This week, 51·çÁ÷ sent a letter opposing the possible use of a project labor agreement (PLA) mandate posted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for construction of a new hospital bed tower at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs, in Tampa, Fla.
Take Action: Urge Your U.S. Senators and Representative to Support H.R. 2751Â
On March 5, the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee unanimously approved by voice vote the Common Sense Construction Contracting Act of 2013, H.R. 2751, introduced by Representative Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.). This legislation would essentially prohibit federal agencies from procuring construction services through reverse auctions.  This is the first major hurdle the bill had to jump before coming law. However, more hurdles remain ahead in the legislative process. Please take action and urge your U.S. Senators and Representative to support H.R. 2751.
Take Action: Visit 51·çÁ÷’s Legislative Action Center to Submit Your Comments Today On Sept. 12, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a proposed new rule on silica exposure. 51·çÁ÷ members, chapters and interested stakeholders are encouraged to submit comment letters opposing the proposed new rule on silica exposure through the 51·çÁ÷ Legislative Action Center (LAC). A sample, editable letter has been provided for your convenience and can be customized to your respective operations. Click here to access the letter. All comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) Feb. 11, 2014.
Raising Minimum Wage on Federal Contracts & Streamlining Permitting Process
During Tuesday’s State of the Union, President Obama announced a host of planned executive orders. Most pertinent to the construction industry was: (1) a mandate to increase the minimum wage on federal contractors; and (2) another to streamline permitting processes for construction projects.
TAKE ACTION: Urge Your Congressman to Cosponsor H.R. 2750
With 51·çÁ÷ support, there is hope for movement of the Design-Build Efficiency and Jobs Act of 2013, H.R. 2750, through Congress this year. H.R. 2750 would reasonably limit single-step design-build procurements and reasonably limit the number of second-step design-build finalists. Please, take action and urge your representative to cosponsor and support H.R. 2750.
51·çÁ÷ recently submitted testimony on the need for continued federal agency participation at construction stakeholder conferences for a Senate Homeland Security and Government Reform Committee hearing on the topic. Given a time when the national debt and deficit remain high, the federal government should consider sensible and reasonable cost-savings measures. That being said, Congress should also reconsider the slash-and-burn take on federal travel spending for non-government conferences. While such a policy has proven penny wise, 51·çÁ÷ contends it is pound foolish and more reasonable approaches must be taken.
The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to President Obama's State of the Union address:
"It is encouraging that the president identified getting swift passage of both new long-term surface transportation and Water Resources Development bills as among his top priorities for the year. We expect Congress will heed his call for action on these two critical pieces of legislation and will work aggressively to help ensure their swift passage. We also expect that the administration's FY 2015 budget proposal will reflect the president's priorities and provide additional details about how to address chronic revenue shortfalls that once again threaten the viability of the Highway Trust Fund.
Congress Willing to Spend Money on Construction to Save Money in Long-Run
The appropriations law Congress passed last week sets the General Services Administration’s (GSA) FY 2014 construction funding at $1.5 billion—about $500 million for new construction and $1 billion for repairs and alterations. That’s more money for GSA construction than the last three fiscal years’ funding combined.
Green Globes May Also be Considered by DOD Agencies
The Department of Defense (DOD) may now consider and award projects that include LEED Platinum and Gold certifications. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2012 included a ban on FY 2012 funds for LEED gold or platinum construction for DOD. That ban was extended and expanded in the NDAA for FY 2013, not only to FY 2012 and FY 2013 funds, but all DOD funds whether appropriated or not. On Dec. 26, 2013, President Obama signed the NDAA for FY 2014, which did not extend that ban in any form.
On Jan. 21, 51·çÁ÷ sent a letter opposing the possible use of a project labor agreement (PLA) mandate posted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District for two projects at Fort Bragg, N.C.