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Showcase Your Company’s Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Apply for AGC’s Diversity & Inclusion Awards by October 15
AGC of America is now accepting applications for its 2019 AGC Diversity & Inclusion Awards program. AGC will present a total of six awards in three award categories: 1) Diverse Business of the Year, 2) Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards, and 3) Chapter Diversity & Inclusion Award. These awards seek to raise awareness of the value that a diverse workforce and inclusive environment brings to a company by spotlighting diversity and inclusion champions within AGC. By recognizing these diversity and inclusion champions, AGC hopes to inspire other AGC member-companies to engage in activities that will promote diversity and inclusion both within the Association and the industry.
AGC member companies and chapters in good standing who meet the competition requirements are encouraged to apply online for some much-deserved recognition. Apply by October 15, 2018. Learn more about AGC of America’s Diversity & Inclusion Awards program at www.agc.org/diversityawards.
For more information, contact Brynn Huneke at [email protected] or (703) 837-5376.

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AGC-Backed Change Order Reform Bill Passes House

Encourages Federal Construction Agency Transparency and Reporting
The recently released fiscal year (FY) 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report includes the AGC-backed bipartisan legislation that will require federal agencies to publish their change orders policy and procedures on any small business federal construction contract (see Sec. 855 of conference report). This legislation provides prospective federal construction contractors with the information they need to help factor into their bids and offers the risk and resulting cost of delayed payment for change order work.  The House of Representatives passed the FY 2019 NDAA on July 26 before leaving Washington, D.C. for the August recess. The Senate is expected to pass the legislation sometime before the end of the year.
This legislation is a product from a congressional hearing where AGC members testified before the House Small Business Committee on change order delays and the impacts it has on federal construction contractors. The Senate is expected to pass the NDAA in the coming months.  Once signed into law, this new transparency requirement will need to go through the rulemaking process.
AGC continues to be at the forefront in advocating for greater accountability of the change order process among the various federal agencies.  AGC has previously called on the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council to improve the data federal agencies collect regarding the administration of change orders in response to the Council’s information request. AGC’s recommendations would require federal agencies to collect a range of data regarding the timeliness of action by the contracting officer to encourage greater accountability.
For more information, contact [email protected] or (703) 837-5368.

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Federal Agencies, Congress Tackle Endangered Species Act Reforms

Last week, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed streamlining updates to multiple sections of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  In addition, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is considering an AGC-supported discussion draft of a new bill to amend the Act.  AGC is optimistic the measured reforms in the proposals and in the discussion draft of the bill could lead to greater certainty in the permitting process, without compromising the success of threatened or endangered species.
The three regulatory proposals take some of the steps that AGC has recommended to streamline the Act.  For example, the proposals address the need to assess protections for threatened species individually, prioritize occupied habitat, and make efficiencies in the consultation process such as possible deadlines.  AGC will submit written responses in advance of the comment deadlines on September 24, 2018 (see Federal Register, July 25, 2018, for all three notices).
For more information, contact Melinda Tomaino at [email protected] or (703) 837-5415.

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President Signs Workforce Executive Order

AGC Participates in White House Event to Sign Job Training Pledge
On July 19, the President signed an Executive Order that establishes the President’s National Council for the America Worker. The council will help develop a national strategy for job training programs with guidance from an advisory board of private sector and government representatives to help ensure the programs being taught in classrooms and workplaces are needed. The EO also included a pledge by companies and associations to educate, train and upskill workers through apprenticeships and on-the-job training. AGC was among organizations signing the pledge through our existing AGC chapter training programs, AGC of America safety training and our other training programs.
For more information, contact Jim Young at [email protected] or (202) 547-0133.

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Highway, Transportation and Utility Construction Conference Highlights Key Market Issues

Registration is Open!
The major issues that will impact contractors involved in the highway, transportation and utility construction markets will be addressed as part of the Joint Contractors Conference scheduled for Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 in Crystal City, Virginia (DC area). Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has been invited to discuss President Trump’s infrastructure and regulatory reform agenda. Other issues covered will include:


  • Washington Outlook: Elections, Funding, Infrastructure, Regulatory Reform

  • Controlling the Shift in Ownership of Non-Traditional Risk

  • Robotics: The Next Big Innovation in Construction

  • New Developments in Tunneling Technology

  • AGC’s Underground Utility Damage Prevention Program

  • Challenges and Solutions Building Washington’s South Capitol Street Bridge

A special feature will be an interactive collaborative project with members of AGC’s Construction Leadership Council.
For more information and to register, visit http://meetings.agc.org/JCC/.

