In late May, AGC members Ed DeLisle and Andy Brown of Glen/Mar Construction of Portland, Ore. testified at a US House Small Business Committee hearing on change order delays and the impacts they can have on federal construction contractors. Members of Congress heard how federal agency delays in processing and paying change orders can disrupt cash flow, impact schedules, waste taxpayers’ money, and restrict opportunities for contractors to bid on additional projects. AGC called for greater transparency, oversight, and agency action to address delays in paying contractors for the work they do for the federal government.
AGC will continue to advocate for greater accountability among the different federal agencies in the change order process. In March, the House of Representatives’ Small Business Committee requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a review on the use of change orders on federal construction contracts. This bipartisan request was a direct result of AGC’s efforts with both parties in Congress to address the many issues associated with change orders.
Previously, AGC called on the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council to improve the data federal agencies collect regarding the administration of change orders in response to the Council’s information request. AGC’s recommendations would require federal agencies to collect a range of data regarding the timeliness of action by the contracting officer (CO) to encourage greater CO accountability.
For more information, contact Jordan Howard, 703-837-5368.