Federal

NASBP has begun the year of 2009 monitoring and taking action on many Federal legislative and regulatory issues.

To pursue legislative and regulatory objectives, the NASBP Government Relations team has developed position briefs on issues of concern to NASBP and for use during NASBP visits to Congressional offices in 2009. These position briefs are available here.

NASBP Library of Government Relations Position Briefs
(downloadable pdf documents)

1 Support economic growth--rehab and repair of U.S. infrastructure--brief summary. (1 page) NASBP GovRel Position Brief Vol. 1 No. 1 

2 Support economic growth--rehab and repair of U.S. infrastructure--detailed description. (3 pages)
NASBP GovRel Position Brief Vol. 1 No. 2 

3 Support the unbundling of federal construction projects to allow small contractors to participate. (2 pages)
NASBP GovRel Position Brief Vol. 1 No. 3 

4 Support FAR Reforms for Transparency of Contracting Officer Decisions to Waive Miller Act Bond Requirements (2 pages)
NASBP GovRel Position Brief Vol. 1 No. 4 

5 Support FAR reforms on sections addressing the acceptability of bonds issued by individual sureties. (2 pages)
NASBP GovRel Position Brief Vol. 1 No. 5 

6 Support reinvigorating the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Surety Bond Guarantee Program. (2 pages)
NASBP GovRel Position Brief Vol. 1 No. 6

7 The 3% tax withholding on payments to government contractors will significantly disadvantage small construction firms. (2 pages)
NASBP GovRel Position Brief Vol. 1 No. 7 

Click here for the 2010 Government Relations Agenda. The NASBP Government Relations team will continue to develop and to post new position briefs, so check back regularly.

Also, for your reference, below is a list of web sites provided for research of Federal legislative and regulatory matters.

Department of Treasury, Financial Management Service (Treasury Dept's List of Approved Sureties)
In order for a surety company to write bonds on federal projects, such companies must receive a certificate of authority issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service (FMS). Companies receiving such certificates are listed on Circular 570, published by the FMS. Access to the listing can be obtained at the following website: http://www.fms.treas.gov/c570. The listing of a company on Circular 570 does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by FMS of one company over other sureties listed on Circular 570.

Federal Register -- published daily
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html
Click above to find Federal rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as, executive orders and other presidential documents.

U.S. Code Search Engine
http://uscode.house.gov/search/criteria.shtml
Click above to search the U.S. Code, a consolidation and codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the U.S.  

U.S. Code of Federal Regulations -- updated once a year
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html
Click above to find general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. Issued on a quarterly basis. 

U.S. House of Representatives
http://www.house.gov
Click above to search, via the THOMAS web site, for a House bill or resolution, and also for a committee report, presidential nomination, or a treaty.

U.S. Senate
http://www.senate.gov
Click above to search, via the THOMAS web site, for a Senate bill or resolution, and also for a committee report, presidential nomination, or a treaty. 

Congressional Record via GPO Access
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/index.html
Click above to find the official record of proceedings and debates of the U.S. Congress (published daily when Congress is in session). Vols. date from 140 (1994) to the present. 

White House
www.whitehouse.gov
Click above to access U.S. Presidential news and documents.  

Additional Links to other Federal Agencies:

Department of Justice
Department of Transportation
Federal Deposit Insurance Company
Small Business Administration

Additional Links to other Federal Legislative Sources:

Federal Courts
Library of Congress
THOMAS (Legislative Information on the Internet)
U.S. Supreme Court Cases

Click here to go to information about matters that occur at the state or local levels at our State Advocacy section of the NASBP site.

Supporting Economic Growth 1 (Adobe PDF File)
Support Unbundling 2 (Adobe PDF File)
Supporting Economic Growth 3 (Adobe PDF File)