Owner, GC Look to Jumpstart E Boston Project
Roseland Construction LLC and Suffolk Construction Co. have gone to the airwaves to seek concessions from the building trades to jumpstart the Portside at Pier One project in East Boston. The owner and GC are directing their comments mainly to the piping and electrical trades. Roseland LLC is trying to close a $1.5 million budget shortfall.
Mayor Menino Pushing For Start to BU BioLab
Boston Mayor Tom Menino is pushing for work to begin at the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (NEIDL) or BU BioLab. Nothing has move on site for three years due to legal and regulatory challenges. BU and city officials estimate the economic impact of the facility at $98 million annually. They also estimate the creation of 380 ancillary jobs for vendors like HVAC contractors.
Retainage Bill a Top Priority for MA Subcontractors
H 1401 and S 956, An Act Relative to Fair Retainage Payments in Private Construction, tops the legislative priorities list for MA subcontractors. Both bills propose setting reasonable limits on the amount of retainage withheld. 20 other states have enacted similar legislation. Contact the association office for more information.
Federal Contractor Information System Enacted
Effective January 3, 2012 the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) backed by MCAA will be available for the public to search the past records of federal contractors actions. Actions include the following: contracting officer non-responsibility determinations, contract terminations for default or cause, agency defective pricing determinations, administrative agreements for suspension or debarment actions and contractor self-reporting of criminal convictions, civil proceedings and adverse administrative proceedings.
In Congress Tax Extender Outlook Not Great
When Congress reconvenes in late January construction and renewable energy advocates will be pushing to extend key tax breaks on renewable energy construction. Further extension of the payroll tax cut will also be discussed. A construction industry representative stated "business decisions are being made as we speak, so the longer we go without an extension, the more harm will be done."
Beacon Hill Set to Freeze UI Rate
As the MA House and Senate reconvene they are set to vote on a freeze of the Unemployment Insurance rate. This initiative will head off an automatic 31% increase for employers. The freeze at the current Schedule E avoids a jump in UI rates from $715 per employee to $935. Employer groups estimate that the $100 million UI fund surplus could grow to $400 million. A letter from State Senators supporting the freeze stated "Our economy cannot endure a sharp increase in the Unemployment Insurance. Allowing rates to increase will stifle job growth in the Commonwealth."
Cell Phone Ban In Effect
On January 3rd a cell phone ban for drivers of commercial vehicles went into effect. A rule developed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will now be enforced by Massachusetts. The rule bans commercial drivers from reaching, holding or dialing a phone while on the road. Hands free devices are allowed. Drivers who violate the rule can be fined up to $2750 and employers that allow this could be fined up to $11000. The new rule will be enforced by the MA State Police Truck Team and any other law enforcement officials certified by the NTSB for commercial vehicle enforcement.
BuildRI and RI Building Trades Meet SecNav
In early January BuildRI's Greg Mancini and representatives from the RI Building Trades Council met with Secretary of the Navy Raymond Maybus. The group discussed an initiative to get more local contractors and tradespeople to work on construction projects at Naval Station Newport. They also discussed the use of Project Labor Agreements on these projects. SecNav cited his awareness of Executive Order 13502 that encourages the use of PLAs on large projects. He stated that his department is committed to executing the President's Executive Order. SecNav cited the upcoming Bachelor Housing project in Newport as one he would review for PLA use.
Green Mechanical Council Names Exec
The Green Mechanical Council announced Steven H Allen as their new Executive Director. Allen is the former Director of the Sustainable Technologies Department for the UA. He brings over 40 years of experience as an HVAC Service Technician and Instructor. Allen will work with manufacturers, contractors associations and career technical schools to develop classroom and web-based HVACR certificate and degree programs.
Most Small Biz to Buy iPads
About three quarters of all small businesses plan to buy a tablet computer in 2012, with most leaning towards the iPad. The average investment is projected to exceed $21,000 over the next twelve months. Companies with fewer than 50 workers plan to spend approximately $2000. Research shows that iPad purchase preference is higher among larger firms than smaller ones.
OSHA News
An update to the construction industry's head protection standard is underway at OSHA. The change involves updating references to the ANSI consensus standard for hard hats and other head protection. The replacement ANSI standards will be Z98.1-2009, Z89.1-1997 and Z98.1-1997.
Construction Materials Costs Rise 5.3%
The national price of key construction materials rose 5.3% in December compared with a year ago, according to Associated General Contractors of America. Specific materials that have risen over the year are diesel fuel up 20.2%, steel mill products up 11.3% and asphalt paving mixtures up 8.4%.
