PARTNERING AWARD

The MdQI Excellence in Partnering Awards are an annual statewide recognition of completed partnered projects that best highlight the principles of partnering. The main purpose is to celebrate success, share lessons learned of best practices and honor all project stakeholders. These awards are for the successful use of partnering practices on a transportation-related project in Maryland.

Big News for the MdQI Awards Program!

We’re excited to share that the 2024 MdQI Awards are getting their own spotlight! Instead of holding the Awards Ceremony at the annual MdQI conference, the Awards Ceremony will be held as a stand-alone event on Wednesday, April 9 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at Martin's Valley Mansion, where we will honor the outstanding achievements that are shaping Maryland’s transportation landscape. This prestigious event is the premier industry awards ceremony, recognizing innovation, quality, and leadership across the sector.

The MDQI Annual Awards of Excellence is a distinguished event that honors outstanding achievements in Maryland’s transportation industry. This prestigious ceremony recognizes exemplary projects, innovative solutions, and industry leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing quality, safety, and efficiency in transportation infrastructure. With participation from state partners, contractors, engineers, and industry stakeholders, the event highlights the best in design, construction, and project delivery. The awards celebration features a formal presentation, industry recognition, and networking opportunities, showcasing the collaborative efforts that drive progress and excellence in Maryland's transportation sector.

Keynote Address: 

• Paul Wiedefeld, Secretary of Transportation, MDOT

This highly anticipated evening will feature:

• A networking reception with industry leaders and peers.

• A formal awards ceremony honoring excellence across multiple categories.

• A delectable dinner with special guest speakers.

Awards Categories:

• "Project of the Year” (Will be selected from the years MDOT/Municipal award winners.)

• MDOT/Municipal Award (Under $5 Million and Over $5 Million)

• Green/Sustainability/Environmental Award

• Planning Award

• Innovation Award 

• MBE/DBE Firm Award (Engineering and Construction)

• Subcontractor Award (Engineering and Construction)

• Partnering Awards

• Pierce J. Flanigan, III Award

• Leadership & Excellence Award in the Public Sector

• Raja Veeramachaneni Innovators Award

Applications are now closed. 

We can’t wait to see the inspiring projects and people that continue to elevate transportation in Maryland.

Register here!

Project Eligibility

To be eligible for an award, the project must have a date of substantial completion or acceptance for maintenance between October 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024. Engineering consultants and contractors can also submit applications for the awards. Applications must be submitted by February 14, 2025.

The award winners will be announced at the Awards Banquet on April 3, 2025.  

 Criteria

The Excellence in Partnering Award applications are judged on both objective and subjective criteria and scored by a team composed of industry leaders. The judges look carefully at the responses to questions. Specific examples, supporting facts and documents are encouraged. Please do not leave out any requested information as it affects the overall score.

application directions

• To apply, applicants must register for an account at Jotform.com.

• Although the form is available to preview as a PDF, all applications must be submitted electronically through the online form on Jotform.

• A separate application is required for each project submitted. Applications are due no later than February 14, 2025.

• To give all applications, the same opportunity, applications that do not follow the rules and format listed below, or are received after the deadline, will not be considered for an award.

• If you would like to continue a partially completed application, click "save" on the form and a link will be emailed to you. This link can be used at any time to update your application. Entries may be edited up until the application deadline using the emailed link.

• Applications must be submitted using the "submit" button in the application form in order to be considered for an award.

• Various sections of the application have a maximum word count. The application form will automatically calculate the word count for the applicant within the response field.

• All entries become the property of MdQI.

Supporting Documentation Checklist

• All document file names must be labeled with the project's contract number and description of the document.

  • • • For example, “ABC4567_Issue Resolution Ladder.”

• The Partnering Charter serves as a reminder of the team’s commitment to the partnering concept, values, principles, and mutual vision for the project. Include a copy of the team’s Partnering Charter. The Issue Resolution Ladder is designed to solve issues in a timely manner at the lowest level. Include a copy of the team’s Issue Resolution Ladder.

• Team members and stakeholders often have valuable information about how something was done, what options were considered, or various methods, techniques, or processes that were tried. Include a copy of the team’s Lesson Learned or Close-Out Meeting Minutes.

• All projects use some form of measurement to track their partnership. Include a copy of the feedback/measurement results.

  • • • MDOT SHA Projects that have not entered Partnering Ratings into the Partnering database will not be considered for the Partnering Award.

• A maximum of five additional supporting documents (8 ½ inches by 11 inches, one side only) may be uploaded with your application. Supporting documents can include text, photographs, charts, graphs or appropriate tables to highlight results. The Partnering Charter, Issue Resolution Ladder, Lessons Learned/Close-Out Meeting Minutes, and Feedback Measurement Results are not counted as additional documents.

Partnering Subcommittee Co-Chairs