Michigan Panel Passes IIBEC-Backed QBS Bill June 23, 2024 On June 18, 2024, a Michigan legislative panel approved legislation that would expand the use of qualifications-based selection (QBS) for the selection of architect and engineering design (A/E/D) professionals, sending it to the full House for a vote. Read More
IIBEC Opposition Helps Defeat Anti-QBS Bill in Illinois June 09, 2024 IIBEC, in conjunction with other design and construction groups, succeeded in killing legislation in Illinois that would sidestep the qualifications-based selection (QBS) of architects, engineers, and design professionals. Introduced in the Illinois state senate in late April, S. 3932 would have amended the state procurement code to allow state agencies and school districts to use job order contracting (cooperative purchasing) to procure construction services—which, as defined in the bill, include architecture/engineering/design services. Read More
IIBEC Signs Coalition Letters Supporting Building Codes May 30, 2024 During the past month, IIBEC signed two coalition letters in support of building codes that were sent to US congressional committees. Read More
Seen A Questionable Public Tender? Let Us Know! April 02, 2024 During the 2024 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show, the Advocacy Committee approved a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that will be posted later this spring. One of the FAQ answers provides members with guidance on steps to take when they see a questionable tender (i.e., an RFP or RFQ). The FAQ, which will be placed in “Advocacy” area of iibec.org, encourages members to send questionable tenders to [email protected], along with a brief explanation as to why they believe the tender is questionable. Read More
Technical Advisory No. 24, 2024: Demolition and Restoration of Cavity Wall Constructions After Extreme Weather Events Resulting in Flooding March 21, 2024 To provide an informative advisory regarding remediation and corrective measures after extreme weather events resulting in flooding of exterior cavity wall construction comprised of exterior sheathing, weather-resistive barrier, and exterior cladding. Read More
Department of Labor Expands Injury, Illness Reporting Requirement for Certain Large Employers December 10, 2023 The Department of Labor recently announced a new rule that requires large employers in high-hazard industries like construction to electronically submit injury and illness data. The final rule takes effect January 1, 2024. Specifically, the rule requires businesses with 100 or more employees in designated industries to submit case-specific information from the OSHA Form 300 Log and the OSHA Form 301 Incident Report. The data must be electronically submitted through OSHA's Injury Tracking Application. (Determine if your company is required to report these data and read more about recordkeeping and the injury tracking application.) Read More
IIBEC Promotes the Use of Consultants in Pennsylvania Bill Pushing Solar on Schools October 25, 2023 IIBEC recently commented on legislation advancing through the Pennsylvania state legislature that is designed to promote the installation of solar panels on school roofs . HB 1032, introduced by state representative Elizabeth Fiedler, would establish the Solar for Schools Grant Program to expand the use of solar energy at school facilities across the commonwealth. Read More
IIBEC Sends Letter Outlining Role of Consultants to NJ Cooperative Purchasing Entity September 08, 2023 On September 5, 2023, IIBEC sent a letter to the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey outlining best practices when procuring construction design services. The letter was a result of an attentive member who looked into the project, realized that a consultant would have done it better, and alerted IIBEC. In its letter IIBEC outlined three practices that the cooperative purchasing group needed to follow. Read More
North Carolina Republicans Override Veto of Bill Overhauling Construction Code Commission August 25, 2023 On August 16, 2023, North Carolina Republicans flexed their legislative supermajority muscles and created six new laws by overriding Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s vetoes of those bills. Of the six bills, House Bill 488 reformed the way construction codes are developed. H.B. 488, backed by the North Carolina Home Builders Association, was opposed by many other construction, design, safety, and environmental organizations. IIBEC sent a letter to every member of the North Carolina legislature urging them to let the veto stand and take up the reform effort again in the next session. Read More
IIBEC Testimony Calls for Changes to Bill Promoting Solar-Panel Installation at Schools July 19, 2023 On July 17, 2023, IIBEC submitted to a Massachusetts state legislative panel testimony recommending changes to a bill under consideration that would promote installing solar panels on the roofs of eligible schools. The bill, S. 2127, was the subject of a hearing by the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. The proposed legislation would create the Healthy and Sustainable Schools Office, which would coordinate an energy audit of all public schools and then, based on the metrics in the bill, implement the recommended energy efficiency improvements and install renewable energy systems on or near school property. Read More
