<p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/wp-smacna-guide-to-federal-contracting-501x600.png?sfvrsn=e9dcc9a5_0"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/wp-smacna-guide-to-federal-contracting-501x600.tmb-medium.png?sfvrsn=e9dcc9a5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="WP-SMACNA Guide to Federal Contracting 501x600" title="WP-SMACNA Guide to Federal Contracting 501x600" style="float: right; margin-left: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></a>SMACNA&rsquo;s new <strong><a href="https://www.smacna.org/docs/default-source/market-sector---hvac/smacna-guide-to-federal-contracting-web.pdf?sfvrsn=4d0ac9a5_2">Guide to Federal Contracting</a></strong> provides members with an easy-to-use resource that demystifies the federal contracting process. Companies interested in diversifying their business model can use this guide to learn how federal contracts are awarded, what regulations apply to them and which processes are important to successful project completion. </p> <p> </p> <p>As a complement to the guide, SMACNA developed a <strong><a href="https://www.smacna.org/hvac/market-opportunities/federal-contracting">Federal Contracting Resources webpage</a></strong>. The majority of regulations applicable to federal contracts can be found in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and this page begins with resources related to the FAR. The site also includes a list of federal agencies and tools of interest. It will be continually updated with resources as they are available. </p> <p> </p> <p>While the economic climate can quickly and drastically change, impacting the private marketplace, that is not the case when it comes to the federal marketplace. There is no reason why your company cannot use the federal government as a vehicle for success.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/docs/default-source/market-sector---hvac/smacna-guide-to-federal-contracting-web.pdf?sfvrsn=4d0ac9a5_2">Download the Guide</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Visit the <a href="https://www.smacna.org/hvac/market-opportunities/federal-contracting">Federal Contracting Resources</a>&nbsp;webpage</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p> </p> <p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/smwnpf-400x385.jpg?sfvrsn=3441caa5_0"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/smwnpf-400x385.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=3441caa5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="smwnpf 400x385" title="smwnpf 400x385" style="float: left; margin-right: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></a>The Sheet Metal Workers&rsquo; National Pension Fund (NPF) recently amended and restated its <a href="https://www.smwnpf.org/downloads/plan-documents/2019_Restated_Trust_Document.pdf">Trust Agreement</a>. In addition to incorporating previous amendments, the plan adopted three new amendments to its withdrawal liability provisions that contractors should know about.&nbsp; </p> <p> </p> <p>First, the NPF streamlined its procedure for when a contractor requests a review of its withdrawal liability assessment.&nbsp; Now, when a contractor has either questioned its assessment, challenges the calculation, or provides additional information related to the assessment of liability, the Fund Office has absolute responsibility for reviewing matters &ldquo;pertaining to Withdrawal Liability including but not limited to initial and revised assessments, requests for review and any assertion or disposition of claims.&rdquo; &nbsp;The NPF sees this as streamlining the process in that is does not require a wait on trustee action.</p> <p> </p> <p>The second amendment consisted of adopting the procedures for the American Arbitration Association (AAA).&nbsp; Under the law, disputes over withdrawal liability are subject to arbitration.&nbsp; In adopting the AAA procedures, the NPF is consistent with the procedures used in other types of disputes for which the trust agreement calls for arbitration.</p> <p> </p> <p>The third and final amendment specifically allows the arbitrator in a withdrawal liability matter to award the NPF its reasonable attorneys&rsquo; fees and arbitration costs if the employer has initiated the arbitration in bad faith or engages in dilatory, harassing, or other improper conduct during the course of the arbitration.</p> <p> These above stated amendments went into effect on April 23, 2019.&nbsp; The NPF&rsquo;s withdrawal liability provisions are contained in Appendix A of the trust document.&nbsp; The newly restated trust agreement is <a href="https://www.smwnpf.org/downloads/plan-documents/2019_Restated_Trust_Document.pdf">available on the NPF&rsquo;s webpage</a>.<br class="t-last-br" /> </p>

<p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/smc_6054_schleifer-600x524.jpg?sfvrsn=26d3c9a5_0"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/smc_6054_schleifer-600x524.