Build Nebraska Awards
Submission Guidelines and Tips
The Nebraska Building Chapter wants your firm to put your best project to the test. Below, we have some tips that may help you create your Build Nebraska Award submission. Build Nebraska Award entries are judged by the nine criteria listed in previous sections and the completeness of the entry form. Please ensure you answer ALL nine sections.
The judging criteria mirror AGC of America’s Build America Awards. The highest score a project can receive is 100 points. Please see below for details.
1. Project Description: Begin the written part of your entry with one page summarizing why the project should receive a Build Nebraska Award and the key points that make your project truly unique. (10 possible points—BNA Judges place particular emphasis on this section)
2. Narrative: Submit several paragraphs that succinctly describe how your project meets each of the following criteria. Use the criteria as a heading for each section of your narrative. Tell a story. From the initial concept to the final ribbon cutting, each step is a chapter in a narrative of innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Meeting the challenge of a difficult job: Identify the unique and difficult challenges this project posed and the steps your firm took to overcome those challenges. (10 possible points)
- Excellence in the project management: Explain the steps your firm took to successfully manage the project to ensure an on-time and on-budget delivery. Include using innovating approaches and project management techniques to better manage the complex construction process. (5 possible points)
- Contractor’s state-of-the-art advancement: Explain the steps your firm took to incorporate construction practices with this project. Include use of innovative construction techniques, materials and /or technologies. Explain why you decided to use those innovative practices and how their use helped with the ultimate success of the project. (5 possible points)
- Contractor’s sensitivity to environment and surroundings: Explain the steps the team took to protect the nearby natural and built environments during the construction of the project. (5 possible points)
- Excellence in client service: What steps did the project team take to provide the highest possible level of client service, including setting and meeting expectations, helping make the construction process as easy as possible for the project owners and all other groups with a stake in the project's success. (Specialty Contractors: Excellence in service to prime contractor: How did you meet or exceed the prime contractor’s expectations?) (10 possible points)
- Contractor’s contribution to the community: What steps did the project team take to improve the local community during the construction process? Did the team make additional enhancements to the nearby community as part of the project? Did the team take steps to recruit and train local workers, partner with local school groups, and/or participate in any philanthropy projects related to the project? List any steps the project team took to contribute to the community during the construction of the project. (5 possible points)
3. Complete all the information requested on the Entry Form. Be certain that the completion date for your project is in the appropriate year. For example, projects submitted for 2025 Build Nebraska Awards must have been completed in 2023, 2024, or 2025.
4. All entries must be delivered by the September 30, 2025 deadline. All entries must be submitted in an electronic format on a flash drive. All information should be complied and saved in a .pdf format. Each flash drive should be labeled with the company name and entry category. Submissions should be delivered or mailed to:
Nebraska Building Chapter AGC
301 South 13th Street Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68508
5. Your submission MUST include a separate file of your photos—a minimum of six and a maximum of 14 color pictures in .jpg format 300 dpi. These pictures will be featured in a multi-media presentation during the awards dinner. Photos should highlight the construction process, as well as the finished project. Photos can freeze a moment in time that showcases the design, craftsmanship, innovation, and impact of the project. Photos of special techniques or unique conditions that make the project outstanding are most helpful.
6. Other items that may be included with the entry: press clippings about the project, letter of commendation, programs from special events related to the project (ground breakings, ribbon cuttings, etc.), short videos of the project, or other related material.
7. The judges look for complete information as outlined above in this material. They will also be looking at your presentation of the information.
8. Make sure that your entry meets the general requirements outlined on Categories and Rules page.
9. Make sure the Nebraska Building Chapter receives your entry by the September 30, 2025 deadline.
