016-2020) successor to the MAP-21 federal highway program, which passed in 2012. We had more attendees than in 2015 more people returning to association activities and interested in technical and industry education and, more producers purchasing equipment-aiming to meet higher market demand by bringing plants up to speed after years of putting capital improvements on hold.” FAST ACTIONĪssociation leadership and staff were prepared to close 2015 finalizing the program for the 2016 Pipe School/Pipe Show, the first staging of the annual school with an ACPA-managed, pipe-specific trade exhibit. Participation in2016 ACPA Pipe School (January 4-8) set a positive tone for the year. “Members report steady growth and feel like the near term will bring stability and additional improvement in the economy. Topping them are programs or dividends emanating from 2015 Education, Government Affairs and Marketing Committee agendas: Inaugural ACPA Pipe School/Pipe Show federal codification of common sense drainage system engineering and, Concrete Pipe Week launch. In addition to year-over-year market improvement, members are seeing deliverables from across the ACPA national and regional spectrum. He picked a good year to carry the flag for independent and major concrete pipe interests. A chance to represent our segment of the concrete pipe industry, independent producers, was instrumental in accepting the appointment.” When considered for the ACPA officer slate, and ultimately chairman, I was asked if I would have time to spend in the position and do it right. “People know I am a hands on guy, not one to sit behind a desk,” says the third generation head of Gossett Concrete Pipe Co., Inc.
“Bo” Gossett, III on track to become 2016 chairman, where he sees an opportunity to advance an industry of which his family has been a part for 70-plus years-and speak on behalf of what remains a critical membership component. A visit with 2016 American Concrete Pipe Association Chairman Bo Gossett IIIĪppointment to the American Concrete Pipe Association Executive Committee three years ago put A.C.
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