FIND OUT FROM ECONOMIST GREG IP WHAT FOLLOWS THE "FISCAL CLIFF"
 
 Now that we've avoided the "fiscal cliff," are our business and personal assets safe from market fluctuations and for how long? Economist Greg Ip, U.S. Economics editor for The Economist, will share his insights and predictions about what factors-domestically and internationally-will affect our nation's economy over the next few years during a special session at MCAA 2013 (March 17-21, San Antonio, TX). Ip will explain: the "seven-year itch" and what it means to your future investment planning; the surprising sources of future U.S. growth; how China's economic ups and downs impact U.S. and world markets; what Federal Reserve actions and decisions mean; and how post-fiscal cliff politics will affect the economy and your investment planning over the next few months. Find out more about this and other business-oriented special sessions and workshops at www.mcaa.org/mcaa2013 and then register using our convenient online process.

GAINS IN FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT POLICY REFORMS IN DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2013 (H.R. 4310) signed by President Obama on January 3, included significant federal construction procurement policy reforms promoted by MCAA. As a consequence of MCAA's vigorous pursuit of direct federal construction project low-bid contractor selection reforms for late adoption in the NDAA last year-primarily bid listing of major subs on low-bid projects-MCAA was able to shore up safeguards against subcontract selection abuse in the small business sections of the NDAA. Under the 2010 Jobs Act, prime contractors that submitted small business subcontracting plans on covered direct federal contracts ($1.5 million or more) were only required to notify contracting officers if they did not subcontract with firms listed in their subcontracting plans. In the FY 2013 NDAA, the conference committee report strengthened those provisions by requiring primes to notify the subcontractors they identify in their subcontracting plans in advance of listing them. The NDAA also added a requirement that the Small Business Administration (SBA) set up a reporting mechanism for those subcontractors to report fraudulent or bad faith activity with respect to implementation of the subcontracting plan by the prime contractor.  While this de facto bid listing for small business subcontracting plans falls short of major subcontractor bid listing on all direct federal low-bid construction project awards, a long-standing MCAA goal, it remains a significant step toward gaining more direct contracting oversight in the subcontractor selection process. The FY2013 NDAA also increased the SBA surety bond guaranty to $6.5 million.