On Oct. 7, ABC submitted comments on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s proposed rule on the Historically Underutilized Business Zone program. In addition to revisions to the HUBZone program, the proposal also makes a number of significant changes to a wide range of SBA programs utilized by federal contractors, including joint ventures, the mentor-protege program and recertification requirements under multiple award contracts.

ABC has added Alabama chapter member Tim Harrison of Harrison Construction Co. Inc. to the Beam Club Hall of Fame Level.

After months of failed negotiations, a strike by members of the International Longshoremen’s Association began Oct. 1. As ILA members walked off the job without a new contract from the United States Maritime Alliance, more than 35 ports shut down along the East and Gulf coasts. In their first strike since 1977, the ILA has pledged to strike ‘as long as necessary’ seeking higher wages and a new language on automation in a six-year contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance.

On Sept. 27, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, issued a veto on SB 894, a bill that centered around the imposition of mandated project labor agreements on state construction projects. When introduced, the bill originally was crafted to mandate PLAs on all state projects over $35 million in total project costs, directly mirroring President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14063, which mandates PLAs on all federal construction projects over the same $35 million threshold.

On Sept. 30, ABC launched an important survey to obtain ABC member contractor feedback on OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Indoor and Outdoor Settings proposed rule. OSHA’s proposed rule would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction and require employers to develop programs and implement controls to protect employees from heat hazards.

ABC has added Empire State chapter member Diane Cahill of Cahill Strategies LLC to the Beam Club Presidential Level.

On Aug. 15, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a proposed rule, Assessing Contractor Implementation of Cybersecurity Requirements, which seeks to implement contractual requirements for DOD contracts related to the recently proposed Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0 Program. As currently proposed, the rule raises serious concerns regarding a lack of clear definitions and flexibility for federal contractors on DOD projects.

On Sept. 19, Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-NY., introduced the CTE Student Mental Health and Wellness Act. This legislation would make area career and technical education schools eligible for mental health and substance use disorder services grants provided by the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant program. Notably, institutions of higher education already have access to GLS grant dollars, and this bill would expand the list of covered institutions eligible to receive GLS grant dollars to include CTEs. Reps. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., joined Rep. Langworthy in introducing the legislation.

ABC recently participated in a White House-sponsored roundtable discussion, “Recovery in the Workplace: Investing to Build the Workforce of Tomorrow,” which convened a dozen leading corporations and business groups to highlight the importance of recovery-ready and recovery-friendly workplaces and share best practices. Greg Sizemore, ABC vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development, discussed ABC’s Total Human Health Initiative and more at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s National Recovery Month Roundtable.

ABC congratulates Baker Concrete Construction Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a member of the Florida East Coast and several other chapters, and Bald Hill Builders of Walpole, Massachusetts, a member of ABC’s Massachusetts chapter, for earning the Accredited Quality Contractor credential.