WASHINGTON — The Campaign for Quality Construction (CQC) has announced its support of the Contractor Accountability Act of 2003. The legislation proposes to create a more accountable and selective construction bidding process by establishing a centralized database on actions taken against federal contractors and requiring a description of each action, thus providing officials with the information to protect business interests. It would also place the burden of proving responsibility and subsequent eligibility for contracts on the person seeking the contract if they have been previously convicted of two violations.

According to the CQC, the legislation will make sure the “government gets the quality it deserves from the most ethical and qualified firms the industry has to offer.”

Members of the CQC include several industry organizations, including the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the Finishing Contractors Association (FCA), and the Association of Union Constructors.

The CQC also applauded the leadership of several representatives with the same vision, including Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Peter King (R-N.Y.) in conjunction with Gary Million (R-Calif.), Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Major Ownes (D-N.Y.), and Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.).

Publication date: 07/28/2003