In the November/December 2019 edition of Pipeline, it was noted that the Construction Industry Procurement Coalition (CIPC), of which NASBP is a member, was seeking to establish a congressional caucus. The objective of the caucus would be to serve as a forum for U.S. House Members to discuss ways to improve efficiency in the federal government procurement process with the goal of promoting commonsense procurement reforms to benefit the government, taxpayers, and businesses of all sizes.

Throughout the past few months, members of CIPC met with a number of House congressional offices to garner their interest in becoming caucus members. Late last month, U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA 52) and Pete Stauber (R-MN 8) agreed to serve as co-chairs of the newly formed Construction Procurement Caucus. Rep. Peters serves on the U.S. House Committee on Budget and the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

According to the Congressman’s bio, he has passed legislation to give the military the advanced technology it needs to fight terrorism and to level the playing field for small businesses competing for government contracts. Congressman Stauber serves on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the U.S. House Committee on Small Business. The CIPC has worked closely with Rep. Stauber as the co-sponsor of H.R. 2344, legislation which requires federal agencies to submit timely partial payments for owner directed change orders. Congressman Stauber is member of the House Problem Solvers Caucus, an bipartisan caucus which seeks solutions on key policy issues such as rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure.

Earlier this month, the Co-chairs sent a “Dear Colleague Letter,” asking House members to join the caucus. The co-chairs are expected to formally unveil the caucus at a press conference. NASBP sees the caucus as another avenue with which to educate members of congress about the importance of surety bond requirements and federal procurements.