NASBP Explains Importance of U.S. Senate Bill to Key Procurement Officials

On August 19, NASBP described the importance of U.S. Senate Bill 1526 to more than 40 key federal procurement officials at the Design-Build Institute of America/SAME Federal Project Delivery Symposium in Washington, DC. Panelists Larry LeClair, Director of Government Relations at NASBP; Jimmy Christianson, Director of Government Affairs Federal & Heavy Construction Division at the Associated General Contractors of America; and Jessica Salmoiraghi, Director of Federal Agencies and International Programs at the American Council of Engineering Companies explained key provisions included in S.1526, the “Construction Consensus Procurement Improvement Act of 2015.” The panelists related how the bill’s provisions address design-build, reverse auctions, and the use of individual sureties on federal contracts. Pictured from left are Christianson, LeClair, and Salmoiraghi. Photo is courtesy of Stephen Karl of SAME.

Among those in the audience were representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, General Services Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Energy and Homeland Security as well as the military, represented by the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, and National Guard. Attendees raised questions and were generally supportive of the provisions contained in the bill. Louis Jenny, Vice President of Advocacy and Outreach at DBIA, moderated the panel discussion.

Congress is in Recess-The Construction Procurement Coalition Continues to Work Senate Bill 1526

After the U.S. Congress was unable to agree upon a long-term highway transportation bill, the President signed a three-month extension to prevent an interruption of funds for roads and bridges during the busy summer construction season. Shortly thereafter, Congress adjourned for its annual summer vacation, and, in doing so has left behind a stack of unfinished business. When Congress returns in September, it must decide upon such pressing matters as a vote on a nuclear deal with Iran and 12 annual spending bills to fund the government. It has reached a point of brinkmanship over several controversial issues, which could lead to a government shutdown and to raising the federal debt limit.

Even though Congress may be at loggerheads over funding issues, the Construction Procurement Coalition continues to meet with key staffers on the Senate Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) and Armed Services Committee (SASC) to educate them on the importance of S.1526. Recently two Senators signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, New Hampshire Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D), who is Ranking Member on the Small Business Committee and serves on SASC, and Kelly Ayotte (R), who also serves on HSGAC and SASC. This bolsters the chance of the bill’s success, as these two Senators can speak of the bill’s merits to their colleagues who serve on these committees. In all likelihood, S.1526 will be marked up sometime in September.

NASBP Meet-and-Greet for Maryland Delegate Kumar Barve

Last month, NASBP hosted a meet-and-greet for Maryland State Delegate Kumar Barve (D), who is running for the open seat in Maryland’s 8th U.S. Congressional District being vacated by Congressman Chris Van Hollen, who is running for the U.S. Senate. Among those attending were representatives from: the American Institute of Architects, the Maryland Chapter of the American Subcontractor’s Association, CNA Insurance, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association and its Maryland Chapter, and the National Electrical Contractors Association and NASBP First Vice President Lynne Cook from the NASBP Member firm of Early, Cassidy & Schilling in Rockville, MD.

Delegate Barve was the first Indian-American elected to serve in a state legislature in U.S. history and currently serves as the House Majority Leader and Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Among the other democratic candidates vying for the open seat, Barve is the most business sensitive and believes business concerns translate to policy and legislation. Barve is an accountant and CFO of an environmental management company. The Maryland Democratic Party primary will be held in April 2016.