On Oct. 15, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a final rule establishing its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Program requiring federal contractors and subcontractors competing for DOD contracts to demonstrate continued compliance with a range of cybersecurity measures in order to maintain eligibility for performing and winning new federal awards.

On Oct. 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs released its updated its Construction Compliance Review Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing (also known as a construction scheduling letter). The construction scheduling letter notifies federal contractors they will be undergoing a compliance review of their equal employment opportunity obligations. The updated letter applies to all reviews scheduled on or after Oct. 1, 2024.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the EO 14026 minimum wage rate that generally must be paid to workers performing work on or in connection with covered contracts will increase from $17.20 to $17.75 per hour. This minimum wage rate will apply to nontipped and tipped employees alike.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act requires certain entities, including many small businesses, to report information about the individuals who ultimately own or control them (also known as “beneficial owners”) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

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.