EXTRAORDINARY BOARD MEETING

Members are advised that the ASAQS President, Mr Gert Meyer, has convened an Extraordinary Board Meeting for this coming week as follows:

• Date : Tuesday 01 March 2011
• Time : Past Presidents â€" 08h30 / Board Meeting 10h00
• Venue : Intercontinental Hotel, OR Tambo Airport

Matters of urgent concern will be addressed and members will subsequently be informed of any pertinent decisions taken at the meeting.

 ENERGY SAVING BUILDING SOLUTIONS

The ASAQS is happy to announce that we have agreed to market and make available to our members the BuildAid publication called "Energy Saving Building Solutions". A really useful publication which in our opinion is a must for any professional QS office as a point of reference. A really worthwhile publication !!

The application of the newly legislated South African National Standards 204 prompted BuildAid to produce a publication providing a concise and informative guide to assist the industry in getting to grips with what it means to embrace energy conscious buildings. With the SANS 204 being integrated into the new SANS 10400 building regulations, BuildAid is presenting the "Energy Saving Building Solutions – A Commentary on SANS 204" publication for the use of all. This publication will hopefully help any professional person in getting to grips with SANS 204 and its application in SANS 10400 XA.

We at the ASAQS have adopted this document as one of the items on the "ASAQS Documents List" that we will support and it is now freely available from the ASAQS office at the price of R310,00 (inclusive of VAT – member price) (Non member price R325,00 – across the counter price). Additional charges are applicable if postage requirements are involved.

 FORUM OF QS PRACTICES

This serves as the Notice and Reminder of the meeting scheduled as follows:

• Date   : Tuesday 22 February 2011
• Time  : 16h00 to 18h00
• Venue : ASAQS Offices, Suite G6, Building 27, Thornhill Office Park, Bekker Road, Midrand.

Attached for your information and records, please find copies of the following:

• Agenda for Meeting No 14
• Minutes of Forum of QS Practices Meeting 12 - Amended
• Minutes of Forum of QS Practices Meeting 13

 INVITATION TO PRESIDENTS TOUR 2011

Members are advised that the programme for the Presidents Tour 2011 has been finalised and all the dates have been agreed and confirmed with the respective Chapter representatives. Whilst it had earlier been resolved by the ASAQS Board that the tour would be undertaken by the President and Executive Director only, we wish to advise that the Vice President has agreed to also be in attendance in certain centres, where possible.

The touring party will thus be comprised of the following persons :

• Mr Gert Meyer (President of ASAQS)
• Mr Pieter Kotze' (Vice President of ASAQS) (selected centres only)
• Mr Egon Wortmann (Executive Director of ASAQS)

The programme for this trip is planned for the months of February/March 2011 so that the tour may be timeously completed before the next ASAQS Board meeting scheduled for 24 March 2011. The final programme of the Presidents Tour 2011 is as follows:

CITY CHAPTER WEEKDAY  DATE 1 POLOKWANE LIMPOPO THURSDAY 17 FEB 2011 2 KIMBERLEY NORTHERN CAPE THURSDAY 03 MARCH 2011 3 BLOEMFONTEIN FREE STATE FRIDAY 04 MARCH 2011 4 DURBAN KWAZULU NATAL WEDNESDAY 09 MARCH 2011 5 PORT ELIZABETH EASTERN CAPE THURSDAY 10 MARCH 2011 6 CAPE TOWN WESTERN CAPE FRIDAY 11 MARCH 2011 7 MIDRAND GAUTENG WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH 2011 8 MAFIKENG NORTH WEST THURSDAY 17 MARCH 2011 9 NELSPRUIT MPUMALANGA FRIDAY 18 MARCH 2011

It was resolved that there will not be a trip to Namibia this year.

This tour will enable the ASAQS members to meet with the ASAQS executive members and to share their experiences, expectations and concerns with each other. We appeal to members to support these functions in the respective regions and to maximise on the benefits that can be derived from such a tour.

The programme of events in each region will be made available to the members in each region in good time before the arrival of the delegation. We look forward to seeing you there !!

To make a printout of the tour schedule, please click here

 GAUTENG UPDATE

Please visit the Gauteng web page for an update of the AGM and CPD event taking place on Wednesday the 16th March 2011. As usual the AGM will form part of a breakfast seminar and booking is essential.

