U.S. Department of Transportation Awards $450 Million in Grant Funding for Port-Related Projects

On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, the U.S. Transportation Department awarded $450 million in grants for port-related projects to bolster capacity and improve the movement of goods as the U.S. economy continues to be affected by congested supply chains.  Applicants must show that their projects would improve the movement of goods through ports and comply with Biden administration goals on issues such as climate change, racial and gender equity and policies to promote building and buying domestically.  Applications are due May 16th, with awards expected to be announced in the fall. This is the largest ever investment in the Port Infrastructure Development Program, nearly double last year’s investment. Currently, $100 billion in awards from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been announced with about $50 billion distributed through a program for states to deploy themselves.

ASA DC Metro Supports: No “Pay if Paid” In Virginia for One Year

Congratulations to Ike Casey and ASA DC Metro Chapter for their advocacy efforts in support of legislation to make “pay if paid” clauses in your subcontracts on Virginia construction not enforceable if it passes the full House of Delegates. To date, the legislation passed the House Committee on General Laws, and getting through this committee is a major hurdle that assures final passage. Per Ike, “Chad Gill with Concreate again did a great job explaining the issue, and William Roberts with JE Liesfeld did a majority of the work to get legislators on board.”

Per Ike, “there is no law in DC or MD that expresses exactly what we are trying to do in Virginia. DC Code 27-137 is pretty close, but not explicit.  Conditions of payment may not waive the right of the sub to file mechanics lien or sue on bond.  MD Code 9-113 specifically mentions Condition Payment will not prevent collection from other sources such as an owner or bond.” Read more in this month’s Always Something Awesome segment.

A Congressional Welcome to the 2022 SUBExcel

Sens. Rubio (R-FL) and Scott (R-FL), along with Rep. Steube (R-FL), welcomed the 2022 SUBExcel in Miramar Beach, FL.  SUBExcel is the annual national convention of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA), a trade association representing construction subcontractors, specialty trade contractors and suppliers.  At this year’s SUBExcel, ASA’s Government Relations Committee highlighted their legislative priorities including:

• Workforce Development
  • Apprenticeship Funding Opportunities
  • Prevent the Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors
• Federal Tax Reform
  • Make the Pass-Through Deduction Permanent to Ensure Certainty and Predictability
  • Maximize the Value and Integrity of the New Deduction for Pass-Through Businesses
  • Repeal the Estate Tax
  • Repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax
  • Make Remaining Tax Extenders Permanent
• Contracting Reform
  • Establish a statute of repose for federal construction projects
  • Ensure payment protections for construction subcontractors and suppliers performing federal construction under Public-Private Partnerships
  • Prohibit the utilization of reverse auctions for the procurement of construction contracts
  • Improve the design-build construction process
  • Ensure responsible contractors are given priority in the bidding process of federal contracts

ASA Honors the Life of Jesse Pickett Jr.

It is with sadness that we share that Jesse Malcolm Pickett Jr, ASA President from 1986-1987, passed away on February 13th, 2022 at his home in Dallas, TX.  He lived to the beautiful age of 96 years, and his family shares that he passed peacefully and without pain.

Active in his industry, he was a Past President of the Iron League of Chicago, Past President of Northeastern Subcontractors Association, Past President of American Subcontractors Association (Washington, D.C.), and Past President of ASA Foundation (Washington, D.C.). He was nominated for ‘Contractor of the Year’ award in 1988, by Engineering News-Record. Appointed by his Congressman, he was a Delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business in 1986, and received ASA’s John H. Hampshire Award in 1989. He served as Elder, Trustee, and Deacon in several Presbyterian Churches. Jesse was a Master Mason, and member of Hella Shrine in Garland.

Jesse’s full obituary can be found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/10585696