Federal contractors may be subject to several new rules in 2015 that impact how they are selected for contracts and how they do business with the federal government.
Among the recent proposals is one stemming from a presidential executive order that instructs bureaucrats to determine whether a business is responsible enough to receive a federal contract based on a review of each company’s recent compliance history with labor and safety laws. Contractors would have to disclose any violations of 14 federal and equivalent state and local workplace laws committed within the past three years when competing for and completing federal contracts worth more than $500,000.
A proposal would prohibit federal contractors from retaliating against employees who discuss their compensation with fellow employees. Another proposed rule would require contractors and subcontractors to submit USDOL summary data on compensation paid to their employees, including data by sex and race.
One proposed rule applies specifically to the construction industry and their hiring practices regarding individuals with disabilities and veterans.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
U.S. House scuttles EPA plan to expand definition of waters in Clean Water Act
Construction industry officials said the rule would hamper developers, cost jobs.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
First EPD covering PVC water and wastewater piping published
Benchmarks impacts of seven PVC pipe products across their life cycles.
Office Buildings | May 18, 2015
New ASHRAE standard offers test method to determine heat gain of office equipment
The standard will aid engineers in configuring cooling systems in office buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Widespread damage from Nepal earthquake due to poor implementation of building code
Nepal’s code author says destruction was ‘inevitable.’
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Lavish residential skyscrapers prompt concern over shadows
New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston among cities grappling with height regulations.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Several states moving to repeal prevailing wage laws
Anti-prevailing wage bills that apply to state-funded construction projects have been passed in West Virginia and Nevada. Similar laws could be passed in Indiana and Illinois.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
New OSHA rule aimed at protecting construction workers in confined spaces
The agency says the rule will protect about 800 workers a year from serious injury.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2015
Colorado House kills construction defects bill
The legislation would have made it harder for condo owners to sue builders.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2015
New energy efficiency program, Tenant Star, gets OK from Congress
The voluntary program for commercial and government buildings is modeled after Energy Star.
Smart Buildings | May 1, 2015
FEMA to require states to evaluate risks posed by climate change
The aim is for states to do a better job planning for natural disasters they are likely to face in a warming world.