AGC Takes Action through Congress to Prevent Removal and Begins Dialogue with Army
The Department of the Army recently issued a final rule (via memorandum) to the Army Federal Acquisition Regulation that, if implemented, would remove contracting authority from about 400 engineers within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The rule would remove construction experts from having the authority to make construction contracting decisions for the safe and efficient construction of everything from barracks that house and protect our soldiers to the levees and dams that guard millions of Americans from floods. The Army issued this rule without providing for any public comment and claims that such a rule will not impact the contracting industry. Ultimately, the Army is seeking to move all contracting activities, including the procurement of construction through USACE, within the Army Contracting Command.
At the urging of AGC, Representatives Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) sent the Army a letter calling for implementation of this rule to cease and to allow for further oversight of, and comment on, an otherwise behind-closed-doors rulemaking process. AGC has also begun discussions with the Army and will meet with Army Deputy Assistant Secretary of Procurement shortly on the need to keep contracting authority within USACE.
For more information, please contact Jimmy Christianson at 703-837-5325 orchristiansonj@agc.org. Return to Top