02/20/2026

ECA Student Committee Update -

Student Chapter session (2/19/26) / ECIC Activity

ECA Student Committee Update 
ECIC / Student Chapter session
Thursday, February 19, 2026

As you are aware, the NECA - IIT Student Chapter is participating in the 2026 Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC) sponsored by NECA and ELECTRI International.  The challenge has begun in earnest.  The students received the project parameters / draft plans.  Also, the students will have guest presenters throughout this semester to aid them in familiarizing themselves with various aspects of the electrical construction industry. The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) / the Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA wishes to thank the ECA Student Committee for their oversight concerning the NECA-IIT Student Chapter.  The Committee is instrumental in coordinating potential speakers, topics, among other areas that will help the students with the Challenge.

The presenters include:

Tim Moylan, Gurtz Electric Co.

Jack Smith, Kelso-Burnett Co.

Matt Kelly, Gibson Electric An Emcor Company

James Brancato, Maron Electric Compan

Mike Meyer– Continental Electrical Construction Company

John Lumleym Aldridge Electric, Inc.

The students would like to thank Tim Moylan, Design & Engineering Development Director, Gurtz Electric Co. and Matt Kamber, Project Manager, Gurtz Electric Co. for their special presentations on Thursday, February 19, 2026 during the Student Chapter session.  Mr. Moylan spoke on BIM and Mr. Kamber discussed Project Management, among other areas.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC) provides university students and faculty advisors with an engaging, real-world annual competition that fosters meaningful interaction between students, local NECA chapters, and NECA member companies. For 2026, student teams will integrate the best lessons from the past four ECIC competitions into a full project life-cycle challenge: bidding and estimating (2022), project management execution (2023), BIM coordination (2024), and design-build innovation (2025).

Each team will receive:

• A design-build project scenario: Customer Y’s new University Medical Innovation Center.
• A partial Revit model containing only architectural and structural elements.
• A narrative, site constraints, and preliminary budget from ELECTRI staff.

Each team must:

1. Design the electrical system from schematic to construction documents.
2. Use BIM tools to model and coordinate the system and resolve clashes with other trades.
3. Plan project delivery using project management best practices.
4. Price and schedule the project using a detailed estimate and schedule.
5. Prepare a change order in response to a mid-project scope modification.
6. Develop prefabrication and technology integration plans that improve efficiency and safety.
7. Leverage AI tools for design, estimating, or scheduling—documenting when and how AI was used.

COMPETITION FORMAT

The completed proposal must be original and prepared by the team members.

Working closely with local NECA contractors and NECA Chapters, each student team will deliver a comprehensive proposal package that includes:

1. Executive summary and qualifications statement.
2. Full BIM model of the electrical system.
3. Prefabrication plan with quantified labor and cost savings.
4. Detailed estimate and cost breakdown.
5. Construction schedule with milestone tracking.
6. Change order package for scope modification.
7. AI usage documentation that incorporates justification for AI-assisted work.
8. Sustainability plan with lifecycle cost analysis.

A voluntary jury of industry leaders will review all project proposals and select three finalist teams who will present their projects at the NECA 2026 Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The format will include each team delivering a live 20-minute presentation, followed by 10 minutes for Q&A with members of the competition jury.

Again, we thank Mr. Moylan and Mr. Kamber for their assistance and welcome ECA members for their input as the challenge progresses!  

Please contact the ECA office for further information.