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Issue No. 33 • Wednesday, August 19, 2026 • www.mbex.org

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Heads up, MBEXers:
Contracts for the 2027 Membership Directory & Buyers Guide will be sent later this week to each member company, specifically to the company's indicated Buyers Guide contact.
This is your opportunity to add or update Classified Listings and Trade Names for next year's publication and new online membership directory, and make sure you're showing up under the right work divisions. Previous listings will be indicated on your contract, but if you want to review them ahead of time, visit the online Membership Directory on our website.
Not sure who we have on record as your Buyers Guide contact? Email me.
Have questions about Classifieds, Trade Names, or other contract-related inquiries? Julie's your girl. Contact her at (612) 381-2627 or juliem@mbex.org.
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Five Quick Things To Know & Do This Week:
1.) Plan Room Demo - Our monthly Online Plan Room Demo is this Thursday, August 20 at 9:00am. Led by an MBEX staff member over Zoom, attendees will learn the basics of our digital platform, including navigating the Deskpad, key tips for setting up search filters, self-adding to bidders lists, and more.
2.) Seeking Event Space - Want to host the next Meet the Estimators event in early 2027? Together with our event partners, we are seeking a large space for approximately 350-400 attendees, including ~25 exhibitors, and parking (if available), for the tentative date of February 3. Contact Melanie with questions or if you're open to hosting this great networking event: (612) 381-2628 | melanie@mbex.org
3.) Member News - Mortenson, along with Clark Construction Group (Virginia) and Smoot Construction (Washington D.C.), have been selected for the $3.8-billion, 18-million-square-foot, 70,000-seat domed Washington Commanders stadium. Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2027.
4.) Top Building Products - From SuperLite II-XL fire-resistive glass and high-performance vacuum insulating windows to modular data center aisle containment and recycled PET acoustic wall panels, here are the top 15 building products from July 2026.
5.) Two-Minute Video Break - Might be a good idea to listen in and learn what's actually playing on those earbuds these kids are always wearing on the jobsite...😉 🤷 😂
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Inside Issue No. 33:
• New Date: Lake Superior Harbor Cruise rescheduled for August 27
• SBA Changes: Significant changes to 8(a) Business Development Program
• Scholarship Recipients: Meet the 15 recipients of the 2026-2027 MBEX Construction Scholarship
• PPE Standards: Five things contractors can do today concerning PPE compliance to the latest and greatest standards
• Upcoming Events: Bluebeam Revu professional development courses (8/25-8/27); Project Build's Construction Talent Acquisition Conference (9/2); Sporting Clays North (9/9); and the annual Fall Social (10/8) now open for registration
• Project Download: Updated project information for the week of August 12-18
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NEW DATE: Lake Superior Harbor Cruise
Rescheduled for Thursday, August 27 with CSI-Twin Ports
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Exciting news: we've rescheduled our Lake Superior Harbor Cruise!
Previously canceled due to wildfire smoke and poor air quality, MBEX members are invited back aboard fellow member Jeff Foster's sailing vessel in Duluth, now being hosted in partnership with the CSI-Twin Ports Chapter, bringing together two great networks for an evening on the water.
Dinner is included, and the views are always worth the drive.
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Date: Thursday, August 27
Time: Boarding begins at 5:00pm | Depart at 5:45pm sharp | Return to dock no later than 9:00pm
Location: Parking and Boarding - Pier B Resort (800 West Railroad Street, Duluth, Minn., 55802)
Cost: Free for members
Sponsor: Help support the event by making a 'Member of the Exchange' donation during registration
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A few things to note for this revamped event:
- This event is now BYOB (bring your own beverages), so plan accordingly.
- Bring a bag chair and a jacket or sweatshirt; Lake Superior has a way of reminding you it's still Lake Superior, even in August.
- Please wear comfortable, closed-toe footwear.
Because we're co-hosting this event with CSI-Twin Ports, our attendance is capped at 75 people.
CSI-Twin Ports Summer Expo
Also on August 27 at Pier B Resort, CSI-Twin Ports is hosting their Summer Expo from 3:00pm-5:00pm, right before the cruise. Inside the exhibit hall, this free trade show features a variety of construction industry vendors, a cash bar, light food, prizes, and live music.
