Excellence in Damage Prevention
Miss Utility Awards
Locator Achievement Awards
For more than two decades, the Locator Achievement Awards have given organizations the opportunity to recognize the best partners in damage prevention: Locating Technicians. We all work with dedicated locating technicians who strive to improve the damage prevention process every day. This is your chance to give these professionals the recognition they deserve.
The Process
Nomination
Nominations for the 23rd Annual Locator Achievement Awards are now being accepted and must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Nominations are submitted by locating technician managers using the online nomination form that is emailed to locating organizations via their call center district database email address. The link to the nomination form can also be requested by emailing [email protected]. Depending on the regions outlined below, 2-3 eligible locators can be submitted each year by using the nomination form.
The nine regions are:
- Region #1: Harford & Cecil County (max. 2 nominees)
- Region #2: Washington, D.C. (max. 2 nominees)
- Region #3: Montgomery County (max. 3 nominees)
- Region #4: Baltimore City & Baltimore County (max. 3 nominees)
- Region #5: Calvert, Charles & St. Mary’s County (max. 3 nominees)
- Region #6: Allegany, Garrett & Washington County (max. 2 nominees)
- Region #7: Anne Arundel County (max. 3 nominees)
- Region #8: Prince George’s County (max. 3 nominees)
- Region #9: Howard, Carroll & Frederick County (max. 3 nominees)
The Criteria
Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility period is the full year (January 1st to December 31st) prior to nomination. In order to be eligible for a Miss Utility Locator Achievement Award applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Submitted individuals must have performed facility/utility location services as his/her FULL-TIME job in at least one of the above regions during the eligibility period AND must have responded to at least 1,500 locate requests during that time.
- Submitted individuals must have been employed by the nominating organization for at least 12 months at the time the form is submitted.
- Locator must have ZERO at-fault damages, ZERO safety violations and pass quality audits (if applicable) within his/her respective organization for the eligibility period.
- Locator must understand and abide by Maryland Code Title 12 “Underground Facilities” and/or Washington D.C. Code Title 34 Public Utilities.
- Locator must establish proactive working relationships in damage prevention.
- No more than two (2) or three (3) locating technicians per region may be submitted, as outlined by the regions above.
- You can only nominate your own company employee(s) (i.e. none of your subcontractors or contract locators). If you are a utility owner member receiving this email, you may forward to your contract locate representative for follow up as applicable.