ACEC's Advocacy Team has put together a summary of the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2), which would authorize transportation, energy, water, brownfields, broadband, public housing, health care facilities, and public school construction programs and funding over five years. The bill totals approximately $1.5 trillion in investment from FY 2021-25.

The full bill text of the CARES Act, which passed the Senate on 3/25/20 is available here. To read a section by section analysis of the Act, click here. And click here to view the Senate Appropriations Committee's supplemental summary.

ACEC’s advocacy team put together a summary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, S 3548), economic stimulus legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader McConnell

ACEC statement on Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) dated 7/2/20

ACEC Letter on the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) dated 6/30/2020

ACEC Letter on the INVEST Act dated 6/16/20

Coalition letter to Congress calling for temporary COVID-19 Liability Protection

ACEC letter to Members of Congress urging support for the PPP Flexibility Act and calling out additional problem areas.

Coalition letter calling for OMB intervention on potential impact of PPP loan forgiveness on firm rates.

ACEC letter to Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Joe Manchin (D-WV) in support of the Senate energy bill.

Coalition letter to OMB seeking standard guidance regarding Sec. 3610 of the CARES Act: Federal Contractor Authority.

4-13-20 ACEC letter to congressional leaders supporting additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Act.

Engineering and design community letter seeking further clarification to Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Guidelines.

Water infrastructure stakeholders letter in support of drinking water and wastewater funding

ACEC letter to Senate Leaders McConnell and Schumer to retain the business tax provisions in the third coronavirus response bill.

ACEC Coalition letter asserting engineering services as essential

Editorial urging state and local governments to keep engineers working on infrastructure projects that are in design and underway.

ACEC letter to congressional leaders asking for a delay in tax filing and other key ways to help employers keep people on the payroll.

Transportation Construction Coalition letter in support of long-term transportation funding in economic relief bill.

Engineering and construction group letter urging Congress to include a $10 billion immediate infusion for airports.

Industry letter calling on Congress to support Government Contractors Unable to Access Federal Facilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic

ACEC letter to the Senate expressing concerns about unintended impacts of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) on small engineering firms

ACEC state-by-state spreadsheet of current status of construction projects. . 

Washington D.C. is offering $25,000 micro-grants to eligible non-profits. The application deadline is 6:00 pm on March 31.

South Carolina DOT has issued a joint workforce safety plan in collaboration with ACEC of South Carolina, FHWA, and other construction stakeholders.

Multistate Associates has launched a webpage with a comprehensive list of state and local government responses to COVID-19/coronavirus.

The National Governors' Association website offers regularly updated information about how the states are dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Interpretive Guidance on MD Executive Order 20-03-23-01

Wave 9 of the ACEC COVID-19 Business Impact Survey is now available to download.

Wave 8 of the ACEC COVID-19 Business Impact Survey is now available to download.

The ACEC Research Institute's Business Impact Survey Executive Summary is now availalbe to download. The summary provides an overview of the seven survey waves conducted between March and May 2020.

Seventh ACEC Member Survey: Respondents were less optimistic about an imminent economic recovery, but a majority are now working in their offices. More than 500 members participated in the survey, which was conducted May 27-29.

Highlights:

• Firms are slightly less negative about cash flow than in previous surveys. Firms with fewer than 25 employees were the most negative, with 42 percent saying their finances are worse and 43 percent saying cash flow is worse.
• 23 percent of respondents were less optimistic about the economy returning to normal within six months, compared to 27 percent in the sixth survey (May 5-6).
• 47 percent of respondents expect 12-18 months to pass before the economy returns to normal.
• 76 percent of respondents rate the federal stimulus program (CARES Act) positively.
• 89 percent of firms with fewer than 500 employees were approved for Paycheck Protection Programs (PPP) loans.
• 71 percent of firms intend to use their PPP loan within the eight-week “forgiveness” window.
• 79 percent of respondents said extending the PPP Loan Forgiveness window from eight weeks to 16 or 24 weeks would have a positive impact.
• 16 percent of firms (up from 12 percent in the sixth survey) are working on new COVID-19 pandemic response projects. More than one-third of firms with more than 200 employees have COVID-19 response projects.
• 61 percent of firms have either re-opened or never closed.
• 74 percent of firms have created a plan for re-opening, up from 42 percent in the sixth survey.

Click here to read the survey executive summary.

