Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA) was joined by his colleague, Pete Stauber (R-MN), this week as they virtually participated in a kickoff event for the newly formed, bipartisan Construction Procurement Caucus (CPC). The CPC will serve as a forum for members to discuss ways to improve efficiency in the federal government procurement process with the goal of promoting commonsense design and construction services and procurement reforms to benefit the government, taxpayers, and businesses of all sizes.
The goals and objectives of the caucus are to: 1) simplify the federal construction services procurement process; 2) promote a competitive marketplace for federal construction services contract awards for businesses of any size; 3) support greater opportunities for businesses of any size in the federal marketplace; and 4) elevate procurement-related legislative opportunities.
Brian Pallasch noted, “The CPC will be a powerful ally when we fight to make sure the Brooks Act is followed, and make sure reverse auctions are disallowed.” Last year, IIBEC worked through Congressman David Price (D-NC) to write language requiring the General Services Administration to come into compliance with the Brooks Act. IIBEC also worked with members of the House and Senate to push through a prohibition on reverse auctions. “IIBEC will continue to protect the Brooks Act and fight misguided attempts to circumvent it, and we look forward to working with Congressmen Peters and Stauber when we do,” concluded Pallasch.
Congressman Pete Stauber
Congressman Scott Peters
John Boling, director of government relations, helped lead the American Society of Association Executives’ (ASAE’s) annual lobbying effort for 2021. The virtual effort focused on two bills that would positively impact IIBEC as well as the larger association sector. Boling arranged numerous meetings with senators and representatives during the week of April 19 to educate members and their staffs on these important bills.
The first bill, the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 2171 / S. 905), would allow workers to use 529 savings plans to cover costs associated with workforce training and qualified credentialing programs. If enacted, this could benefit individuals working to get and maintain IIBEC’s registrations.
The second bill would create a Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Program to compensate for business interruption losses and event cancellations resulting from future pandemics or public health emergencies.
Boling (right) discussed certification programs and the role they serve in the building enclosure sector with Senator Mark Warner’s education staffer Hayley Brower (left).
Serving as IIBEC’s Director of Government Relations, Boling works to advance Member’s policy interests in states, provinces, and the national levels. Please contact him at jboling@iibec.org.
