ROCKVILLE, MD — The Federal Acquisition Regulations calling for more definitive contractor responsibility determinations before the award of direct federal contracts were published in the Dec. 20, 2000 “Federal Register” (65 FR 80256). The regulations will take effect on Jan. 19, 2001. The Mechanical, Electrical, Sheet Metal Construction Alliance (SMACNA) has supported the measure with some qualifications in detailed comments submitted over the three-year period of the development of the final rules.

SMACNA has found that the changes to the final regulations are carefully crafted and reasonably responsive to the regulatory record. The organization states that the new rules should also reduce the risk that compliance issues on a project will interfere with performance of the contract and the contractors involved.

Publication date: 01/08/2001