ACSM Government Affairs Update, June 2002
Truthfulness, Responsibility, and Accountability in
Contracting Act (TRAC) Legislation
On June 4, a meeting was
held of organizations and companies opposing TRAC legislation. Laurence Socci
attended on behalf of ACSM, and COFPAES also attended. The purpose of the
meeting was to discuss strategy to oppose a TRAC-like amendment sponsored by
Senator Kennedy to the Department of Defense Authorization Act. The amendment
applies only to the Department of Defense. If passed, the amendment would
counter the administration’s goal of having a uniform procurement process.
Also, it would mandate the use of the cost comparison process (under OMB A-76)
for all DoD contracts. This is not in the best interest of small business or of
our members.
As a result of the meeting,
it was agreed that individual organizations would meet with Senators urging
them to oppose any TRAC-like legislation or amendments or, in the alternative,
urge them to delay vote on TRAC like amendments. Laurence Socci met with staff
from the offices of Senators Bob Graham (D-FL), Rick Santorum (R-PA), and
Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) regarding the TRAC-like amendments. There will be a
follow-up coalition meeting on June 18.
Ultra Wide Band (UWB) Legislation
ACSM has been a participant
in the coalition that opposes the use of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) devices where
they may interfere with signals used in GPS work. Recently, Laurence Socci
attended a Congressional hearing that held in the House Subcommittee on
Telecommunications and the Internet to discuss the UWB issue and the recent FCC
order permitting a limited deployment of UWB technology. The hearing also
discussed the FCC ruling that it will conduct tests for 6 - 12 months, under
"real world" situations to determine whether UWB creates harmful
interference in the restricted bands. Chairman Tauzin stressed repeatedly that
he wants to see the "real world" tests and he came down on the FCC
and DOT witnesses for not doing the real world tests before coming up with the
ruling.
UWB devices operate by
employing a very narrow or short duration pulses that result in very large or
wideband transmission bandwidths. There is a concern among coalition members
that UWBs will interfere with signals used in their line of work. We are concerned
that UWBs will interfere with signals used in GPS work. Particularly, we are
concerned that UWBs will affect satellite transmissions if allowed to be used
in the band of the spectrum where that communication occurs.
Admittedly, our concerns are
not as “life threatening” as the concerns of some other members of the
coalition, but it will still affect our members and the way we do our job. This
is an issue we will be watching and we will keep you apprised of the situation.
Pipeline Infrastructure Protection to Enhance
Security and Safety Act (HR 3609)
This is a bill recently
approved by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. Among
other things, it contains a provision relating to pipeline inspection and a
provision that would streamline permits for pipeline repairs. Curt Sumner
raised the point that perhaps surveyors can get involved in the pipeline
inspection process. This may be a good area where we can propose legislation
similar to legislation introduced in Missouri relating to “design locate”
aspect of utilities. In the Missouri legislation, every person owning or
operating an underground facility must assist excavators (i.e. surveyors) and
the general public in determining the location of underground facilities before
excavation activities are begun. The bill also addresses other ways in which
property underground facility owners and operators are to cooperate with
surveyors in determining the location of underground utilities and
devices. Laurence Socci will review the
federal bill (HR 3609) and the Missouri bill, and discuss them with John
Matonich and Curt Sumner to determine whether this is something we should
pursue.
Federal Prison Industries (FPI)
On May 23, a strategy
meeting was held on Capitol Hill regarding HR 1577, the Federal Prison Industry
Reform Bill. Laurence Socci attended the meeting on behalf of ACSM. The Bill is
expected to come to the full House floor any day now and faces opposition by
several Members. We are working with other members of COFPAES to keep out amendments
that would be harmful to COFPAES members.
As part of the strategy
meeting, which was hosted by Representative Hoekstra, a co-sponsor of the bill,
it was determined that the different organizations supporting HR 1577 should
lobby individual members to get their support of the bill. Laurence Socci
drafted a letter for ACSM to fax to key members of Congress showing our support
for the bill. Additionally, Laurence Socci met with staff of Members of
Congress to voice our support. We will continue to monitor this legislation and
keep our members informed of the progress of the legislation.
FEMA Flood Map Modernization Project Update
On May 17, the Flood Map
Modernization Coalition, along with FEMA held a Congressional briefing
regarding support for the Bush Administration’s proposed funding level of $300
million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) flood
modernization program. This briefing was held in conjunction with a
Congressional letter signed by 32 Republican and Democrat Members of the House
of Representatives in support of the President’s proposed funding. Laurence
Socci attended the briefing on behalf of ACSM.
Many of the flood maps for
the nation’s 20,000 flood prone jurisdictions are 15-30 years old. Out-of-date
maps result in structures being built in areas that will flood in the future
because the maps do not reflect modern development. FEMA’s maps are currently
funded primarily by the flood insurance policy holders. This brings in about
$50 million/year for floodplain mapping. FEMA has developed a plan to modernize
the flood maps using new technology and putting the maps into a computerized
Geographic Information System. This approach will save time and money because
it will allow for rapid updates as conditions change.
The Flood Map Modernization
Coalition will have a follow-up meeting on June 19 to discuss where we go from
here. Laurence Socci will attend the meeting on behalf of ACSM.
Support for Technology Students.
Two bills recently passed
House Committees which would help student interested in pursuing science, math
and engineering fields. The House Science Committee approved HR 4664, the
“Investing in America’s Future Act”. The bill places the National Science
Foundation (NSF) on a path to having its budget doubled in five years,
including a 15% increase this year. The bill would also bolster undergraduate
science, math and engineering education; creates a new flood warning index;
and, improves product and standards-related information sharing.
The other bill, the Technology
Talent Act of 2001 (HR 3130) establishes and enhances programs within the
National Science Foundation (NSF) to expand the number of U.S. students
pursuing science, math, engineering and technology education. There is a
companion bill in the Senate, sponsored by Senator Joe Lieberman (D-VT).
Laurence Socci will continue
to monitor these pieces of legislation.