Newsline

OFCCP Launches Mega Construction Project Program

On March 14, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced the launch of a new Mega Construction Contract Program.

ABC Opposes FAR Council’s Proposed Greenhouse Gas Emissions Disclosures and Reductions Mandate

On Feb. 13, ABC submitted comments to the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council regarding a proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require certain federal contractors to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and set GHG emissions reduction targets.

Federal Agencies Take Actions Aimed at Reducing Construction Emissions

Recently, federal agencies have taken a number of actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the construction industry. ABC continues to track these initiatives while participating in the regulatory process to ensure that the need to protect our environment is accomplished without imposing unnecessarily costly and burdensome requirements on the construction industry. 

FAR Council Proposes Rule Requiring Emissions Disclosures and Reductions for Federal Contractors

On Nov. 14, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council issued a proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require certain federal contractors to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and set GHG emission reduction targets.

Under the proposed rule, federal contractors who qualify as significant contractors, (those receiving between $7.5 million and $50 million in federal contracting obligations in the prior fiscal year) would be required to inventory their annual GHG emissions and disclose this information to the federal government.

ABC Submits Comments Opposing Revision to LM-10 Employer Report Form

On Oct. 13, ABC submitted a comment letter the U.S Department of Labor’s Office of Management and Labor Standards regarding its proposed revisions to the LM-10 Employer Report form. Employers must file this form with the OLMS to disclose certain payments, expenditures, agreements and arrangements, including the hiring of outside labor relations consultants to help inform their employees regarding union organizing or collective bargaining, known as “persuader activities.”

GSA Releases Request for Information on Buy Clean Initiative

On Oct. 4, the General Services Administration released a Request for Information regarding the Biden administration’s “Buy Clean” initiative. The initiative calls for federal agencies to prioritize the use of American-made, lower-carbon construction materials in federal procurement as well as federally assisted projects.

Federal Contractors: Voice Your Opposition FAR’s Proposed PLA Rule at SBA’s Virtual Roundtable on Sept. 29

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.

Survey: 97% of ABC Contractors Say Biden’s Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreement Policies Would Make Federal Construction More Expensive

According to a September 2022 survey of ABC contractor members published today, 98% oppose President Biden’s proposed rule mandating project labor agreements on federal construction projects of $35 million or more. PLA schemes needlessly increase costs and exacerbate the construction industry’s skilled labor shortage because they exclude almost nine out of 10 workers from participating in these contracts.

Take Action: Tell the Biden Administration to Scrap Its Costly Pro-PLA Scheme by Oct. 18

ABC recently released a new action alert to help members tell the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to withdraw a controversial proposed rule opposed by ABC that would require project labor agreements on federal construction contracts of $35 million or more.

OSHA Updates Severe Violator Enforcement Program

On Sept. 15, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced it had expanded its Severe Violator Enforcement Program to include all hazards and OSHA standards and focus on repeat offenders in all industries.