Sixth ACEC Member Survey: On May 8, ACEC released the results of its sixth member survey on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the engineering industry.
Key highlights:

• Although the vast majority of firms (82 percent) still feel the condition of the U.S. economy is worse compared to March 1, this metric has declined from 93 percent in the 3rd survey on April 1.
• Firms are less negative regarding their finances and cash flow compared to previous surveys, although firms with 25 or fewer full-time employees are more likely to say their finances (41 percent) and cash flow (44 percent) are worse today.
• Firms are less optimistic about a “return to normal” within six months compared to the previous survey on April 22 (27 percent vs. 37 percent). Conversely, more firms feel it will take 12 to 18 months for a return to normal (36 percent vs. 27 percent). Smaller firms are slightly more optimistic than larger firms. Roughly three out of ten firms with 50 or fewer employees feel business will return to normal within six months, while only one out of ten firms with more than 200 full-time employees feel the same.
• The top actions firms have taken to shore up their finances since March 1 are freezing non-essential purchases (46 percent), speeding up collections (39 percent) and freezing salary/pay increases (33 percent).
• Slightly more firms report working on new projects directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic response compared to the previous survey (12 percent vs. 8 percent).
• Nearly nine out of ten firms (88 percent) applied for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Among firms submitting an application, nearly all (94 percent) say it was accepted and approved. Most of the rest (4 percent) are waiting on approval. Among firms whose application was approved, 84 percent have received the funds in their bank account compared to 70 percent in the previous survey. The vast majority of firms (86 percent) received $2 million or less for their PPP loan. However, 96 percent of firms with more than 200 full-time employees received a loan for more than $2 million. Nearly all firms with 50 or fewer staff (99 percent) received a loan amount of $2 million or less. About two-thirds (64 percent) of firms plan to use all of their PPP loan, while 22 percent plan to use some of it and to return the rest. Only 2 percent plan to return all of the loan.
• Fourteen percent of firms have already re-opened at least some of their offices, while 28 percent said they never closed to begin with. Of the remaining firms, most say they will re-open when they feel it is safe to do so (38 percent).
• The number of firms that have created a plan for re-opening has more than doubled (20 percent to 42 percent) in the past two weeks.
• Nearly half of firms (49 percent) say they will restrict or prohibit domestic travel for training/events/conferences after stay-at-home orders are lifted. Another third (33 percent) say they will restrict air travel.
• About one out of seven firms (15percent) say they will restrict or prohibit international travel for training/events/conferences after stay-at-home orders are lifted. Another 11 percent say they will restrict air travel.
• The vast majority of firms plan to implement a large number of safety measures once they re-open their offices. Top among these are maintaining social distancing (95 percent) and allowing staff to work remotely to care for others (85 percent).

Click here to read the survey report.

Fifth ACEC Member Survey: On April 24th, ACEC released the results of its fifth member survey on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the engineering industry.

Fourth ACEC Member Survey: On April 10th, ACEC released the results of its fourth member survey on the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the engineering industry.
The survey report includes an executive summary that highlights a number of findings broken down by firm size and geography.
Key highlights:

• Firms feel the federal stimulus package will have a positive impact (74% up from 51%)..
• 72%of firms have already applied for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Payroll Protection Program (PPP). Another 14% plan to apply.
• 65% feel the U.S. economy will be worse in 30 days compared to today, but this represents a decline from 81% from week 3.
• Looking out 6 months, nearly 50% of firms feel the economy will improve while more than one-third think it will be worse. Sentiment about the firms’ finances and cash flow follow the same trend.
• Firms report they have taken various actions to shore up their finances (68% up from 58%.) Freezing non-essential purchases and implementing hiring freezes top the list.
• Firms are increasingly providing emergency paid leave (44% up from 34%.)
• Increase in the percentage of firms (63% up from 45% in Week 3) reporting delays in RFPs/RFQs or Awards due to COVID-19.
• Increase in the percentage of firms (76% up from 70% in Week 3) reporting project delays or cancellations due to COVID-19.

Third ACEC Member Survey: On March 31 and April 1, ACEC surveyed 610 members firms about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting their firms. The survey report includes an executive summary that highlights not only important significant results but also calls out differences in these results by firm size.
Key highlights:

• 9 out of 10 firms feel the economy at all levels is worse today than it was 30 days ago.
• 54% feel their firm’s finances and cash flow (58%) are worse today.
• 8 out of 10 firms feel the economy at all levels will be even worse 30 days from now. 68% feel their firm’s finances and cash flow (72%) will be even worse 30 days from now.
• Nearly 50% of firms feel the economy will improve six months from now, about 1 out of 4 think it will continue to get worse.
• While many firms have already taken actions in the past 30 days to shore up their finances, even more expect to do so in the coming 30 days. Actions topping the list include hiring freezes and freezing non-essential purchases.
• 51% indicate the federal stimulus package passed last week will have a positive impact on their firm, nearly one-third (32%) are not sure yet.

