The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy will host a roundtable to discuss the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council’s proposed rule that would require federal contractors and their subcontractors to enter into project labor agreements for federal construction projects of $35 million or more. The virtual roundtable will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, from 1-2 p.m. ET. ABC encourages all federal contractors and subcontractors to participate to make their voices heard on this critical issue.

On Aug. 19, 2022, the FAR Council proposed a rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulations to implement EO 14063, the Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects, which increased the contract threshold from $25 million to $35 million. A PLA is defined as a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project.

Ben Brubeck, vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs at ABC, will present at the roundtable on the impact of the proposed rule on small construction companies.

Roundtable meetings are open to all interested persons, except the press, in order to facilitate an open and frank discussion about issues of interest to small business. The purpose of this meeting is to exchange opinions, facts and information and to obtain attendees’ views and opinions regarding regulatory and policy issues affecting small businesses.

The Office of Advocacy does warn that presentations made during this roundtable will not substitute for written comments directly from interested parties to the FAR Council. Written comments on this proposed rule are due on Oct. 18, 2022. If you need assistance drafting your comments, contact Michael Altman at [email protected].

RSVPs should be sent to Janis Reyes, assistant chief counsel, at [email protected].