TEST Paragraph
Awards
Events/Products/Programs
Legislation
Politics and Policy
Regulations
Safety
State/Local News
Workforce Development
ABC Newsline
On Sept. 15, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced that it was ex
ABC has extended the deadline of an important survey of contractor members that seeks to gauge their opinions and experiences with government-mandated project labor agreements. The deadline has been extended due to the need for as many members as possible to respond to the survey. This feedback will be critical to providing effective, informed comments opposing the Biden administration’s harmful proposed rule that requires PLAs on all federal contracts of $35 million or more.
The law will be implemented through a new Chips for America program established at the DOC, with funding documents to be released by February 2023. The plan includes significant funding for the construction and expansion of manufacturing facilities dedicated to the production, testing and assembly of semiconductors. The plan notes that Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements will apply to all CHIPS-funded construction projects. ABC opposed the inclusion of prevailing wage requirements in semiconductor legislation through
The top ten in Building Design & Construction’s recently published list of the 100 best K-12 school contractors and construction management firms are all ABC members. These successful contractors were ranked based on 2021 revenue.
On Sept. 6, the NLRB announced a new joint employer proposed rule, which would rescind and replace the ABC-supported 2020 final rule on Joint Employer Status Under the National Labor Relations Act. ABC plans to submit comments opposing the new proposal, and members are encouraged to do so as well. The deadline for the public to comment is Nov. 7.
ABC is conducting an important survey of contractor members to gauge opinions and experiences with government-mandated project labor agreements. Ensuring as many members as possible respond to this survey will be vital to providing effective, informed comments opposing a harmful proposed rule that requires PLAs on all federal contracts over $35 million.
On Aug. 31, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration released a proposed waiver of Buy America requirements for the construction of electric vehicle chargers receiving federal assistance.
On Sept. 2, the General Services Administration issued a final rule to allow unions access to federal property for the purpose of soliciting membership from the employees of federal contractors. Previously, these activities were barred by a general prohibition on soliciting, posting and distributing materials in or on federal property controlled by the GSA.
Associated Builders and Contractors responded to the Biden Administration’s launch of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative, saying that while raising awareness about apprenticeship is commendable, the promotion of only government-registered apprenticeships is not.
On Aug. 19, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs published a notice in the Federal Register to inform federal contractors of a Freedom of Information Act request that seeks all Type 2 Consolidated EEO-1 report demographic data (or “Component 1” EEO-1 reports) submitted by federal contractors and first-tier subcontractors from 2016 to 2020. According to the OFCCP, Will Evans from the Center for Investigative Reporting submitted the FOIA request. Contractors have until Sept. 19 to submit written objections to the disclosure of their EEO-1 reports.