Their Calendar of Events has also been updated - so block out the dates for this year's CPD seminars right away.

 "COMPETITION COMMISSION SA" TURNS UP THE HEAT

Members may already have read about the well publicised increased activities of the Competition Commission SA to combat anti-competitive activities in the construction sector. In a recently press statement issued by the Competition Commission SA, they reported as follows:

The Commission's investigation in the construction industry has uncovered widespread anti-competitive conduct through various arrangements. Major firms in the sector, for example, have held meetings to allocate tenders and police each other's behavior through a structure referred to as "The Third Party".

It is against this background that the Commission has devised a fast-track settlement procedure to incentivise firms to enter a comprehensive settlement that is financially advantageous. It aims to minimise the associated legal costs and speedily resolve cases. Further the process will strengthen evidence against those firms not taking advantage of this initiative".

It is against this background that industry stakeholders were invited to attend a briefing session on Thursday 10 February 2011, where the mechanics of the intentions of the Competition Commission SA were explained to all present. These initiatives of the Commission are applicable to all construction companies and professional firms alike that are involved with bidding for services in the construction sector. 

Firms in the construction sector were invited to respond to this invitation in order to settle their bid-rigging and collusive conduct by making an application to the Commission by no later than 15 April 2011 at 12h00. For any further information issued by the Commission, these may be viewed on their website (www.compcom.co.za).

Herewith some further reading material as follows:

• To view the "Background" document, please click here
• To view the "Media Release" document dated 01 February 2011, please click here
• To view the "Presentation to Stakeholders", please click here
• To view the "Invitation to Firms in the Construction Industry to Engage in Settlement of Contraventions of the Competition Act", please click here.
   

 BUILT ENVIRONMENT EXPORT COUNCIL (BEPCC) UPDATE

Members are referred to the attached report on recent activities and developments of the Built Environment Export Council (BEPCC). The report was prepared by the CEO of BEPCC, Mr Roelof van Tonder.

To view the report, please click here.

 WIND LOADS ON EXTERNAL FENESTRATIONS

Members are advised that due to the publication of SANS 10160-3:2010 (Edition 1) in May 2010, some major changes are now applicable to the method of determining wind loads on external fenestrations (amongst others). In terms of the National Building Regulations the wind loads must henceforth be determined by "Competent Persons (Structures)" based on SANS 10160. Unqualified persons should not under any circumstances determine their own windloads.

Any further inquiries in this regard should be referred to the AAAMSA offices (telephone 011 805 5002 / facsimile 011 805 5033).

 RECOMMENDED STUDENT RATES FOR 2011

Members are advised that the recommended student rates for 2011 (for the Gauteng Chapter only at this stage) have been finalised and are now available for scrutiny by employers and students alike.

To view the explanatory letter to the 2011 recommended rates and the schedules, please click here.

 CORNÉ VAN STADEN – DJ LAING SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNER 2010 !!

We are pleased to announce that the ASAQS has resolved that the ASAQS DJ Laing Scholarship Award 2010 (for the academic year of 2009) be awarded to Ms CORNÉ VAN STADEN. She is based in Gauteng and completed her studies at the University of Pretoria.

This prestigious award is awarded annually on the basis of academic achievement, character, participation in student affairs and financial circumstances, with preference given to, but not restricted to, employees of AECOM Davis Langdon. The criteria by which this award is adjudicated is defined as follows:

DJ Laing Memorial Scholarship:

5.1 Available to accredited universities (excluding technikons)
5.2 For one quantity surveying student nationally. 
5.3 Awarded on the basis of academic achievement, character, participation in student affairs and financial circumstances, with preference given to, but not restricted to, employees of AECOM Davis Langdon. Suggested that scholarship be awarded to students at the end of their first year of study and that it be renewable, subject to satisfactory results.
5.4 Universities to submit nominations together with academic results, CV's, etc, to the Executive Director when requested each year for consideration by the Prizes and Awards Committee and ratification by the family trust.
5.5 If in the opinion of the Prizes and Awards Committee none of the nominees have achieved satisfactory results of a suitably high standard to warrant the award of the scholarship, then the Prizes and Awards Committee will be at liberty to recommend alternative book prizes with a reduced financial award.

Corné studied at the University of Pretoria and completed her studies with a BScQS (Hons) last year. She is currently employed by AECOM Davis Langdon in their Pretoria offices.

