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51���� Federal and Heavy Construction Division Vice Chair Nigel Cary of Cox Construction, San Diego, Calif., in opposition to reverse auctions before a joint hearing of the House Veterans Affairs and Small Business Committees on December 11. At the hearing, 51����’s Cary noted that the reverse auction process ignores the unique nature of construction. General contractors, specialty contractors, subcontractors and suppliers offer and provide a mix of services, materials and systems. They do not “manufacture” buildings, highways, or other facilities. The Committees called on 51���� to testify given the association’s extensive involvement in educating federal agencies as to the risks of procuring construction services through online reverse auctions. Specifically, 51���� has recently pushed back against the and   in opposition to their use of reverse auctions for construction. Additionally, 51���� recently sent a letter to and met with the on its that enables any federal agency to conduct the procurement of certain construction services and materials through an online reverse auction.  51���� also testified before the House Small Business Committee in May, urging it to introduce legislation, , to prohibit reverse auctions for construction.  You can view a recording of the hearing by . For more information, please contact Jimmy Christianson at 703-837-5325 or christiansonj@agc.org.��