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News

NECA Legislative Top Three 8/16/19: Government Watchdog Watching Contract Changes

Aug 15, 2019

1. GAO Issues Study on Contract Change Practices with GSA and USACE

Following NECA’s participation in multiple congressional hearings on the matter, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a study in 2018 to determine the practice of contract changes and their administration at two main government agencies, namely the Government Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The recently completed study, which focused on the length of time for processing contract changes and how extensively these particular agencies monitor them, revealed rather troubling information.

NECA’s Look Ahead: The full report identified two main findings and two subsequent recommendations. The findings were as follows: (1) the USACE completes a majority of their contract changes under a 60-day threshold, and (2) the GSA maintains little to no record of the time spent for finalizing these contract changes. The GAO then recommended: (1) the GSA develop a strategy “to routinely collect information on and monitor the time frames for finalizing construction contract changes,” and (2) the USACE expand on its existing data collection to further understand the process and finalization time for contract changes. NECA applauds the GAO’s work in showing the desperate lack of knowledge behind a process that hinders our contractors on a daily basis. We will continue to work with agency officials towards bettering contracting processes for all parties involved.

2. Deputy Administrator of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Resigns

This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the resignation of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Deputy Administrator Heidi King.

NECA’s Look Ahead: Deputy Administrator Heidi King has been the agency’s de-facto leader since being appointed deputy administrator in 2017. Although Administrator King was nominated to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, she never received a confirmation vote of the full Senate. Steven Bradbury, DOT’s general counsel, has been named acting deputy secretary of the DOT, in addition to his current role. DOT Deputy General Counsel James Owens was named as King’s replacement and will serve as acting NHTSA administrator. NECA looks forward to continuing to work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on issues critical to the electrical contacting industry.

3. Register Today for the NECA NextGen Fly-In—Capped at 25 Attendees! 

If YOU or someone in your company are an emerging leader ready to advocate for the electrical contracting industry, join us in Washington, D.C. on October 16-17, 2019 for the NECA NextGen Fly-In! This annual meeting is the premiere legislative conference for the next generation of electrical contractors and emerging company leaders to learn about the top issues affecting the industry and to meet the leaders who are working to provide real solutions.

NECA’s Look Ahead: This conference is about policy, not partisanship. Accordingly, leading members from both sides of the political aisle will be on hand to brief participants on the latest happenings on Capitol Hill and to engage in robust policy discussions to ensure that YOUR voice is heard during the policy making process. Register Today!