A recent audit of Washington, D.C.’s First Source mandate that requires local workers be given employment preference on construction projects funded with tax dollars shows that the requirement is not being met.
According to a report in the Washington Times, contractors and developers are not meeting program guidelines, and that the Department of Employment Services (DOES) is not making sure that companies are in compliance. Companies constructing projects of $300,000 to $5 million are required to hire 51% local residents.
On projects valued at more than $5 million, contractors must meet a higher percentage of local workers in multiple categories. Construction industry groups say the program paperwork is too burdensome. They also contend there is a shortage of skilled workers within the District.
Lack of affordable housing is forcing the First Source-qualified employees that once lived in D.C. to move to the suburbs, contractors say.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 13, 2020
Design competition focuses on reducing urban heat island effect
Cool Abu Dhabi aims to transform urban life in the Middle East.
Codes and Standards | Apr 13, 2020
What building science says about reducing COVID-19 transmission
Impact of temperature and relative humidity is unclear.
Codes and Standards | Apr 9, 2020
Owners retrofitting properties, monitoring performance during epidemic
Covid-19 outbreak may lead employers to reevaluate office commitments.
Codes and Standards | Apr 7, 2020
Dept. of Labor publishes guidance on paid sick leave, expanded family and medical leave
Includes fact sheets for employees, employers, and a questions and answers document.
Codes and Standards | Apr 1, 2020
Standards and codes meetings halted, postponed
ASTM International cancels in-person standards meetings; DOE’s National Energy Codes Conference postponed.
Codes and Standards | Mar 26, 2020
Ransomware attack on Canadian contractor underscores need for cybersecurity
Victimized company Bird Construction has defense, law enforcement contracts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2020
Contractors should scrutinize contracts carefully amid Covid-19 crisis
Compliance with time-sensitive notice requirements and careful documentation required.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2020
Florida legislature passes bill to reduce retainage on state and local projects
House and Senate vote is nearly unanimous; law would go into effect Oct. 1.
Codes and Standards | Mar 20, 2020
Feds prod use of eminent domain to force people out of flood-prone homes
Local officials that don’t comply could lose federal money to combat climate change.
Codes and Standards | Mar 19, 2020
ASHRAE provides COVID-19 resources for operating, maintaining HVAC systems
Includes recently approved position document on Airborne Infectious Diseases.
