The $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) included the “Build America, Buy America Act” which applies a domestic preference to all taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects. The Office of Management and Budget released new guidance on these rules on April 18th, 2022. The new guidelines are meant to assist federal agencies in the application of “Buy America” requirements and the waiver processes for all federally funded infrastructure projects and not just those funded by the IIJA. The requirements are currently set to be in effect starting May 14th.
Most Contractors Report Significant Flaws with 811 Utility Location System
There are significant flaws with the current 811 utility location system according to a new survey of construction firms that perform any kind of underground excavation released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Most contractors say that calling 811 often leads to inaccurate line marking and that utility firms are often very slow in coming out to even do locate and mark their underground lines.
Help Us Generate a Comprehensive Outlook for 2022 by Taking the Survey Today
The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of the Bipartisan Infrastructure measure:
Apply by Wednesday, October 20, 2021!
Please take a moment to participate in this important 811 Safety and Utility Damage Prevention Process Survey. Survey DEADLINE September 10. This survey is intended to document the experience in the 811 process of contractors that work on water/wastewater, highway heavy, building, telecom, and energy infrastructure projects. “As local, state and federal entities address issues, laws, and regulations associated with the 811 process, this survey will be an invaluable tool in helping to accurately convey the construction industry’s story in the process,” states Randy Douglas, AGC’s Utility Infrastructure Division Chair and President of Tierra Contracting, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, “I encourage everyone to take it and share with your project managers, foreman, superintendents and fellow contractors.”
The survey will close on September 10
Each year the AGC Education and Research Foundation offers undergraduate and graduate level scholarships to students enrolled in ABET or ACCE accredited construction management or construction related engineering programs. The application opened July 1, 2021 and closes November 1, 2021.
On June 23, Democratic House Leadership announced it will attach $168 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure legislation to the $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill for a vote on the House floor the week of June 28.