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Rep. Shuster Releases Highway Trust Fund/Infrastructure Proposal

Urge Congress to Take Action on Infrastructure
House Transportation and infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) released a Republican "discussion draft" for addressing the nation's infrastructure needs and, in particular, fixing the long term health of the Highway Trust Fund. Some of the ideas have come from existing proposals from the administration's infrastructure plan as well as members of Congress from both parties. Many of the plan’s elements have long-been supported by AGC. To help build support for the Shuster plan, please contact your Representative and ask them to support Chairman Shuster’s effort and act on an infrastructure bill.
Shuster said the intent of the proposal is to reignite the infrastructure conversation with the hope that infrastructure legislation will be released in the next Congress. Shuster is retiring from Congress at the end of this year. A summary of the plan’s details can be found here.
For more information, contact Brian Deery at [email protected] or (703) 837-5319.

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AGC’s Newest Podcast Episode Features Rep. Sam Graves

Discusses Funding Options for the Highway Trust Fund
In this edition of the ConstructorCast, Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) provides information on what the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit will be working on for the rest of the year. Graves explains the funding issue with the Highway Trust Fund and possible solutions.

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Join Us at the Next AGC/CFMA Construction Financial Management Conference

Jointly sponsored by AGC and CFMA, the 22nd Annual AGC/CFMA Construction Financial Management Conference will be held Oct. 24-26 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. This three-day conference offers programs and workshops designed specifically for financial professionals in the construction industry. The 34 interactive sessions will cover the latest industry issues and their financial implications. Participants may earn up to 20 continuing professional education (CPE) credits.

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Learn about Environmental Risks throughout the Project Lifecycle at AGC’s Construction Environmental Conference

Join us on September 12-13 in Crystal City, Virginia
AGC’s 2018 Construction Environmental Conference (CEC) homes in on the most critical environmental compliance and risk issues impacting the business of construction.  Whether your goal is to maintain an excellent compliance record, keep abreast of key developments, or increase your understanding of how environmental risks affect your projects — AGC’s CEC is the conference for you.
Explore these environmental risk sessions at AGC’s 2018 CEC:


  • Identifying, Avoiding, Mitigating, and Insuring Environmental Risk in Construction - Panel speakers will present risk assessment and identification from a jobsite perspective, risk allocation such as contract shifting clauses and management strategies, risk transfer such as avoidance of pollution liability and insurance products available.

  • Environmental Compliance for Hazardous Materials on a Public Private Partnership Project: CDOT Central 70 - Using the Colorado Department of Transportation Central 70 project as a backdrop, this panel will share owner and contractor perspectives related to management of hazardous materials during the procurement, kickoff, and construction phases of the project.

  • Examine Redevelopment Opportunities and Risk – Learn about recent changes to policy related to Superfund/Brownfields sites as well as the potential hazards in the reuse and redevelopment of those sites, such as vapor intrusion.

  • Tips on How to Avoid Environmental Enforcement Actions - Hear from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an attorney and a general contractor about “true story” construction related enforcement cases and best practices on how to avoid them. Learn about US EPA’s Audit Policy and eDisclosure portal.
Check out more sessions online and reserve your seat today for AGC's 2018 Construction Environmental Conference!

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Advanced Safety Management Training Course

October 17-19 in Arlington, VA, 18 Seats Left!
This unique three–day course provides construction safety and health professionals with the next–level knowledge required to successfully manage a company–wide safety program. Moving beyond the basics of Focus Four training, AGC’s Advanced Safety Management Training Program will give participants a more holistic view of safety’s role in project and company success, as well as advanced tactics and best practices for managing all aspects of a corporate safety program. Participants will also focus on the importance of "selling" safety throughout the organization and methods to generate buy–in from different audiences. Full details on the course and links to registration can be found here.

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