Why not make the most of your experience and meet fellow attendees before setting sail later in the evening?
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SBA Changes Social Disadvantage Standard for 8(a) Program
What MBEX Members need to know
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If you hold an 8(a) certification, work with 8(a) subcontractors, or have been considering applying to the program, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made some significant changes that MBEX members need to be aware of and understand.
The short version: the way individually owned firms prove social disadvantage for 8(a) eligibility has been fundamentally rewritten, and the new standard takes effect September 10, 2026.
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A Little Background on the Matter
The 8(a) Business Development Program has long offered small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a pathway to federal contracting opportunities.
For decades, members of certain designated racial and ethnic groups were presumed to be socially disadvantaged, giving them a "shortcut" into the program where qualifying applicants didn't have to individually prove they'd faced discrimination.
That presumption has been on shaky legal ground since a 2023 federal court ruling, and the SBA has not relied on it in processing applications since that decision. What's new is that the SBA has now formally replaced it with a new framework.
What the Final Rule Actually Does
On August 11, 2026, the SBA published a final rule revising how individually owned firms establish social disadvantage for eligibility in the 8(a) Business Development Program, removing the prior rebuttable presumption and replacing it with a new evidence-based standard.
Under the new two-part test, an applicant must now:
(1.) Provide evidence that a government or private entity discriminated against, was biased against, or disfavored an identifiable racial, ethnic, or cultural group to which the applicant belongs (or favored a group that the applicant didn't belong to); and
(2.) Self-certify group membership and demonstrate that the discrimination caused them material harm.
The proof now runs through the policy, not the applicant's personal story. In practical terms, that means pointing to a specific discriminatory policy or practice rather than submitting a personal narrative describing individual experiences.
For some applicants, SBA's own former regulations may supply the evidence needed. For others, it will require locating documentation of a qualifying policy from another source.
Whom This Does & Does Not Affect
The rule applies only to small businesses owned and controlled by individuals, not to entity-owned firms, including firms owned by tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, or Community Development Corporations.
If your 8(a) eligibility flows through an entity ownership structure, this ruling doesn't change your situation.
For individually owned firms with applications already pending, the timing matters: the rule takes effect September 10, 2026. By its own terms, this rule applies to all pending applications of individually owned applicants as of that date, meaning a firm with an application in the queue will be measured against a test that didn't exist when it applied.
What MBEX Members Should Do
If you currently hold 8(a) certification as an individually owned firm, review your eligibility under the new standard and make sure your documentation reflects what's now required.
If you've been considering applying, understand that the process looks meaningfully different than it did six months ago.
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The 8(a) landscape has been shifting steadily throughout 2025 and 2026, between the reevaluation process, the DEI-related contract compliance changes, and now this final rule, the federal small business program environment is more complicated than it's been in years.
Staying current on these changes and talking to qualified legal counsel about how they affect your specific situation is the best step forward right now.
| |   | If you're interested in learning more about programs designed to assist disadvantaged small businesses in contracting opportunities, visit the MnDOT Office of Civil Rights or check out APEX Accelerator for additional resources. | |   |
Meet our 2026/2027 MBEX Construction Scholarship Recipients
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This is one of our favorite announcements of the year: we are thrilled to introduce the 2026-2027 MBEX Construction Scholarship recipients!
These 15 outstanding students represent bright and incredibly passionate talent emerging throughout the construction industry, and we couldn't be prouder to support them on their educational journeys.
This year's awards ranged from $1,000 to $2,500, and it would not have been possible without the support of our scholarship partner, The Builders Group Education Foundation.
Know, too, that every event attended, every sponsorship made, and every donation given by MBEX members also helps in putting scholarship dollars directly into these students' hands.
Our industry is only as strong as the people coming into it, and if this year's recipients are any indication, the future of Midwest construction is in very good hands. We're excited to watch these future constructors and project managers grow, thrive, and someday take their place alongside the incredible professionals who make up our vast network.
Scroll down to meet this year's recipients. You'll have opportunities to meet and speak with them at upcoming MBEX events throughout the year, and when you do cross paths, we hope you'll join us in giving them the warmest of welcomes.
