ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) reports that the U.S. Small Business Administration has issued proposed rules that would tighten restrictions against the use of “contract bundling” by federal agencies.

Contract bundling, such as indefinite quantity and task order contracts, can put the work beyond the reach of smaller contractors, says the MCAA. The new rules are part of the Bush administration report, “Contract Bundling, A Strategy for Increasing Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses.”

Comments on the proposed rules change are due by April 1, 2003. The report is available at www.acqnet.gov.