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Joint AGC - Corps of Engineers Meeting Doubletree Hotel, Omaha, NE May 9, 2012. Jimmy Christianson Director, Government Affairs Federal & Heavy Construction Division Associated General Contractors of America. 2012 Federal Contractors Conference. Over 15 federal owner agencies participated;
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Joint AGC - Corps of Engineers MeetingDoubletree Hotel, Omaha, NEMay 9, 2012 Jimmy Christianson Director, Government Affairs Federal & Heavy Construction Division Associated General Contractors of America
2012 Federal Contractors Conference • Over 15 federal owner agencies participated; • More than 325 attendees; • Take aways: • Federal investment in construction will remain flat; however, there are rays of sunshine! • Provide your insight; it makes a difference. • 2013 FedCon: April 29 - May 2, 2013 @ Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC
Review FedCon Presentations WWW.AGC.ORG/FEDCON
Small Business Contracting • AGC has long requested a FAR amendment that would allow prime contractors to include lower tier small business subcontracts to be counted towards agency goals. • AGC believes subcontracting goals should be achievable and realistic, based on the project and area.
Government Mandated PLAs • President Obama’s 2009 EO 13502 encourages federal agencies to require PLAs on federal construction contracts exceeding $25 million; • Increased federal agency PLA activity; • AGC has helped defeat more than 40 gov’t mandated PLAs; • Support H.R. 735 and S. 119, the Government Neutrality in Contracting Act.
Overview • CURRENT STATE OF PLAY • LOOK AT THE RACES • --President • --Senate • --House • WHAT IS AGC DOING TO INFLUENCE?
2012 Political Outlook/Presidential • Obama is vulnerable • --campaigned as moderate/governed as liberal • --owns the economy/gas prices • --his victories unpopular (stimulus, health care) • Electoral college (need 270) • --solid/likely Dem=195 • --solid/likely GOP=217
9 Toss-up States = 126 EV’S • CO (9) • FL (29) • IA (6) • NV (6) • NC (15) Obama carried all in 2008! • OH (18) • PA (20) • VA (13) • WI (10)
2012 Political Outlook • Senate: • --53 Dems/47 GOP • --Dems defending 23 seats (13 safe) • --GOP defending 10 seats (7 safe) • --3 vulnerable GOP seats (NV, MA, ME) • --8 vulnerable Dem seats • Open: NE, HI, ND, NM, VA, WI • Incumbents: MO, MT
2012 Political Outlook • House: 242 GOP/193 DEM • 53 close races • --23 Dems • --30 GOP • Redistricting favors GOP slightly nationwide • GOP likely to retain majority
How You & AGC Can Make A Difference • AGC PAC • www.agc.org/PAC • Legislative Action Center • www.agc.org/LAC
AGC Gov’t Advocacy: It Makes A Difference 2011 Congress • 5,793 bills introduced • 81 laws—fewer than 2% of bills introduced Two Major AGC Victories • Repealed 3% Withholding • Repealed 1099 Requirement