Meet our 2026-2027 scholarship recipients:
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Broderick Kaufenberg
Awarded $1,500
Studying Heavy
Equipment Operations
@ Lake Area Technical College
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Cole Nawrocki
Awarded $1,500
Studying Powerline Technology @ Minnesota West Community &
Technical College
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Cooper Coykendall
Awarded $1,000
Studying Construction Management @
University of Minnesota
- Twin Cities
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Elijah Berhow
Awarded $2,000
Studying Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance
@ Central Lakes College
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Gabrielle White
Awarded $1,750
Studying Construction Management @
Dunwoody College
of Technology
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Jacob Stanton
Awarded $1,000
Studying Architectural
Technologies @
Western Technical College
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James Baird
Awarded $2,000
Studying Construction Management @ Dunwoody College of Technology
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Jamie Edlin
Awarded $2,000
Studying Building Trades Technology @ Lake Area Technical College
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Jayden Mosley
Awarded $1,000
Studying Construction Management @ University
of Wisconsin - Platteville
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Jim Pfeffer
Awarded $2,000
Studying HVAC/R
@ Hennepin
Technical College
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Junuh Coleman
Awarded $1,000
Studying Construction Management @ Dunwoody College of Technology
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Markus Midgarden
Awarded $1,500
Studying Electrical Construction &
Maintenance @ Northwest
Technical College
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Mason Oswald
Awarded $1,500
Studying Welding @ Bismarck State College
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Noah Donohoe
Awarded $1,750
Studying Construction Management & Business Administration
@ Minnesota State University - Mankato
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Sarah Dickhudt
Awarded $2,500
Studying Electrical
@ South Central MN Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training
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Does Your PPE Meet the Latest 'Compliance' Standards?
Five things contractors can do today
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PPE performance standards are updated over time, about every five years. Standards change because of equipment innovation, testing improvements, and advancements in understanding how injuries happen and how to prevent them.
But OSHA doesn't always update its regulations right away. So two different things are true at the same time: a product may meet an older standard still referenced in OSHA regulations, and another product may meet a newer standard that better reflects current testing and jobsite conditions.
Both may be "compliant," but they may not offer the same level of information, testing, or protection.
This is why contractors should ask one more question: does my PPE conform to the latest standard?
You don't have to wait for OSHA to update anything. Here are five simple steps every contractor can take now:
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Ask for the Standard & the Version

Don't settle for "ANSI compliant." Ask:
- Which ANSI standard?
- Which version?
- Where is that shown on the product or paperwork?
That one extra question can prevent a lot of confusion.
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Be Specific in Purchase Orders, Specs & Rules

If you want PPE that conforms to a certain standard, say so clearly. Instead of writing "ANSI-compliant safety glasses" in an order or SOP, include the specific standard and version.
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Match the PPE to the Task
Don't assume one piece of PPE fits every job. Look at the actual task. Then look at the hazard. Then check whether the product is rated for that hazard.
That's especially important when crews move between tasks like cutting, grinding, drilling, pouring, demo, and cleanup.
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Get Everyone on the Same Page Early
If a project requires PPE that conforms to a newer standard, make that clear before crews show up. Don't wait until mobilization to find out that the owner, general contractor, subcontractor, and supplier all had different ideas of what "compliance" meant.
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Teach Crews What the Markings Mean
PPE markings shouldn't be a mystery. A short toolbox talk can help workers understand what to look for with head protection, safety glasses, and other gear.
The goal is simple: workers should know whether the PPE in their hands matches the hazard in front of them. The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) offers many education resources at www.safetyequipment.org.
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"Compliant" isn't always specific enough. Contractors should know which standard applies, which version is being used, and whether the PPE matches the actual work being done.
That doesn't have to be complicated. It starts with asking better questions.
That's how contractors can cut through the confusion and make better PPE decisions in the field.
| |   | The ISEA and other national safety organizations have asked OSHA to update its references to reflect current PPE standards, which will help contractors, suppliers, owners, and crews get on the same page when writing specs, ordering PPE, reviewing bids, or checking equipment before work starts. | |   | |
A valuable benefit of an MBEX membership is invitations to our social and educational events; by being an employee of a member company, you, too, can take advantage and attend all MBEX-sponsored events.