ACEC Completes Second Member Survey: On March 24-25, 738 member firms responded to ACEC's second survey on the impact of the coronavirus emergency on the engineering industry. Key results compared to the first survey were: More firms (79%, up from 71%) are restricting domestic travel; more firms ( 93%, up from 80%) have implemented a telework policy; social distancing (84%, up from 77%) and virtual work (84%, up from 73%) are the top work continuation methods; and there were big jumps in the number of firms reporting delays in RFP/RFQ awards (40%, up from 24%) and reporting project delays or cancellations due to COVID-19 (58%, up from 44%). Responding to new questions in the second survey, 87 percent of firms have not received any assistance from creditors, 47 percent believe Congress should delay payment of firms’ share of Social Security payroll taxes, and 44 percent favor increasing interest deductibility for businesses. Other suggested steps that Congress could take to ease cash flow challenges include no-interest loans, grants to cover payroll, tax credits and deductions, and direct payments/unemployment to employees.  Click here to read the complete survey report. 

ACEC Releases Results from Member Survey:Last week, ACEC surveyed its member firms on a number of questions about how the engineering industry is responding to the coronavirus emergency.  794 firms responded and the regional breakdown of that survey’s results can be found here.

ACEC announces the "Coronavirus Impact Forum," a new ACEC online community.  Register for the community to join the conversation here.  

Greyling Brief: Navigating State Restrictions and Limitations on Business Activity

Greyling Report on Insurance Coverage Issues Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Coming Soon!

15 Days to Slow the Spread

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

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What you should know:

Workplace, School, and Home Guidance
People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19
How COVID-19 Spreads
Symptoms
Steps to Prevent Illness
Testing
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do If You Are Sick with COVID-19
Stigma Related to COVID-19
What You Need to Know
Facts about COVID-19
Information for People at Higher Risk and Special Populations
Communication Resources

Situation Updates:

• Situation Summary
• Cases in the U.S.
• Global Locations with COVID-19
• Risk Assessment
• CDC in Action: Preparing Communities

Information for Businesses:

• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• Information for Communities, Schools, and Businesses
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations – Community Facilities
• SBA: COVID-19 Resources
• DOL: Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for Coronavirus
• DOL: OHSA Resources for Workers and Employers on COVID-19
• WHO: Get Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19
• CISA: Risk Management for COVID-19
• EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19

Information for Travel and Transportation:

• Information for Travel
• Guidance for Ships
• Guidance for Airlines and Airline Crew
• State: Travel Advisories
• State: Traveler’s Checklist
• State: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
• DOT: FAQs from FTA Grantees Regarding COVID-19

Information for Healthcare Providers, First Responders, and Research Facilities:

• Information for Healthcare Professionals
• Resources for State, Local, Territorial and Tribal Health Departments
• Resources for Healthcare Facilities
• Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with COVID-19 or Persons Under Investigation in Healthcare Settings
• Information for Laboratories
• Resources for First Responders
• Guidance for Nursing Homes
• Guidance for Public Health Professionals Managing People with COVID-19 in Home Care and Isolation Who Have Pets or Other Animals
• FAQs and Considerations for Patient Triage, Placement and Hospital Discharge
• What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know
• Guidance for Homeless Shelters
• Guidance for Hemodialysis Facilities
• CMS: Information on COVID-19 and Current Emergencies
• CMS: Guidance for Hospice Agencies
• CMS: Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act Requirements and Implications Related to COVID-19
• CMS: FAQs for State Survey Agency and Accrediting Organizations
• EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19
• PDF

Information for Families and Households:

• Information on COVID-19 for Pregnant Women and Children
• Interim Guidance for Household Readiness
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for U.S. Households
• Guidance for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Homes and Residential Communities
• FAQ: COVID-19 and Children
• EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19
• PDF

Information for Schools and Childcare Providers:

• Interim Guidance for Administrators of U.S. Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools
• Resources for Institutes of Higher Education
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations – Community Facilities
• USDA: USDA Makes It Easier, Safer to Feed Children in California Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
• DOE: Resources for Schools and School Personnel
• EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19
• PDF

Information for Community Events and Gatherings:

• Interim Guidance for Mass Gatherings and Large Community Events
• Interim Guidance for Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
• EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19
• PDF

Information for Military Response:

• DOD: Department of Defense Coronavirus Response