ASA’s Opposition to Section 232 Tariff Modifications

I wanted to share the letters regarding ASA’s urgent concern regarding the recent modifications to Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper, effective April 6. These changes impose duties of up to 25% on the full value of HVACR systems, including those produced with U.S.-origin metals, eliminating the exemption that supported domestic manufacturing.

These tariffs have immediate and severe consequences for our members who are small businesses in subcontractor construction and HVACR sectors. Many of them operate on narrow margins, and they cannot absorb these sudden cost increases. Homeowners, businesses, and public institutions rely on their services to maintain essential heating and cooling—services that directly affect safety and health, particularly during extreme weather.

We URGED the Administration to exempt HVACR equipment from the modified Section 232 tariff structure, consistent with the USMCA exemption framework. At a minimum, a 90-day delay in enforcement is essential to prevent contractors and consumers from being blindsided by these sudden cost spikes. Heating and cooling are not luxuries—they are essential services that protect public safety and ensure economic stability.

ASA members can call Mike Oscar with any questions.  Thank you!

Letter to Treasury Secretary re: 232 tariff modifications

Letter to Commerce Undersecretary re: 232 tariff modifications

Welcome Bobyard as New Silver Sponsor!

Bobyard is an AI-powered estimating and takeoff platform designed to support complex construction project plans. Developed by Stanford-trained computer scientists and initially developed for landscaping, Bobyard now supports a broader range of preconstruction trades, including MEP and HVAC.

Trained on thousands of real-world plans, Bobyard extracts quantities such as areas, linear measurements, counts, and system-specific components directly from project drawings. The platform is used by contractors and preconstruction teams to help estimators bid faster, improve accuracy, and reduce manual effort.

IEEPA Tariff Refunds

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that Phase 1 of its Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) process for refunding International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs began Monday, April 20, 2026. Phase 1 is limited and does not cover every type of IEEPA transaction.

CBP guidance on CAPE and Phase 1 refund submissions is available here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/4126a9c

Through the CAPE Claim Portal, only the importer of record (IOR) or its authorized broker(s) may request refunds by uploading a CSV file listing eligible entries. This process applies only to IEEPA-related tariffs and does not apply to Section 122, 232, or 301 tariffs (or other tariff programs).

Submissions will go through a validation process. Once validated, CAPE will remove IEEPA HTS numbers from covered entries, recalculate duties, and support liquidation or reliquidation without the IEEPA duties. Refunds will be routed through ACE’s collections module for payment, with potential interest where applicable.

Phase 1 focuses on basic transactions and will not cover all entries on which IEEPA tariffs were paid. At this time, CBP will accept CAPE declarations only for entries liquidated within the preceding 80 days, to align with CBP’s 90-day voluntary reliquidation period. CBP’s guidance suggests that “finally liquidated” entries may not be eligible for Phase 1 and may need to wait for a later phase.

In addition, CBP stated that the following categories of entries will not be accepted on a CAPE declaration during Phase 1:

• Entries flagged for reconciliation and Entry Type 09 – Reconciliation Summary entries
• Entries designated for drawback claims
• Entries covered by a protest
• Entries not filed in ACE and without a liquidation status in ACE
• Entries subject to antidumping and countervailing duties that have liquidation instructions

After CBP accepts a complete, validated CAPE refund declaration—and assuming no complicating issues—CBP estimates a 60- to 90-day review period even for straightforward transactions. Additional phases are expected, but CBP has not yet provided details on timing or scope.

Verizon Whole Office Management helps members simplify everyday IT challenges

Verizon Whole Office Management provides business-grade IT support for office technology and software. With a dedicated team of experts to help troubleshoot issues, set up devices and keep systems running smoothly—businesses get reliable support for the technology they depend on without needing in-house IT staff.

When members enroll their company with NPP, they gain access to this simple, predictable service with one team to call, one monthly bill and no long-term contracts. Plans start at $55/mo with no long-term contracts.

•         NPP landing page

ODP

More Products. More Value. Big Savings.

More products, more savings — your ASA ODP Savings Program just got an upgrade.

Even more of the items you purchase most are now included in your member‑exclusive pricing, giving you better everyday value across the essentials you rely on. Members now enjoy discounts up to 50% off ODP Business stocked items, with expanded savings on paper, ink, toner, breakroom supplies, facility products, technology, furniture and more.

Plus, your program includes convenient services that continue to support your needs like same‑day store pickup on eligible Print & Copy orders placed before 2:00 PM†, free local delivery on qualifying $30+ purchases, fast in‑store and curbside pickup in as little as 20 minutes and Subscribe & Save options that help ensure you never run out of necessities.

To get even more value, shop online for full program discounts, download the ODP Business Solutions mobile app for easy access on the go, and browse the your savings for coupons, clearance center deals and limited‑time offers. You can even scan items in store using the ODP app to see your member pricing instantly. Get it on Google Play >> | Download on the App Store >>

Explore Your New Benefits Portal Visit: www.1800members.com/asa

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Log into your ASA ODP Savings account to order.

Text ASAOD to 833-344-0228 to receive exclusive limited time offers.

City of St. Louis – Building Commissioner Position

Salary: $104,078 – $163,332

Job Type:  Full-Time (Permanent)

Location:  Downtown – St. Louis, MO

The Commissioner of Building Operations & Code Administration serves as the executive leader responsible for the City’s building regulatory, permitting, and inspection functions. This role is accountable for ensuring public safety through code compliance while advancing efficient, transparent, and customer-focused service delivery that supports economic development and community recovery in the May 16th tornado-impacted areas and across the city.

The City is seeking a transformational leader to join its team in this pivotal moment in history, to address its decades of blight, accelerate demolitions in the tornado zone, and reform the Division’s permitting process to make St. Louis a predictable and attractive place to do business.

The Commissioner will also lead the Zoning Section of the Building Division’s historic role in overhauling the City’s zoning code—the Zoning Upgrade: a modern code to meet the moment—marking the first major rewrite and map update since the mid-twentieth century.

The Commissioner operates as a division-level executive, overseeing strategy, operations, and performance across building code enforcement, plan review, permitting, and inspection services with a team of 200 employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Public Administration, or a directly related field, with Certified Building Code Official (CBO) status; OR a Master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Public Administration, or a directly related; plus five years of experience managing building code enforcement at a senior management level; OR

Registration as a Professional Architect in the State of Missouri; OR Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Missouri. OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. (Pursuant to 25.103.2.1 of the City’s Revised Codes.)

Scoring Components and Their Weights

Experience and Training: 100%

May be Subject to:
Background Investigation: Pass/Fail
Medical Examination: Pass/Fail
Documentation of Academic Credentials must be Submitted Upon Request

More information