New Subcontracting Rule Proposed A proposed SBA rule is aimed at ending “bait and switch” subcontracting. The proposal, in the Oct. 5 Federal Register, requires a prime contractor to notify the contracting officer whenever the prime does not give any work to a subcontractor that was included in its proposal. The provision applies to construction contracts above $1.5 million and other contracts above $650,000, for which a subcontracting plan is required. The new rule was mandated by the 2010 Jobs Act. The rule would also require a prime to report to the contracting whenever it reduces payments to a subcontractor or when payments to a subcontractor are 90 days or more past due. The proposed rule is RIN: 3245-AG23. Comments are due Dec. 5.