News

House Panel Approves Bill Prohibiting Reverse Auctions for Construction

Take Action: Urge Your U.S. Senators and Representative to Support H.R. 2751Ìý On March 5, the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee unanimously approved by voice vote theÌý, introduced by Representative Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.).Ìý This legislation would essentially prohibitÌýfederal agencies from procuring construction services through reverse auctions.ÌýÌýThis is the first major hurdle the bill had to jump before coming law. However, more hurdles remain ahead in the legislative process.ÌýÌýand urge your U.S. Senators and Representative to support H.R. 2751. The bill was introduced shortly after AGC’sÌýÌýbefore the House Small Business Committee on the need for this legislation.ÌýÌýbefore a joint House Veterans Affairs and House Small Business Committee hearing on the need to prohibit procurement of construction services through reverse auctions in December 2013.Ìý Several agencies, including theÌýÌýAffairs andÌý, are using reverse auctions to procure construction services for full-range construction projects, including million dollar building renovations, national park road construction, and material supply and delivery. In addition, theÌýÌýlaunched its own web-based reverse auction platform—which includes the option of procuring construction services—for federal agency use last year. Again, pleaseÌýÌýand urge your U.S. Senators and Representative to support H.R. 2751. For more information, please see AGC of America’s summary on this issue and billÌý. For more information, please contact Jimmy Christianson atÌý(703) 837-5325Ìýorchristiansonj@agc.org.