The ASAQS will be presenting the award (together with a R10 000,00 cheque) to Corné at the next suitable occasion. 

On behalf of all at the ASAQS, we congratulate Corné on her magnificent achievement. Congratulations and well done !!

 REPEAT OFFER OF SALE OF SHARES

Dear Investor of ASAQS Members investments Limited,

The ASAQS Members Investments Limited wishes to bring to the attention of previous investors and ASAQS members generally the fact that the shares currently held in the company by two investors are still available for purchase. One investor wishes to sell her shares for personal reasons (2467 shares), the another person is deceased and those shares are also available for sale (2055 shares).

These shares are made available on a first come first served basis and the process adopted will be as follows:
•Step 1 – invitation to purchase is extended to the current investors in the company
•Step 2 – if unsuccessful, the invitation will be extended to all remaining paid-up members of the ASAQS.

These shares were earlier already offered for sale, but sadly the negotiations between buyer and seller broke down at the final stage due to financial reasons.

Interested parties are invited to contact the offices of ASAQS Members Investments Limited for further details. It should be pointed out that the sale arrangements between seller and purchaser will need to be concluded in compliance with the 'Over The Counter' (OTC) Share Transfer Facility Rules between those two parties in terms of the price offered per share, the date of transfer, etc.

For a copy of the 'Over The Counter' (OTC) Share Transfer Facility Rules, please (click here). For a copy of the letter from the ASAQS Members Investments Limited to the current investors, please (click here).

The company secretary of the company will thereafter be advised of the outcome of the sale agreement between the parties and the necessary share registration and certificates amended in line with that agreement.

Please be advised that should Step 1 (as defined above) not result in the sale of some or all of the shares, then further action will be taken in line with the Step 2 requirements. The effective date for the start of the Step 2 process will be Friday 04 February 2011.

 CUG AND OTHER UPDATES

With the CUG problems cleared away we could again do some much needed updates.

Please visit the CUG for:

• Four documents (rather old but still useful) on viability studies. These are currently undergoing a revision process and will be replaced as soon as the new documents are ready.
• The revised time charges for QS's for 2011
• The revised and complete Architect's fees for 2011
• A very handy free gift we were hoping to give away over Christmas.

We have also updated the Library Section of the website with the policies of the ASAQS.

 ASAQS ISSUES UPDATED DOCUMENT PRICELIST

Please be advised that the ASAQS has issued an updated "ASAQS Document Pricelist" dated 18 January 2011, which replaces the earlier 01 September 2010 version. The changes are not too dramatic, but we have essentially added two additional items for sale as follows:

• Quantity Surveying Practice in South Africa (Maritz & Sigle' publication) (reference A37)
• BUILD AID – Energy Saving Building Solutions (commentary of SANS 204) (reference A47).

The first item has been well publicised and is already available for purchase from the ASAQS offices. The second document will be available for purchase as from the first week in February 2011. More details will follow in due course in this regard.

To view the "ASAQS Document Pricelist" dated 18 January 2011, please click here.

To order any documents and publications online please click here.

 ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR RICS MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2011?

Members of the ASAQS who are also members of the RICS may be interested to know that they may be eligible for reduced membership fees for 2011 in view of the fact that they hold dual membership. If so, have you applied to the RICS for the concessions on offer ?

If this is applicable to you, please download the attached document by clicking here and submitting your request as indicated. Time is against us, so this needs to be undertaken immediately to qualify.

 IT IS TIME TO GET YOUR CPD MATTERS IN ORDER

For those of you who still need to get your CPD matters in order there is a way to make up the required time before making the necessary submission to the SACQSP. No doubt you will find something on the GoLearning website that will interest you and could assist to make up the 25 hours you need for CPD.

Hopefully you will find something on the GoLearning website that will interest you and could assist to make up the 25 hours you need for CPD 2010.

BIG things are being planned for GoLearning in 2011. This will include numerous new modules on practical issues such as how to find and keep clients, how to market your services and how to cope with business cycles. What's more, they aim to make these modules no longer that an hour in duration so that you can fit them into your lunch hour.

Watch this space! Lunchtime CPD is where they're heading. All you will need to do is to buy a module every month for ten months and do some supplementary reading and by this time next year you will be ready to submit your CPD for the year.

GoLearning will assist to make your CPD commitments for 2011 a simple and enjoyable experience!

