The General Services Administration was assigned $5.5 billion worth of construction projects under the Recovery Act – of that, more than a half billion dollars has been saved and is set to be redistributed to other very necessary federal projects.

The leading indicator of nonresidential construction activity, the U.S. architecture billings released by the American Institute of Architects, was up more than 2 points in December, taking the reading from 52.0 to 54.2. Any reading over 50 is said to indicate expansion 9 to 12 months in the future.

Join your colleagues March 21-25, 2011 in Las Vegas for AGC of America's 92nd Annual Convention.  AGC’s Annual Convention delivers the working knowledge contractors need to improve operations, expand into new markets and build their business. 

Based on the Construction State Law Matrix, AGC has updated maps showing which states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, permit Construction Management At-Risk (i.e. CMAR, CM At-Risk, CM@R, CM/GC, GC/CM, CMc) under state law for vertical and horizontal construction projects.  Click here to view this free resource.

Originally written in 1999, a task force of AGC members updated and completed the AGC Guide to Construction Financing-Second Edition (PDF).  This 26-page publication clearly explains the construction financing process and points out some of the opportunities and pitfalls for the contractor. It is intended to serve a reference to get contractors thinking about the risks associated with project financing.

www.ConsensusDOCS.orgConsensusDOCS offers a variety of free resources to help you conduct business, including detailed information on project delivery options and sample contracts.Articles - a variety of topics are covered including IPD, BIM, green building, federal subcontracting and much more, with new additions on a regular basisComparison Matrix - ConsensusDOCS/AIA/AGC, helps you convert from AGC or AIA documents to ensure you get the proper ConsensusDOCS documentConsensusDOCS Guidebook - assists you with completing contract documentsContract Catalog and Product Brochure - helps you determine the proper contract documents for your projectCopyright Licenses - provides you with free use of ConsensusDOCS for educational purposesExcerpted Sample Contracts - for complete samples email Info@ConsensusDOCS.orgLegal Comparisons - articles and matrices that compare ConsensusDOCS, AIA and EJCDC contract clausesOwners Brochure - helps you inform Owners why their project needs ConsensusDOCSPodcasts/Audio Recordings - issues include Green Building, Federal Subcontracting, Subsubcontracting, with more to comePress Releases - so you know the latest news from ConsensusDOCSVisit the ConsensusDOCS Web site to download these free resources and more at www.ConsensusDOCS.org.ConsensusDOCS are the only standard contract documents written by a coalition of 28 leading construction industry associations, including The Associated General Contractors of America.AGC members receive a 20% discount on all ConsensusDOCS products.  Purchase at www.ConsensusDOCS.org and use Partner Code "AGC" and Promotion Code "100".For more information, contact Megan McGarvey at (703) 837-5369 or mcgarveym@agc.org.

The ConsensusDOCS 725 - Agreement Between Subcontractor and Subsubcontractor is the only standard subsubcontract available.  Rather than simply using a purchase order or trying to alter a subcontract, the ConsensusDOCS 725 was specifically designed to address the unique characteristics of subsubcontracting.  This straightforward, six-page agreement provides an ideal base for the somewhat simpler subsubcontracting relationship.  It includes essential provisions addressing issues such as safety, change orders, payment, indemnity and much more.  It coordinates important flow-down clauses and incorporates similar terms to upstream agreements.  The ConsensusDOCS 725 also contains flexible provisions for the incorporation of exhibits to address scope of work, schedule, insurance and other subjects.While modified to address the special needs of subsubcontracting, the new subsubcontract document is still based upon the risk allocation philosophy found in the rest of the ConsensusDOCS family.  The ConsensusDOCS subsubcontracting agreement, as well as every document in the ConsensusDOCS family, was developed through a collaborative effort of a team of professionals representing every part of the construction process, including designers, owners, contractors, subcontractors and surety professionals.  ConsensusDOCS are the only standard contracts written by a coalition of 28 leading industry associations, including AGC.All project stakeholders affected, directly or indirectly, by subsubcontracting practices would benefit in using the new ConsensusDOCS 725 Standard Subsubcontract Agreement.All AGC members receive a 20% discount on all ConsensusDOCS documents.  Purchase at www.ConsensusDOCS.org and use Partner Code "AGC" and Promotion Code "100".For more information, contact Megan McGarvey at (703) 837-5369 or mcgarveym@agc.org.

The 2011 AGC Building Contractors Conference will be held September 21-24, 2011 at the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas.  Registration will open in Spring 2011.  Don't forget to mark these dates down on your calendar

Free DownloadsThe ConsensusDOCS Guidebooks have been updated and are available as free downloads at http://consensusdocs.org/catalog/consensusdocs-guidebook/.The Guidebooks include comments from individual associations to its own membership on specific contract documents, highlighting provisions and alerting members to special requirements.  The overview sections highlight issues and innovative features of the documents in general.ConsensusDOCS contracts covered in the release of this Guidebook (others will be added later) include the following, and appear in the following order:  200; 200.1; 200.2; 205; 220; 221; 235; 240; 300; 301; 410; 415; 500; 510; 710; 750; 752 and 803; and the bond forms collectively.ConsensusDOCS are the only standard contract documents written by a coalition of 28 leading construction industry associations, including The Associated General Contractors of America.AGC members receive a 20% discount on all ConsensusDOCS products.  Purchase at www.ConsensusDOCS.org and use Partner Code "AGC" and Promotion Code "100".For more information, contact Megan McGarvey at (703) 837-5369 or mcgarveym@agc.org.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new "guidance" materials on the practices a contractor "should" follow when conducting the renovation, repair and/or abatement of buildings that have polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-containing caulk. Contractors responsible for such activities also must clearly understand the regulatory requirements, and are encouraged to consult the EPA or environmental professionals experienced with PCB cleanup activities.EPA has learned that caulk containing PCBs was used in many buildings, including schools, during building construction, renovation or repair from the 1950s through the late 1970s. PCBs are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which gives EPA the authority to develop, implement and enforce rules concerning the use, manufacture, cleanup and disposal of PCBs.  Note that EPA does not address worker health and safety or workplace exposure; such matters are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).The PCB regulations (40 CFR Part 302 and Part 761 can be found at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov under "Title 40 - Protection of the Environment") define the "generator" as being responsible managing PCB wastes. The "generator" is considered the party that owns the material. For most construction projects, multiple parties will be involved; all may be liable if the PCB-related requirements are not followed. Currently, EPA is conducting research on how the public is exposed to PCBs in caulk and on the best approaches for reducing exposure and potential risks associated with PCBs in caulk.  Earlier this year, EPA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that proposes measures to more strictly regulate PCBs and accelerate the phase-out of PCB equipment and other uses that are currently authorized.For more information on PCBs, including cleanup requirements, sources of PCBs, and EPA resources and future rule-making, please click here or contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org.