NUCA’s Excellence in Underground project competition recognizes challenging, innovative, or unique projects completed with excellent results.
Top Jobs Project Award
Guidelines
What you will need to provide when submitting your application:
• A brief overview of the project including challenges, and any construction methods, innovative ideas, or technologies used to complete the project. • List any subcontractors and equipment, material, or service providers and how or why they were important to the success of the job. • Benefits of the project to the client and community. • A minimum of two photographs – maximum of five. All photographs should be reviewed by safety personnel to ensure that there are no safety hazards. Photos with hazards or OSHA violations will not be displayed. Photos should be no larger than 300mb.
Contractors may enter construction projects in the following 10 categories:
Communications Electrical Power Gas Distribution Oil & Gas Pipelines Shale Gas Play Water or Treatment Plants Water Distribution Sanitary Sewer Collection Trenchless Technologies Excavation/Site Development Contractors may enter the same project in more than one category or more than one project in the same category or different jobs in more than one category, but a single project may only be selected as a finalist in one category.
Associate members are not eligible to apply. However, if an associate member, e.g. heavy equipment company, trench protection company, or material or service provider, was instrumental in helping to resolve a problem, or helped to ensure the successful completion of the job, the company and its contribution should be included in the application.
The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Judging
All Excellence in Underground submissions received by December 15, 2025, will be on display at the National Convention for member voting. Electronic and paper voting options will be open to all attendees from Wednesday, February 11 at 8:00 am until Thursday, February 12 at 12:00 pm. All votes will be counted, and the top three jobs will move to the final round. A secret panel of judges will select the winner.
Award Information
Award acceptance and recognition will take place during the Awards Gala at the National Convention in Tucson, AZ on February 12, 2026.
The overall winner will be featured in the Utility Contractor magazine.
A press release, announcing the winner and information about the winning project, will be sent to local/regional newspapers, utility/project owners, as well as local city councils, and if requested state, and federal legislators in their districts of their choice. The release will also be sent to the local chapter for distribution where they think appropriate or where the contractor requests. Questions on applying? Contact Ms. Chris Barrett at chris@nuca.com or Catie Amsden at catie@nuca.com
