Excellence in Damage Prevention

Miss Utility Awards

Dig Smart Award

The 2026 Dig Smart Awards (DSA) submissions are now open. The DSA contest has been established and structured by the Maryland and Washington, D.C. Damage Prevention Committee, One Call Concepts, Inc., and their subscribing utilities.

The Miss Utility Damage Prevention Committee holds the annual Dig Smart Awards as part of our quest to promote underground utility safety and recognize those who steadily work toward damage prevention. The 2026 application allows you to explain how your company goes above and beyond to ensure damages are prevented.

Nomination Form

Deadline

All entries must be submitted through this form by Friday, August 14, 2026. Members of the Maryland and Washington, D.C. Damage Prevention Committee will be vetting the entries for final winner selections.

**Please note the 2026 Dig Smart Awards recognize companies for outstanding damage prevention practices during the time period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.**

NOTE: All companies must submit an annual nomination form. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT A FORM FOR THIS YEAR, YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Only one submission per company allowed. If we receive multiple submissions per company, only the first submission will be considered.

Winners

There will be two winners: one company in Maryland and one company in Washington, D.C. Entries will be judged at a minimum for completeness and accuracy of answers provided, and all entries will be verified by Miss Utility and its member utilities.

Winners will receive recognition by peers as leaders in damage prevention at the 2026 Greater Chesapeake Damage Prevention Training Conference (GCDPTC), being held October 20-23, 2026, in Ocean City, Maryland. Winners will also receive two complimentary packages to the conference, which include registration, meals, and two nights of hotel accommodations.

To show our appreciation for your company’s entry, all applicants (with exception of the DSA winners) will have the opportunity to win a sponsorship for up to two employees to attend the 2026 GCDPTC.

2024-2025

Dig Smart Award Winners

This year, the committee reviewed entries from some of the safest contractors in Maryland and Washington, D.C. These outstanding organizations were chosen from a group of excellent nominations from contractors across Maryland and the District of Columbia. The winners were determined after a review of each company’s damage prevention practices by a select panel of industry experts.

Excellence Award Winner: Gray & Son, Inc.
Gray & Son has been family owned and operated since 1908 and is a leading contractor in Maryland for both private & public projects. We specialize in paving, excavating, utilities, concrete, soil stabilization, sediment control, storm water management, and commercial snow removal. We are a leading producer of asphalt pavement products and recycled products with 4 asphalt plants in Maryland.

Miss Utility MD Winner: Garney Construction
Garney is a national leader in water and wastewater construction. Since1961, they’ve focused on building water and wastewater systems of all sizes for municipal, federal, industrial, and private clients. They specialize in collaborative project delivery solutions, including CMAR and design-build for their clients nationwide.

Miss Utility D.C. Winner: CW & Sons Infrastructure
CW & Sons was established in 2009 with the goal of becoming a leading utility contractor in the Mid-Atlantic region. CW & Sons specializes in the installation of underground infrastructure supporting utility companies, public and government agencies, and private companies. Building on the foundations of our experienced and professional employees, CW & Sons has become a recognized industry leader capable of delivering exceptional quality safely and efficiently. Based in the District of Columbia as a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE), CW & Sons proudly serves the greater Washington, D.C. and Mid-Atlantic region.

Congratulations to our winners & thank you to all organizations that submitted nominations!

  • All American Geotech Inc
  • Anchor Construction Corp.
  • Automatic Rain Lawn Sprinklers
  • B. Frank Joy LLC
  • Beaver Creek LLC
  • C & C Fencing Inc
  • Capitol Paving of DC
  • Civil Construction, LLC
  • Ferguson Trenching Co., Inc.
  • Howard County DPW
  • M Luis Construction Co. Inc.
  • M.T. Laney Company Inc.
  • Monumental Paving & Excavating
  • NPL
  • Precision Utility Construction, Inc.
  • Precision Pipeline Solutions
  • S&N Infrastructure
  • Sagres Construction
  • The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
  • Ultra Utilities Construction LLC