CAPITOL HILL
“Assessment and Enforcement of Domestic Preferences In Accordance with Buy American Laws.” June 30, 2017. Retrieved from whitehouse.gov.
The Office of Management and Budget and Department of Commerce issued a memo to provide agency guidance in accordance to Executive Order 13788, Buy American and Hire American. The memo prompts agencies to assess their compliance with all statutes, regulations, rules, and Executive Orders relating “Buy America” or “Buy American” and Federal procurement. In order to maximize the Federal Government to buy domestically manufactured products in its contracts and grants, and minimize use of exceptions and waivers, the memo also requests for agencies to submit a report to OMB and Department of Commerce on their findings and recommendations.
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
“GSA CAAC Letter re: Class Deviation from the Federal Acquisition Regulation to Implement an Act to Enhance Whistleblower Protection for Contractor Employees.” Acquisition.gov, CAAC Letters, June 5, 2017. Retrieved from acquisition.gov.
The General Services Administration released a memorandum in which it provides agency guidance to implement 41 U.S.C. 4712 (as amended) to make permanent the 4-year pilot program and clarifies the use of certain Whistleblower Protection clauses. The CAAC letter also allows agencies to authorize a class deviation.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
“Office of the National Ombudsman; Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to Small Business Regional Regulatory Fairness Boards.” Federal Register, July 5, 2017. Retrieved from gpo.gov.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a notice to solicit nominations of qualified owners, operators, and officers of small business concerns to be considered for appointment by the SBA Administrator as a member of a Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board. Members on the ten regional boards serve as advisors to the SBA Office of National Ombudsman and relay regional perspective and concerns on regulatory enforcement and compliance issues of concern to small business owners. Nominations will be accepted on a rolling basis, For more information visit sba.gov/ombudsman.