As we begin 2026, I want to thank each of you for the work you do every day—building projects safely, meeting demanding schedules, and delivering quality in an environment that rarely gets easier. A new year offers an opportunity to recommit to what makes ASA strong: standing together, sharing practical solutions, and protecting subcontractors’ ability to compete and operate fairly.

We also extend a warm welcome to the new members who joined ASA in December. We’re glad to have you with us.

One encouraging development to start the year is a significant legal win for subcontractors in Third Coast Services, LLC & SpawGlass Civil Construction, Inc. v. Castaneda. In a decision issued December 12, 2025, the Supreme Court of Texas held that statutory immunity under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 97.002 does not require direct contractual privity with TxDOT. This means subcontractors can still qualify for the statute’s protections when performing work “for” TxDOT on state highway projects—even when the contractual relationship runs through a county or other public entity.

This clarification is meaningful. It helps reduce the risk that subcontractors are drawn into costly litigation while performing work under public specifications and oversight. ASA’s Subcontractors Legal Defense Fund supported this effort through amicus briefing, reflecting the type of advocacy that protects subcontractors well beyond any single project or jobsite. Continued support of the Fund is critical to sustaining this work on behalf of subcontractors nationwide.

This issue focuses on supply chain challenges and procurement strategies—topics that will define competitiveness in 2026. Price volatility, extended lead times, and uneven material availability continue to affect labor planning and project execution. The articles and tools included are intended to help strengthen your preconstruction approach: qualifying vendors early, clearly documenting substitutions, setting realistic lead-time assumptions, and building procurement schedules that support field operations—not the other way around.

Thank you for your membership, your expertise, and your voice. Let’s make this year about smarter planning, stronger protections, and a more stable marketplace for subcontractors.

Sincerely,

Andrew Christ
President, ASA | 2025–2026