NECA Supports Provisions in NDAA

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NDAA to Proceed the House Floor

On September 2, 2021, the House Armed Services Committee concluded their markup on the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a 57-2 vote. There were multiple provisions and amendments offered by Members of the Committee that could help our NECA contractors do more work with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The provisions are as follows:

Microgrids: Requires the Department to amend the DOD building codes to require consideration of microgrids early in the planning process; and encourages the department to renegotiate contracts related to existing on-installation renewable energy projects to enhance installation resiliency during power
Energy Efficiency Targets for Defense Data Centers: Requires the Department to assess energy and water usage at existing data centers and set conservation goals for new data
EV Charging Infrastructure on Military Installations: Requires the Department to include EV charging infrastructure needs in their planning for new domestic military construction; requires the Department to adopt industry standard planning considerations in the development and rollout of charging infrastructure at military
Operational Energy: Requires the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment to report on alternative fuels including hydrogen; mandates a holistic review of the associated production, transportation, geopolitical, commercial, R&D, and performance issues of alternative
Direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program on the implementation of mitigating actions to address vulnerabilities to defense critical electric
Ensures that military construction projects utilize registered apprentices, which provide invaluable on-the-job experience while learning a
Establish a manufacturing coalition between labor, career and technical education programs, workforce development boards and the defense industrial base to highlight expertise and create career
A provision to enhance ‘Buy American’ standards for major defense acquisition programs. This amendment increases that standard to 60% immediately, 65% by January 2024 and 75% by 2029.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA would like to thank Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Mike Rodgers (R-Ala.) for bipartisanship on passing the NDAA out of committee. As the NDAA proceeds to the House Floor, NECA staff will closely monitor which provisions remain in the bill.

President’s COVID-19 Action Plan Includes Significant Executive Orders

Today, President Biden has released his COVID-19 action plan which includes an Executive Order mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees of contractors that do business with the federal government. Additionally, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is developing a rule that will require all employers with 100 or more employees ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require any workers who remain unvaccinated to produce a negative test result on at least a weekly basis. NECA is reviewing the official language and requirements of the Executive Order and will work with our contractors to provide guidance as this new rule goes into effect.

Read the full text of President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan below.

Path Out of the Pandemic: President Biden's COVID-19 Action Plan

EO language for federal contractors can be found below.

Executive Order on Ensuring COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors

House Sets Deadline for Infrastructure Vote

Last month, the House set a deadline for a vote on H.R.3684, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, for no later than Sept. 28, 2021. Passage is needed before the expiration of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act deadline September 30, 2021. Additionally, Government funding expires on the 30^th. Congress is expected to continue to work throughout the month to pass the infrastructure bill along with the Budget reconciliation before the deadline. NECA will continue to monitor progress on the bill through the month.

Chairman's Challenge

Northern California Chapter Meets with

Senator Alex Padilla and Rep. Mike Thompson

In August, the Northern California Chapter met with Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) during a fundraising event.

Pictured is Jennifer Fothergill of the Northern California Chapter, Rep. Thompson, and Scot VanBuskirk of the Northern California Chapter.

Pictured is Scot VanBuskirk of the Northern California Chapter, Senator Padilla, and Jennifer Fothergill of the Northern California Chapter.

Spotlight: Visit Us at the Government Affairs Booth @ Convention

NECA Convention in Nashville, TN, is less than a month away! During the tradeshow, visit the NECA Government Affairs Booth #1445 at the NECA Show floor and show your support for NECAPAC to be automatically entered into the Sweepstakes. Win great prizes like a Meater Wireless Meat Thermometer, Apple TV 4k, Coravin Wine Preservation System, Hue Smart Lights with Hub, Nest Smart Lock, and an Apple Watch.

There will be three winners each day and if you contribute the first day of the trade show, you will be entered to win all nine great prizes! Winners will be announced each day at the following times:

◦ Sunday, October 10 at 4:30pm

◦ Monday, October 11 at 3:30pm

◦ Tuesday, October 12 at 1:00pm

Thank you for your continued involvement with NECA Government Affairs and we hope to see you all at the NECA Government Affairs Booth!