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TAKE ACTION: Urge Your Representative to Oppose Bid ListingLegislation Rep. Carolyn Maloney recently introduced the Construction Quality Assurance Act of 2013, H.R. 1942, which would mandate general contractors’ bid listing of subcontractors for federal projects. Specifically, if enacted, H.R. 1942 would require general contractors who bid directly with federal construction agencies on projects over $1 million to list each subcontractor that will perform over $100,000 of work on their bids. 51���� urges members to TAKE ACTION and urge your Representative to oppose H.R. 1942.

51���� Advocacy Efforts Help Bring Large Bipartisan Victory On May 15, the Senate overwhelmingly passed its version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA) by an 83-14 vote. Although the Senate passed the bill by a large, bipartisan margin, 14 senators voted against the bill. Those senators include: Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Lee (R-Utah), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.). Please click here to thank or to express disappointment to your senators on their vote.

On May 16, 51���� sent a letter opposing the possible use of a project labor agreement (PLA) mandate posted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District for large scale dredging projects—over $25 million— within Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

This week on the Senate floor, Senators debated amendments to S. 601 – the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA). Debate is expected to continue through early next week. Please TAKE ACTION NOW and urge your senators to pass WRDA.

Projects in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas On May 6, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) identified nearly $600 million in environmental restoration projects in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to help address the damage of the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. While this development represents significant construction investment, it is important to note that these identified projects are not yet at the solicitation phase, but rather still face a period of public comment and environmental review before becoming “street ready.”

On May 9, 51���� sent a letter opposing the possible use of a project labor agreement (PLA) mandate posted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District for the construction of a conference center and dormitories for the U.S. Customs & Border Protection's advanced training center in Harpers Ferry, W. Va.

Next week, the Senate will consider passage of S. 601 – the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA). If passed, WRDA will help provide funding to address our nation’s aging navigational system of inland waterways, coastal harbors and ports, locks and dams, and flood control protections. It will also provide funding for the restoration of many critical environmental areas in our country. Take action NOW and urge your senators to pass WRDA.

On May 2, 51���� sent a letter opposing the possible use of a project labor agreement (PLA) mandate posted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District for the design and construction of a new 320-person AIT Barracks located at the Presidio of Monterey, Calif.

With the FY 2013 budget in place and the president’s FY 2014 budget released, federal agencies now have a better understanding of the projects coming down the pipe. Many top congressional and federal agency leaders are attending the 2013 Federal Contractors Conference and will discuss their plans. Will you be there to hear what they say and get a jump on the competition?

Military Construction The president’s FY 2014 budget request for military construction on the whole provides a slight gain over FY 2013 funding levels. The president’s proposal includes about a $400 million – or approximately 5 percent – increase for direct service military construction accounts. Additionally, family housing construction and operation and maintenance accounts under the administration’s budget are set to provide approximately $90 million - or 5 percent – more than last year.