In its recent report to Congress, the Bureau of Reclamation noted that diminishing federal funding over the years has resulted in delays to rural water supply projects. Between 1980 and 2007, Congress directed the Bureau to undertake eleven specific rural water supply projects. Of those eleven, four have been completed in South Dakota and in Montana and seven remain unfinished in North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, Montana, Iowa and Minnesota.
When Congress comes back from its August recess, the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee will likely work on reauthorizing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). WRDA authorizes federal investment in and policies for flood control, navigation and environmental restoration projects and has not been reauthorized since 2007, when more than $23 billion was authorized over five years. Contact your representative and senators NOW to tell them it’s time to reauthorize WRDA by clicking here.
On August 8, AGC urged the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to reverse a decision to procure construction services using an online reverse auction. Specifically, the National Parks Service (NPS)—an agency within DOI’s jurisdiction—recently issued a solicitation for the “delivery and supply of flexible road base” to be procured as a commercial item contract, rather than a construction services contract, using a reverse auction.
AGC will hold a free webinar on August 28 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT to educate federal contractors about a final executive compensation and subcontractor award rule that is going into effect on August 27. Mr. Edward DeLisle, a partner in the construction and federal contracting groups of Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC, will discuss the rule’s scope and how federal contractors can comply with the new rule. To RSVP for the webinar, click here.
On Aug.2, the House of Representatives passed a short-term, $383 million drought disaster relief bill in lieu of a multi-year, comprehensive farm bill that includes critical flood protection funding. Democrats opposed the cuts to food stamps and Republicans were opposed to some of the subsidies for farmers.
A final rule to implement a Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act requirement affecting federal contractors will go into effect on Aug. 27, 2012. Under the new rule promulgated by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council, federal contractors will be required to report the names and total compensation of the five most highly compensated officers under certain circumstances, as well as awards to first-tier subcontractors above $25,000.
House Republican leadership continues to delay consideration of a farm bill, which includes $85 million a year through FY 2017 for the Small Watershed Rehabilitation (SWR) program, the nation’s only dam rehabilitation program. This program assists local communities with improving aging flood control dams, thereby helping to address public health and safety needs before a tragic dam failure occurs.
On July 16, AGC sent a letter to the House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) and Ranking Democrat Adam Smith (D-Wash.) urging them to encourage the Department of Defense (DOD) to issue its report on counting small business participation at all tiers.
On July 16, AGC filed comments on proposed Small Business Administration (SBA) rules on multiple award contracts (MAC), bundling and consolidation. If finalized, the proposed rules would further streamline and clarify SBA regulations on the books regarding MACs and small business set-asides. Although generally supportive of the proposed rules, AGC made the following points:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently revised the schedule for its safety manual revision—called EM 385-1-1, 2008—to allow for more time for comments from industry stakeholders. AGC will work to provide opportunities for contractors to meet via conference call and/or face-to-face with the USACE on this revision at given points throughout the process. To make a comments on the first draft, click here.