 QUANTITY SURVEYING PUBLICATION RELEASED

Having recently been presented with a complimentary copy of the publication entitled "Quantity Surveying Practice in South Africa", which was co-authored by Professors Tinus Maritz and Thys Siglé, we were most impressed with the informative content of the publication and soon realised the value of the publication to students and interested parties of the Quantity Surveying profession.

In the "Foreword and Acknowledgements" section of the publication it states the following:
It is hoped that this book will prove to be useful not only to students who may be considering Quantity Surveying as their career or have already commenced their studies, but also to all interested persons who wish to acquire a deeper understanding of the day-to-day work of a quantity surveyor.
 
This is a publication that is much needed in the education and training of the profession and the ASAQS would strongly recommend that this book be prescribed to all first and second year students at all tertiary institutions that offer Quantity Surveying programmes in South Africa. It is an easy to read publication, it is simply written and easy to understand. The ASAQS will certainly encourage the wider distribution and use of this publication.

This publication is now available for purchase at the ASAQS offices at the following rates (inclusive of VAT, exclusive of postage costs where applicable) :

• R160,00 to members
• R170,00 to non-members

The publication is also available on the Webshop.

Our compliments and congratulations to the co-authors for a fine publication. We wish them every success with the venture.

 ASAQS CENTENARY PUBLICATION

We would point out that the office of the ASAQS still has stock of the "ASAQS Centenary Publication" which is always a welcome addition to any organisation or office in the built environment. Should you still not have purchased your copies of this publication, please feel free to contact the ASAQS office for your copies of this publication. We will post them to you at earliest convenience.

 TIME CHARGE FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR (EXCLUSIVE OF VAT)

The South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP) has adopted and gazetted the following recommended hourly time charge rates for principals with effect from 1 January 2011:

Not exceeding 5 years experience  R   750.00 6 to 10 years experience R 1 400.00 above 10 years R 1 900.00 Specialist work (minimum 10 years experience) R 2 380.00

These rates may thus be used with immediate effect.

 RECOMMENDED TARIFF OF PROFESSIONAL FEES (2010)

The ASAQS Fees Committee has reported that it was recommended that the Recommended Tariff of Professional Fees (2010) does not require any changes to be made and that it should remain unaltered for the year 2011.

In the past the process was that in the event that no changes were necessary, the earlier tariff would simply remain in place without the need to re-gazette same simply with a new date on it. This was the process that was again adopted for this year and the Recommended Tariff of Professional Fees (2010) will thus remain applicable and in full force during the year of 2011.

 MEMBERS AND PRACTICES TO BE STRUCK DUE TO NON-PAYMENT

In keeping with the requirement that the ASAQS members and practices should pay their subscription fees on time, the Board of the ASAQS has resolved that any member or practice that has not paid the stated outstanding fees for the year in question will be struck from the Association membership roll and will have such membership terminated.

Should you believe that you have already paid some or all of the outstanding fees, we would appeal that you to please contact the offices of the ASAQS at earliest convenience so that any possible misunderstanding may be amicably resolved. Should you have any further queries regarding your outstanding fees, please feel free to contact Ms Merilda Naicker (telephone 011 - 315 4140) at the ASAQS offices.

Should payment not have been received, or should no special further arrangement have been made to have these outstanding fees paid (either in part or in whole), such members and practices will be struck from the Association membership roll over the next few days.

In the event that the member or practice has been struck and should you wish to be reinstated at any time in the future, the following mandatory payments will have to be made in full before reinstatement will be considered :
• Subscription fee for the year 2010/2011
• Penalty fee of R500,00 (net).

We would also point out that no "Letters of Good Standing" will be issued to anyone on request unless all the above amounts have been paid in full.

If you are still outstanding fees to the ASAQS, you are encouraged to please settle the outstanding amount indicated above without delay to avoid any of these unpleasant actions becoming necessary. Your co-operation would be appreciated.

 SACQSP ANNOUNCES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AUTHORS AND ASSESSORS

The Council wishes to engage the services of:

1. Authors of SACQSP Professional Skills Modules and
2. Assessors to evaluate the quality of the SACQSP Professional Skills Modules submitted by authors

Authors and assessors should be Registered Professional Quantity Surveyors in good standing, who have proven, relevant professional / practical experience, in-depth understanding of practice in the Built Environment and the construction industry and sound knowledge of teaching / training / mentoring / learning processes

Click here to download the RFQ

 PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES...

FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS BASED ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (CIDB) REGULATIONS

The Standard for Uniformity in Construction Procurement was first published in terms of the CIDB Act, 2000 (Act No 38 of 2000) in June 2004 with further amendments, the latest amendment being May 2010.

Members can download the guidelines and documentation from the CUG.

 MERGER OF BEPMEDS WITH TOPMED

After much publicity surrounding the possible merger between the BEPMEDS and TOPMED medical schemes, it has now formally been confirmed by all parties concerned that this merger is confirmed and has taken effect from 1 January 2011. This marks the end of an era for BEPMEDS and heralds in the promise of new beginnings with TOPMED.

The attached letter dated 7th December 2010 (click here) sets out all the details and requirements with regard to the merger. All BEPMEDS members should please pay particular attention to whatever action they personally need to take to smooth over the transition.

Should members require any further details of the TOPMED medical scheme and the service and options that they offer, we would suggest that you contact the TOPMED Call Centre directly with any requests that you may have. We believe that would be the best for you to get the correct information you seek. The TOPMED agents are well trained and equipped to handle any queries. 

The relevant contact details of TOPMED are as follows:
 
• Call Centre:  0860 00 21 58
• Fax Number: 031 580 0480
• E-mail:      info@topmedms.co.za
• Website :    www.topmed.co.za

All the scheme options and benefits are clearly displayed on the TOPMED website. To view the "TOPMED Option Form", please click here.

To view the final letter of approval issued by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) to formally confirm the completion of the merger, please click here.

 THE JBCC HAS MOVED OFFICES

The JBCC has announced that they moved offices on Monday 29th November 2010.

Their new physical address is as follows:
• Cedar House
• 26 Cedar Avenue
• Richmond
• Johannesburg
• 2092

Their postal address remains unchanged :
• P O Box 3137
• Houghton
• 2041

Their new telephone numbers are now confirmed as follows:
• Telephone (Landline) : (011) 482 3102 or 086 100 5222
• Facsimile : (011) 482 4299
• Facsimile to E-mail : 086 542 JBCC (5222)

The E-mail address remains unchanged as follows:
• jbcc@mweb.co.za

 MISSED THE NEWS?

We have archived all news stories from 2008 and 2009 in the News Section. You can also glance back at more recent news by following the links at the bottom of this page.

 WHERE TO PURCHASE YOUR CONTRACT DOCUMENTS ?

Following on numerous enquiries from members as to where they can purchase the various and different forms of contract, we have prepared the following easy-to-read schedule that will assist in this regard.

CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FROM CONTACT DETAILS JBCC CONTRACTS ASAQS 011 315 4140 PROCSA CLIENT/CONSULTANT AGREEMENTS (entire suite of documents) ASAQS 011 315 4140 NEC (New Engineering Contract) SAICE 011 805 5947/8 FIDIC CESA 011 463 2022 GCC (General Conditions of Contract - Civil) SAICE 011 805 5947/8

This schedule can also be downloaded in PDF-format by clicking here.

 ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORTHCOMING CONGRESSES

In order to assist members to plan their diaries this year in terms of forthcoming congresses and conferences they may wish to attend, attached the preliminary dates of some of these congresses for your attention (more details to follow):

PAQS Congress 2011
• July 2011
• Colombo, Sri Lanka

ICEC World Congress 2012
23 to 26 June 2012 – Durban, South Africa

PAQS Congress 2012
• July 2012
• Brunei

Members are encouraged to plan ahead and to support these conferences/congresses !!

 JOIN ASAQS

Click here to find out more about becoming a member of ASAQS and gaining entry to our Closed Users Group.
Membership forms, fees, etc.

 CHAPTER CHAIRPERSONS

ASAQS have chapters in all the provinces in South Africa - if you need to contact our chapters download their contact details by clicking here.

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 USEFUL TOOLS

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Then visit http://www.guapdf.com

 CONTACT ASAQS

The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors
Postal address:
P.O. Box 3527
Halfway House 1685
Physical address:
Suite G6, Building 27
Thornhill Office Park
Bekker Road,
Vorna Valley Ext 21,
MIDRAND
Contact details:
Telephone : 011-3154140
Fax     : 011-3153785
E-mail    : association@asaqs.co.za
Office hours:
08h00 to 17h00

Click here to view a map to our offices

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