On a weekly basis AGC of America provides 6-8 different electronic newsletters reaching different needs of members.  Most of you probably do not get all of them.  If you do, you may not have time to review all of them.  After reviewing all of the publication for the last week, listed below are that may be of interest to most of you.

Upcoming Federal Contracting Webinar Series

Due to the changing landscape in Federal Contracting, it is more important than ever that contractors -- those experienced in Federal work or those looking to move into the this market -- are aware of the ramifications of the new administration, rule and regulation updates, and the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on the Federal contracting process. This webinar series will provide an overview of the existing process and walk attendees through the evolution Federal contracting.

Webinars will take place on successive Thursdays from 1:30 – 3:00 pm EDT:
5/21 - The New and Old of Federal Contracting
5/28 - The Contract Award Process 
6/4 - How to Handle Claims and Disputes
6/11 - The Recovery Act
Learn more about the webinar series or register here.

House Approves Legislation to Modernize and Green America’s Schools

On May 14, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation to modernize, upgrade and green America’s schools by a vote of 275-155. The 21st Century Green High Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 2187) invests billions of dollars in school repair and renovation projects that would create safer, healthier and more energy-efficient learning environments for students....Click here to read full article 

Prepare Now to Meet EPA's Training and Certification Requirements for Lead-Based Paint Work

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new "Renovation, Repair, and Painting" program requires contractors who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities to be certified and to follow specific lead-safe work practices by April 2010.  The agency recently announced that it has begun to review and accredit training providers to conduct the courses that contractors covered by the lead rules are required to complete.  Such contractors should start planning now in order to meet the upcoming compliance dates; EPA expects training opportunities to begin in summer 2009....Click here to read full article 

DHS to Focus on Prosecuting Employers Who Hire Illegal Workers

On April 30, 2009, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a shift in its workforce enforcement priorities from the prosecution of illegal aliens working in the United States to the prosecution of employers who knowingly hire them.  According to a fact sheet distributed by DHS, only 135 of 6,000 arrests related to worksite enforcement in 2008 were employers.  As a result, DHS issued new guidelines to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with instructions to immediately "focus its resources in the worksite enforcement program on the criminal prosecution of employers who knowingly hire illegal workers in order to target the root cause of illegal immigration."...Click here to read full article 

Federal Contractor E-Verify Rule Suspended to June 30

The federal government has agreed to even further delay implementation of the E-Verify rule for federal contractors.  Contracts and solicitations issued prior to June 30, 2009, will not contain the mandate.  Click here for the Federal Register notice.

The federal government has agreed to even further delay implementation of the E-Verify rule for federal contractors.  Contracts and solicitations issued prior to June 30, 2009, will not contain the mandate.  Click here for the Federal Register notice.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council issued the final rule on November 14, 2008, requiring contracting officers to mandate contractor use of E-Verify in solicitations issued and contracts awarded after January 15, 2009.  In response to a legal challenge to the rule, the government agreed to suspend the rule until February 20 and again until May 21.  The plaintiffs in the lawsuit requested the extension after President Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel issued a memorandum directing federal agencies to consider extending by 60 days the effective dates of all regulations already issued but not yet in effect, in order to allow the new Administration a chance to review any "questions of law and policy raised."

Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) for Federal Contractors & E-Verify. Visit the AGC Web site for critical components of the final rule.

Construction Executive Salaries Rose 4.6% in 2008, Expected to Rise Further in 2009

Construction executive salaries increased an average of 4.6 percent in 2008, according to the latest Contractor Compensation Quarterly published by PAS, Inc.  Although last year's increase was not as significant as the 5.4 percent increases reported in 2006 and 2007, buying power for those executives who received raises still rose in 2008, as the inflation rate remained unchanged at zero percent. Click here to read full article