January 15, 2004 Joint Government Affairs Update
IN THIS ISSUE …
Meeting with Joel Kaplan,
House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
SF-330 Workshop CD
Available
Virginia Offshore Prohibition Bill
ACSM Lobby Day 2004
Federal Grant Opportunity
National Surveyors Week, February 16-22, 2004
ACSM PAC Auction in Nashville
________________________________________________________________________
Meeting with Joel Kaplan,
House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
Laurence
Socci recently attended a USGS Coalition meeting where the speaker was Joel
Kaplan of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Mr. Kaplan spoke with
coalition members about the FY 2005 budget for the USGS and the outlook for FY
2006.
It
wasn’t a surprise to hear that the budget is very tight this year and several
programs, including some mapping programs will see little or no increases from
what they’ve gotten in the past. He noted that overall, there is bipartisan
support in Congress for USGS and most members do not want to see programs cut.
It was noted that the reauthorization of the National Cooperative Geologic
Mapping Program is due to come up this year and the Subcommittee on Energy and
Mineral Resources (House Resources Committee) plans to hold a legislative
hearing on it in February or March.
SF-330 Workshop CD
Available
COFPAES is offering a CD with the audio of the conference
combined with the speakers PowerPoint presentations and a printable PDF of the
New SF330 Form. The cost of this package is $49. For more information, or to
order the CD visit the COFPAES website at www.cofpaes.org.
Virginia Offshore Prohibition Bill
A
bill was recently introduced by the Virginia State Legislature regarding A/E
work being done offshore. The Public Procurement Act provides that no public body shall
enter into any contract for professional services unless the contract provides
that only citizens of the United States, legal resident aliens,
and individuals with a valid visa will perform the services under the contract
or any subcontract of that contract. The bill further requires all public
bodies to include in every contract for professional services the following
provisions: “During the performance of this contract, the contractor agrees to
(i) post in conspicuous places, available to employees
and applicants for employment, a statement notifying such persons that only
citizens of the United States, legal resident aliens, and individuals with a
valid visa will be hired to perform the services under the contract or any
subcontract of such contract; (ii) state in all solicitations or advertisements
for employees placed by or on behalf of the contractor that the contractor will
hire only citizens of the United States, legal resident aliens, and individuals
with a valid visa to perform the services under the contract or any subcontract
of such contract; and (iii) include the provisions of the foregoing clauses in
every subcontract or purchase order, so that the provisions will be binding
upon each subcontractor or vendor.”
"Professional
services” under the Virginia Code, means work performed by an independent
contractor within the scope of the practice of accounting, actuarial services,
architecture, land surveying, landscape architecture, law, dentistry, medicine,
optometry, pharmacy or professional engineering.
ACSM Lobby Day 2004.
The
ACSM Lobby Day 2004 is tentatively set for the 1st or 2nd
week of May in Washington, DC. We are looking for
members to participate and bring ACSM’s issues
directly to Members of Congress. Unlike last year, this year we would like to
have several groups of members working the Hill at the same time so that we can
meet with as many legislators as possible. If you are interested in
participating, please contact Curt Sumner or Laurence Socci.
Federal Grant Opportunity
The
USDA is offering a federal grant for geospatial specialists. The grant is
entitled “Decision Support, Education, and Workforce Development Through
Geospatial Extension Specialists (GES) Program.”
Individuals
and for-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible.
The
GES Program is soliciting applications for projects that: improve through the
use of geospatial information, the decision support systems of users at local,
county and state levels; improve education in remote sensing and related
geospatial technology at the local, county and state levels; and, promote
development of a workforce skilled in the use of geospatial technology and
integrated with the staffs of user organizations.
To
receive an application or for more information, contact the Department of
Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
Office of Extramural Programs, 901 D St., NW Room 2245, Washington, DC 20024.
The
Due Date for the Application is March 1, 2004.
National Surveyor’s Week, February 16-22, 2004
National
Surveyor’s Week is fast approaching. ACSM is working on a few ways to
commemorate the week. Members are asked to consider writing Letters to the
Editor, and send letters or faxes to Members of Congress to inform them about
the importance of this week.
ACSM PAC Auction in Nashville
Once
again, it’s time to start thinking about contributing to the ACSM PAC auction.
Thanks to our members’ generosity, we have built strong relationships with
several Members in both the House and the Senate. As always, the PAC auction
will have a wide variety of interesting and useful things. Your contributions
are very much appreciated.