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=26d3c9a5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="SMC_6054_Schleifer 600x524" title="SMC_6054_Schleifer 600x524" style="float: left; margin-right: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></a>The long-anticipated <a href="https://simplar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Self_Analysis_Program_0.1_final.xlsm">Construction Company Self-Analysis Program</a> is now available. Developed by Dr. Thomas C. Schleifer, this do-it-yourself diagnostic tool offers the equivalent of an independent expert evaluation of every aspect of a construction business. </p> <p>Schleifer, author of <em>Managing the Profitable Construction Business, </em>says that every construction company has some areas that can benefit from improvement with a thorough understanding of the firm&rsquo;s strengths and weaknesses. </p> <p>Research confirms that most contractors understand construction methods better than the &ldquo;business side&rdquo; of their business and the complicated relationships between marketing, production and accounting. This program provides comprehensive insight into these complex areas. Once identified, contractors have little difficulty correcting or compensating for any limitations they uncover. Identifying them is the hard part but this program makes it easy. &nbsp;</p> <p>To access this free program, <a href="https://simplar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Self_Analysis_Program_0.1_final.xlsm">download the excel spreadsheet.</a></p> <p>For more information, contact Dr. Schleifer at <a href="mailto:tom@schleifer.com">tom@schleifer.com</a>.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/ahern---fire-600x400.jpg?sfvrsn=34d2c9a5_0"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/ahern---fire-600x400.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=34d2c9a5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Ahern - Fire 600x400" title="Ahern - Fire 600x400" style="float: right; margin-left: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></a> </p> <p>A persistent worker shortage remains a top industry concern across the country. In an effort to attract future generations to the construction industry, contractors in the Madison, Wisconsin area created Kids Building Wisconsin. The 6^th annual Kids Building Wisconsin was held on May 11.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/felix-the-fitter-448x600.jpg?sfvrsn=23d2c9a5_0"><span class="captioned"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/felix-the-fitter-448x600.tmb-small.jpg?sfvrsn=23d2c9a5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Kids posing with 1901, Inc. mascot, Felix the Fitter" title="Kids posing with 1901, Inc. mascot, Felix the Fitter" style="float: left; margin-right: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></span></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Paul Christensen, owner and CEO of <a href="https://www.1901inc.com/"><strong>1901, Inc.</strong></a>, a member of SMACNA and the Madison Area Mechanical and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC), has been on the Board of Kids Building Wisconsin for the last five years and is passionate about growing the trades with the next generation.</p> <p>&ldquo;The biggest reason I am involved with Kids Building Wisconsin is to help build our future,&rdquo; explained Christensen. &ldquo;Everyone knows about the labor shortage in construction and it&rsquo;s only going to expand when more of our great leaders retire. Kids Building Wisconsin is great exposure for kids to experience the construction industry. The kids get to see how much fun it is to work with their hands, and their parents are learning and asking questions about their kids&rsquo; future opportunities.&rdquo;<a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/superintendent-446x600.jpg?sfvrsn=ed2c9a5_0"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/superintendent-446x600.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=ed2c9a5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Superintendent 446x600" title="Superintendent 446x600" style="float: right; margin-top: 12px; margin-left: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></a></p> <p> 1901, Inc. had a variety of activities for the kids to participate in at the event. Kids shooting nerf arrows high in the air showcased hydraulics and shooting small balls into kiddie pools required accuracy. Kids also got to meet and have a picture with 1901, Inc.&rsquo;s mascot, Felix the Fitter!</p> <p>&ldquo;We had life-size kids construction cutouts of the different fields throughout the industry,&rdquo; continued Christensen. &nbsp;&ldquo;The cutouts said, &lsquo;Hi, I&rsquo;m a sheet metal worker, and I make X amount for an annual salary.&rsquo;&nbsp; The kids get their picture taken with the cutouts and pretend to be a sheet metal worker or plumber, etc., and then you get to see the wheels turning with parents going, &lsquo;wow, they make that much money?&rsquo;&nbsp; It is a cool event that gets kids excited about construction, and it shows the parents about the opportunities that are available for their children.&rdquo;</p> <p>To showcase their Fire Protection division,<strong> <a href="https://www.jfahern.com/">J. F. Ahern Co</a>.,</strong> also a member of SMACNA, had kids help them put out small fires. They were mini-firefighters for the day!</p> <p>1901, Inc. and J. F. Ahern Co. proudly participate in Kids Building Wisconsin each year, sharing information and excitement of the sheet metal industry and the construction trades to the next generation.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/cea-14-600x406.jpg?sfvrsn=ce3c9a5_0"><span class="captioned"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/cea-14-600x406.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=ce3c9a5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="SMACNA Executive Committee" title="SMACNA Executive Committee" style="float: left; margin-right: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></span></a>SMACNA contractors joined forces with other specialty construction groups at this year&rsquo;s Construction Employers of America (CEA) National Issues Conference, held May 7-9 in Washington, D.C.