State Licensure Requirements, Local Hiring Preferences, Registered Apprenticeship Goals & More
Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) Joins 鶹Ƶfor Tour
On August 24, the Federal Aviation Administration announced the award of $766 million in airport infrastructure grants to 279 airports as part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The AIP grant program awards billions of dollars each year for the planning and development of public-use airports across the country. As part of the AGC-supported fiscal year 2021 funding bill, the program received $3.75 billion in federal funding, $400M more than is authorized by the FAA Reauthorization Act. 鶹Ƶapplauds this funding announcement and will continue to support investment in our nation’s airport infrastructure. Click “learn more” to view the announcement and look at an interactive map of the projects awarded.
On Aug. 4, 鶹Ƶof America’s Federal & Heavy Construction Division participated at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Executive Governance Meeting, which gathers Army Corps commanders from across the agency. 鶹Ƶand the Army Corps discussed solutions to the challenges facing our nation’s infrastructure, and how the Army Corps can better partner with the construction industry. 鶹Ƶemphasized the strain contractors are facing with construction materials at record high prices and the continued availability challenges. 鶹Ƶurged Commanders to partner with 鶹ƵChapters and member contractors back in their district offices, and also provided government guidance encouraging such meetings.
On July 27, the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Defense announced the implementation of mask mandates for all federal workers, contractors, and visitors to federal facilities in areas with substantial or high community transmission of COVID-19 infections. Federal employees and “onsite contractors” will be required to “attest” to vaccination or be required to wear a mask. However, federal contractors nor agencies have received any implementation guidance which has resulted in confusion. Fundamental questions remain unanswered, including what the scope of the mandate is, who will bear the cost of testing, and if contractors working at multiple offices or for multiple agencies will be required to attest at each site. 鶹Ƶreceived notice that it could be as long as two weeks before guidance is issued. The association will update the membership as soon as such guidance is released.
On July 14, 鶹Ƶoutlined its priorities for the bipartisan infrastructure package to the group of bipartisan senators who are drafting the legislation. In addition to significant investments in physical infrastructure, 鶹Ƶcalls for investing in the construction workforce, streamlining the federal environmental review and permitting process, improving the construction supply chain, as well as ensuring provisions restricting the expansion of highway capacity are not included. 鶹Ƶand industry stakeholders continue to meet with the Senate offices working on this legislation to highlight construction industry priorities. The timing for when the legislation will be released and ultimately voted on continues to be unclear. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said the Senate will push to vote on it before the chamber breaks for the August recess.
On June 22, 鶹Ƶof America’s Federal & Heavy Construction division met with the Pre-Command Course for incoming District Commanders of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 鶹Ƶand the Army Corps discussed solutions to the challenges facing our nation’s infrastructure and how the Army Corps can better partner with the construction industry. 鶹Ƶemphasized the strain contractors are facing with construction materials at record high prices and the continued availability challenges. 鶹Ƶurged District Commanders to partner with 鶹ƵChapters and member contractors back in their district offices, and also providing government guidance encouraging such meetings. 鶹Ƶlooks forward to continuing its decades long partnership with the Army Corps to ensure the delivery of high-quality facilities and infrastructure and will help ensure a brighter future for the construction industry, the Army Corps, and our nation.
鶹Ƶwarns could result in significant delays for infrastructure project delivery
Government- Mandated Project Labor Agreements & Local Hire Requirements
President Biden is expected to put forth his proposal for a multi-trillion investment in infrastructure on March 31. The proposal is expected to include significant investments in a broad range of construction projects including roads, bridges, public transit, airports, drinking water and wastewater, schools, renewable energy, broadband and more. In addition to physical infrastructure, proposal is anticipated to include significant investments in “human infrastructure,” including but not limited to free community colleges, universal pre-kindergarten and paid family leave. 鶹Ƶwelcomes sorely-needed public and private construction investment that can generate long-term benefits for our economy, communities and national security. However, 鶹Ƶremains concerned about the possibility of unpredictable and impracticable federal requirements being attached to those investments that, in turn, could significantly diminish its buying power and create barriers to full and open competition.