The FY 2018 federal government funding bill provides good news for direct federal contractors.  Specifically, Army, Navy and Air Force military construction accounts would each see increases under the proposal compared to the previous fiscal year. The funding bill provides a total of $10.1 billion – an increase of $2.4 billion or roughly a 31 percent – for military construction over FY 2017 levels.  The bill also provides $1.4 billion to fund construction and maintenance for military family housing.
Turning to the Army Corps’ Civil Works Program, the funding bill would provide $6.83 billion, an increase of $789 million from FY 2017 appropriated funding, and a 36 percent increase above the president’s FY 2018 budget request.  The Construction account is allocated $2.085 billion, more than a doubling the president’s budget request. Additionally, the bill would allot $1.4 billion in funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and full use of estimated annual revenues from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, with at least $399 million for use on navigation projects in FY 2018.
Overall, construction funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) remain flat, slightly below FY 2017 levels.  The VA’s major and minor construction accounts would receive $855 million--$512 million for major construction and $343 million for minor construction.  General Services Administration receives roughly $700 million for the agency’s construction accounts.
For more information, contact Jordan Howard at [email protected]

The FY 2018 federal government funding bill includes AGC-backed increases in investment for highway, transit and aviation construction. The bill largely provides funding at FAST Act-authorized levels from the Highway Trust Fund. In addition, the bill appropriates $4.4 billion from the general fund for programs that already receive trust fund dollars.
The agreement includes funding as follows:

• Fully funds FAST Act-authorized funding for the Federal-aid highway program, an increase of $900 million over FY 2017.


• An additional $2.565 billion for federal-aid highway funding (from the general fund). The biggest portion of this amount—$1.98 billion—will be distributed to states only for highway and bridge projects under the existing formula; $225 million goes to a new bridge program for rural states (almost half of the states qualify); $15.8 million is for Puerto Rico Highways; $4.2 million goes to other territories; and $300 million for Federal and tribal lands.


• $1.5 billion for TIGER Grant Program, which was funded at $500 million in FY 2017.


• Fully funds FAST Act-authorized funding of $9.733 billion for mass transit formula grants, signifying no increase from the FY 2017 level.


• An additional $834 million from the general fund for transit formula grants.


• Provides $2.645 billion in funding for the transit New Start Capital Grant program, which funds ongoing transit projects with full funding grant agreements. An additional $232 million is provided for full funding grant agreements for new transit projects.


• $4.35 billion for the Airport Improvement Program, an increase of $1 billion from FY 2017.


• $25 million in additional funds for the Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) program for credit subsidies.

The bill does not include an increase in the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) from the current cap of $4.50. The PFC, levied on airline tickets, is used for airport capital construction projects. The Senate appropriations bill had proposed an increase of $4.00 in the cap.
For more information, contact Brian Deery at [email protected].

On March 21, congressional leaders unveiled a funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 2018 that includes at least $10 billion in additional infrastructure investment—compared to FY 2017 and promised in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018—for roads, bridges, mass transit, airports, ports, flood control, drinking water and waste water facilities, military construction, low income housing construction and more. To view summaries of the various pieces of this legislation, click here and here.
As of publication, the House passed the funding measure on a 256-167 vote and the Senate is expected to do the same before March 24, or otherwise risk shutting down the government for the third time in three months. AGC called on thousands of its social media grassroots supporters to urge Congress to keep its $10 billion infrastructure investment promise.  AGC pushed for Congress to pass the bill; however, the association also noted the litany of critical construction issues that remain unresolved by this bill and Congress, including but not limited to the need for long-term infrastructure funding, border security and immigration reform, and multiemployer pension reform. AGC will provide more details on this FY 2018 funding bill as it continues its review of the legislation.
For more information, contact Jimmy Christianson at [email protected]. 