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The first day of the program featured policy experts on multiemployer pension plans, pharmacy benefit issues, and paid family and sick leave. SMACNA members were then invited to a legislative dinner, where members and chapter executives were recognized for their contributions to SMAC PAC. The evening included a speech by SMACNA President Nathan Dills.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/cea-15-576x600.jpg?sfvrsn=99ecc9a5_0"><span class="captioned"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/cea-15-576x600.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=99ecc9a5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="CEA-15 576x600" title="SMACNA President Elect Angie Simon with Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL)" style="float: right; margin-left: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></span></a>On the second day, legislators shared their views on infrastructure, energy efficiency, procurement, paid leave, and other issues important to the industry. The day opened with Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), followed by Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), and Rep. Gerry Connelly (D-VA).&nbsp;</p> <p>Speaking on infrastructure investment, Rep. Stauber said, "let's get an infrastructure package together that is bold and responsive." He closed his speech noting, "I'm privileged to be here today and work with both sides of the aisle and labor is going to be a huge part of it."</p> <p>Rep. Connelly noted that &ldquo;infrastructure does not happen by fairy dust. You have to fund it...if we do not heed the warning of America&rsquo;s crumbling infrastructure, we are handing our competitiveness over to China. It is a lack of political will to make that investment, an investment that we should have made yesterday.&rdquo;</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) followed with speeches on energy efficiency and investing in America&rsquo;s future. &nbsp;Tonko stated, &ldquo;we have the incredible opportunity to invest in America&rsquo;s infrastructure and put our people to work. Roads and bridges are not enough. We have to include broadband and make that system run more efficiently. We also need additional investments in water systems infrastructure.&rdquo; He closed his talk with a rallying cry, &ldquo;I still believe most optimistically in the pioneer spirit of this country. As we go forward let us commit to investments that brings us back to a country that &ldquo;builds&rdquo; and moves forward.&rdquo; </p> <p>Markey focused on the Green New Deal, a bill he introduced in the Senate, and building a climate resistant future. "We're talking about jobs," he said. "The Green New Deal will be the single largest creator of blue collar jobs."&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/cea-16-600x435.jpg?sfvrsn=85ecc9a5_0"><span class="captioned"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/cea-16-600x435.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=85ecc9a5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="CEA-16 600x435" title="Michael A. Brown, President, Environmental Construction Services, Inc., Philadelphia, PA; Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ); Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA); and Dominic Bonitatis III, President, Prime Sheet Metal, Warminster, PA." style="float: left; margin-right: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></span></a>The final session featured Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) who spoke on lowering the price of prescription drugs and noted that she believes "we will pass a meaningful infrastructure package."</p> <p>Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) discussed paid leave and his commitment to ensuring that our workforce is a focus of the conversation. &ldquo;I want to stress the importance of guaranteed pay," he said. "The lack of guaranteed pay relief costs a family so much. It is outrageous that a worker should have to choose between a sick family member or themselves and a paycheck.&rdquo;</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The legislative conference is all about advocacy and more than 60 SMACNA members from 20 states took part in more than 100 meetings with their legislators to discuss ramifications of these issues on their businesses, their employees, and the industry.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>In the evening, members were invited to an all-association reception, hosted by Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH), with special guest Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA). Stivers welcomed members, noting that "the economy is doing pretty well but our infrastructure needs a boost."</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/cea-15-600x511.jpg?sfvrsn=48e3c9a5_0"><span class="captioned"></span></a><a href="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/cea-15-600x511.jpg?sfvrsn=48e3c9a5_0"><span class="captioned"><img src="https://www.smacna.org/images/default-source/2019/cea-15-600x511.tmb-medium.jpg?sfvrsn=48e3c9a5_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Stan Kolbe, SMACNA's Director of Legislative and Political Affairs, with Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts." title="Stan Kolbe, SMACNA's Director of Legislative and Political Affairs, with Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts." style="float: right; margin-left: 12px;" data-openoriginalimageonclick="true" /></span></a>The final day focused on apprenticeship and labor with speakers Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of the Sage Policy Group. Nicholas C. Geale, chief of staff to the secretary, U.S. Department of Labor, and Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), and John Katko (R-NY).</p>