AGCVA members have been up to a lot in the last month! 

We are thrilled to recognize these accomplishments and recognitions, and we encourage you to connect with your fellow members and extend your congratulations!

UK utility contractor JSM Group developed a patented system designed to remove decommissioned, fluid-filled underground power cables without the need for full-length trenching.

Called the Non-Intrusive Cable Extraction (NICE) system, the company said it views the proprietary tech and process as a gamechanger for trenchless excavation.

The producer price index for materials and services used in nonresidential construction rose 0.5 percent in July and 2.6 percent from July 2024, the largest 12-month increase since February 2023, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials urged the Trump administration to quickly resolve outstanding trade negotiations and ease the punitive tariff levels put in place with many U.S. trading partners.

On August 7, 2025, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a proposed rule that would allow certain drone operations beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) without the need for individual waivers. The move is aimed at expanding safe, large-scale drone use across industries for activities such as mapping, inspection, and progress monitoring – and was also required by the FAA Reauthorization of 2024.

The FAA proposes to create a new section in its regulations for BVLOS operations. Specifically, drone operators would need to hold either a permit (simpler, capped operations) or a certificate (broader, scalable operations) for BVLOS operations with FAA oversight.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is set to require the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for all DoD prime and subcontractors. AGC recently hosted a webinar about the CMMC program and how contractors can better prepare. In addition, AGC of America’s website provides a list of resources related to CMMC, including the CMMC’s Accreditation Body’s marketplace where contractors can find Accessors and C3PAOs.

The DoD is implementing the CMMC requirements over four phases, starting with the inclusion of CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 Self-Assessment requirements in all applicable DoD solicitations. Most AGC members will fall under Level 1 or 2, and contractors should expect to see the CMMC clause in their contracts in the coming months. CMMC Level 3 requirements are expected to being in one year. The full rollout, which will see CMMC program requirements included in all applicable solicitations and contracts, is expected to occur sometime in 2027.

TikTok may be best associated with the latest dance crazes and viral challenges, but the social media platform with more than 1.5 billion monthly users could be a boon in helping the construction industry find its next generation of skilled laborers. 

In fact, many in construction are using the platform to provide younger generations with an informative perspective on careers in the industry and using influencers to help with recruiting.  This movement has become a significant influence on Gen Z’s career choices, inspiring many to consider construction as a viable and rewarding profession.

On August 15, 2025, AGC of America sent a letter to Pres. Trump seeking changes to the mandate for project labor agreements (PLAs) on large-scale federal construction projects and a meeting to collaborate further. AGC has long opposed government initiatives requiring or prohibiting the use of PLAs and maintains that PLA use should be left to the discretion of the contractor. (A copy of AGC’s formal policy on government PLA mandates is available here.) The letter discusses practical problems with the federal mandate and offers practical recommendations for easing the burden on contractors and for advancing economy and efficiency in procurement.

On July 1, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a batch of 23 newly proposed regulations. The majority of the proposals focus on better alignment with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standards, while also removing the medical evaluation requirements for filtering facepiece respirators and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators. Many of the proposals would revise some substance-specific respiratory protection requirements to allow the use of different types of respirators and still provide adequate worker protection. Specific substances include asbestos, lead, benzene, formaldehyde, and vinyl chloride.

The U.S. Department of Labor, on July 24, announced several programs designed to help employers, unions, and pension plans voluntarily assess and improve their compliance with federal labor laws.

The self-audit programs, which include new and updated offerings, aim to enhance worker protections while reducing the likelihood of formal investigation or litigation.

“Self-audits are one of the most effective ways to build a culture of compliance and trust,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “These programs are designed to give employers, unions, and benefit plan officials the tools they need to correct potential violations proactively. By empowering the regulated community with clarity and collaboration, we are continuing to fulfill the Department of Labor’s mission to put both workers and employers first.”