** indicates a newly added or updated event
August 20 - Online Plan Room Demo - Register by 2:30pm on August 19
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders list, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Register
August 25 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
This session teaches attendees how to navigate menus, toolbars, panels, shortcuts, and key settings. Attendees will also get hands-on with markup and measurement tools, plus insider tips that boost speed, accuracy, and proficiency. Sign Up
August 26 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
This session introduces standard measurement tools and markup customization options to help convert highlighters into powerful takeoff tools. With emphasis on the Markups List and workflow tips, this session helps estimators improve speed and accuracy from day one. Sign Up
August 27 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
Learn to create custom columns, embed formulas, organize information, and export or live-link Excel templates. Sign Up
September 2 - Construction Talent Acquisition Conference
This conference, presented by Project Build Minnesota, brings together recruiters, HR professionals, and talent acquisition leaders from across the building and construction industry for a day of learning, networking, and practical retention and recruitment solutions. Learn More
September 7 - Labor Day - MBEX Closed
MBEX will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We will return to regular business hours on Tuesday, September 8.
September 9 - Sporting Clays North
Join in the clay-breaking action in Duluth at Old Vermilion Trail. This year's event is different than in the past, with this year's clay shoot being a 100-round shoot with 50 rounds each on two different courses. Attendees will take on Round 1, reconvene for a BBQ lunch, then head back out for Round 2. Register
** October 8 - Fall Social
Meet new industry partners, reconnect with familiar faces, and strengthen relationships throughout the construction and MBEX community. Add in delicious food and drink, a short program to hear MBEX updates, opportunities to meet a few 2026-2027 MBEX Construction Scholarship recipients, and plenty of door prizes, and it's going to be one heck of an outing. Early bird member pricing available through September 25. Register
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 8/10/2026 - 8/14/2026: 95
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 8/10/2026 - 8/14/2026: 6
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 8/18/2026: 333
• Total 2026 Projects posted to the Online Plan Room as of 8/18/2026: 4,101
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 8/12/2026 - 8/18/2026.
For information about the Bulletin's content, technical issues, or to place an ad (such as a Minority
Notice, Job Posting, or Event Notice), contact Ashlee, Membership & Communications Director.
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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS 
• August 20 - Online Plan Room Demo
• August 25 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• August 26 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
• August 27 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• September 2 - Construction Talent Acquisition Conference
• September 7 - Closed for Labor Day
• September 9 - Sporting Clays North
• September 17 - Online Plan Room Demo
• October 8 - Fall Social
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Information within the MBEX Weekly Bulletin is obtained from sources deemed reliable. The Midwest Builders Exchange (MBEX) does not assume responsibility for its completeness or accuracy. You are urged to check your own sources in addition to the information contained in this publication. This issue contains plans and other bidding information received before and including the date noted above. The project data within this newsletter is intended for member companies' and their employees' use only.
2026 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Vice President - Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Treasurer - Allie Brady, Veit USA; Past President - Heidi Sedlacek, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
2026 DIRECTORS: Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; Ben Bowman, Adolfson & Peterson Construction; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Matt Lennartson, RJM Construction; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; Harry Rothstein, Weidner's Mechanical Contractors; Jim Rothstein, Erickson Electric; and Alanna Soukkala, Holden Insurance Agency.
MBEX STAFF: David Siegel - Executive Director; Julie Miller - Executive Assistant / Project Coordinator / Accounting; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Director; Melanie Hendrickson - Events & Membership Coordinator; Jeff Boelter - Project Acquisition & Plan Room Support; Shauna Baska - Project Reporter & Bidders Lists; Ka Yang - Addenda & Apparent Lows; Peggy Esboldt, Madison Gentil & Michelle Siegel - Project Reporters; Don O'Connor - Independent Event Planning Contractor
You are receiving this email because you are employed by a current member company in good standing or have indicated you wanted to receive MBEX's Weekly Bulletin. Unsubscribe from the Weekly Bulletin
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