The 17th Annual Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Legislative Fly-In in Washington, D.C., scheduled for May 15-16, 2018, is well-timed to provide an opportunity to meet with your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators on the need for a robust, long-term infrastructure bill. At the TCC legislative briefing you will receive information about what policy and funding proposals are being considered.
You will hear from key policy makers from Capitol Hill and the Administration and receive educational briefing materials on key industry priorities for your use in meeting with your congressional delegation. The Fly-In's reception will also provide you an opportunity to network with your industry peers and members of Congress and their staff.
For more information, contact Brian Deery at [email protected] or (703) 837-5319.

May 1-3 in Arlington, Va.

On March 15, leaders of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) unveiled a list of civil works construction projects for congressional approval as Congress continues work on the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). WRDA 2018 would authorize new USACE projects for ports, levees, and key restoration efforts, among others. AGC met with key congressional offices this week to press for the construction industry’s priorities in WRDA. AGC testified before the House of Representatives on WRDA earlier this year.
For more information, contact Jordan Howard at [email protected] or (703) 837-5368.

On March 15, leaders of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) unveiled a list of civil works construction projects for congressional approval as Congress continues work on the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). WRDA 2018 would authorize new USACE projects for ports, levees, and key restoration efforts, among others. AGC met with key congressional offices this week to press for the construction industry’s priorities in WRDA. AGC testified before the House of Representatives on WRDA earlier this year.
For more information, contact Jordan Howard at [email protected] or (703) 837-5368.

AGC-Backed Coalitions Tell Congress: America Can’t Afford Your Delays
The AGC-backed Transportation ConstructionCoalition and Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition joined forces behind a television and digital advertising campaign underway todraw attention to the need for a robust infrastructure package. Included in the campaign is a 30-second television spot airing on Fox & Friends and Morning Joe on the White House cable system.
Digital ads will geo-target Capitol Hill and other policy influencers in Washington, D.C. AGC members and chapters are encouraged to use the ads through their social media platforms and review the coalitions’ press release. AGC members should also continue contact their members of Congress directly to urge them to take action now on substantial, long-term infrastructure legislation.
For more information, contact Brian Deery at [email protected] or (703) 837-5319.

May 15-16 in Washington, D.C.
With the release of President Trump’s infrastructure proposal it is not up to Congress to take action on legislation to address the nation’s very large infrastructure funding gap. Now may be the best opportunity in decades to fix the Highway Trust Fund’s annual revenue shortfall and increase its investment potential. The construction industry's involvement in shaping the debate on the development and enactment of infrastructure legislation is vitally important to its success. Your senators and representatives need to hear from you.
The 17th Annual Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Legislative Fly-In, scheduled for May 15-16, 2018, is well-timed to provide an opportunity for that input. At the TCC legislative briefing you will receive information about what policy and funding proposals are being considered. You will hear from key policy makers from Capitol Hill and the Administration and receive educational briefing materials on key industry priorities for your use in meeting with your congressional delegation. The Fly-In's reception will also provide you an opportunity to network with your industry peers and members of Congress and their staff.
For more information, contact Brian Deery at [email protected] or (703) 837-5319.

May 1-3 in Arlington, Va.
The difference between AGC’s Federal Contractors Conference and other federal construction meetings is that at AGC’s FedCon construction contractor attendees drive the agenda. For this year’s conference—held May 1-3 at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City, VA—AGC is currently seeking your questions for consideration in meetings with headquarters leaders of the federal agencies.
Click on the agency to see our draft agendas for their session and send AGC your comments.

• Army Corps of Engineers


• Naval Facility Engineering Command


• General Services Administration


• Department of Veterans Affairs


• Small Business Administration


• Air Force Civil Engineer Center


• Natural Resources Conservation Service


• International Construction


• Bureau of Reclamation

At AGC’s Federal Contractors Conference, construction contractor attendees lead the meetings and develop questions for federal agencies. There are robust discussions between attendees and federal agency representatives; not death by PowerPoint presentations.
In addition, learning about the latest projects and policies set to hit the street, AGC’s Federal Contractors Conference provides an opportunity to address problems the construction industry faces when working for USACE, including but not limited to: project delays, change orders, requests for equitable adjustments, claims, past performance evaluations and more.
To register for AGC’s FedCon, click here.