Industry pushes back on rule on labor law violations

Several business groups are opposing the Labor Department’s proposed rule requiring federal contracting officers to consider vendors’ previous labor law violations when deciding to award contracts over $500,000.

Contractors and subcontractors must disclose any such violations for the past three years. The companies also must provide “transparent” paychecks to their workers. The rule was based on an executive order.

The administration has said the order is intended to weed out major violators and should have little effect on most vendors.

However, the business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Professional Services Council, are concerned about the costs and burden of the proposed rule and whether it harms due process for business owners, according to a report by Bloomberg/BNA.

Comments on the proposed rule are due by July 27.

More information: Proposed rule http://goo.gl/CzueqI
Bloomberg/BNA report: http://goo.gl/hLSTuY
Holland & Knight LLP report: http://goo.gl/59N87s

LGBT rule in effect

Federal contractors must follow a new anti-discrimination rule for their lesbian and gay employees that took effect in April. The rule applies to contractors with $10,000 or more in awards per year. It requires non-discrimination clauses in contracts and job postings and may also affect health coverage to same-sex spouses in some cases.

More information: http://goo.gl/dLjldd

New rule on bundling

The federal acquisition councils have released a new proposed rule on contract bundling for commercial items, including commercially available off-the-shelf items.

The broad-ranging rule includes revisions to previous rules, new definitions and new terms. Comments are due by Aug. 3

More information: https://goo.gl/gJuM0y

Concerns about SBA size standards

Is the “Buy Indian Act” enough?

SBA focus on tribes

Contracts down by $14B in ‘14

Column: The “Inside Scoop” on IT Opportunities

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