Congress Takes Notice of Change Orders Delays

On Jan. 10, a bipartisan group of members of the House of Representatives introduced an AGC-backed bill, H.R. 4754, that would require federal agencies to publically publish their change orders policies and procedures on any small business federal construction contract. The bill would provide prospective federal construction contractors with information they need to factor risk and resulting costs of delayed payment for change orders into their federal contract bids and offers. The bill originated out of a congressional hearing in which AGC members testified before the House Small Business Committee on change order delays and their impact on federal construction contractors.

AGC is at the forefront of advocating for greater accountability in the change order process, having previously called on the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council to improve the data federal agencies collect regarding the administration of change orders. AGC’s recommendations would require federal agencies to collect data covering the contracting officer’s (CO) timeliness of action, encouraging greater CO accountability.

To view the press release from one of the bill’s sponsors, click here.

For more information, contact jordan.howard@agc.org or (703) 837-5368.