Introduction of the Construction Quality Assurance Act of 2011

* Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today, along with my colleague Rep. MAZIE HIRONO, I am introducing the Construction Quality Assurance Act of 2011. This bill is designed to stop bid shopping on federal construction contracts. It would require prime bidders on low-bid projects valued at $1 million or more to list each subcontractor on work categories of $100,000 or more with their bid submissions. Substitutions of listed subcontractors after contracts are awarded would be allowed only

in exceptional circumstances and only with the consent of the contracting officer.

* The bill would impose financial penalties for improper substitution of listed subcontractors. The bill would also apply to subcontractors. Both prime contractors and subcontractors would be subject to debarment or ineligibility determinations in cases where there are two infractions of the prohibitions over any three-year period.

* Restoring equitable safeguards in the low bid system will assure that agency practice will conform to the highest standards adhered to by industry professionals and contractor associations, and will reflect best practices followed by a great many other public procurement systems nationally and internationally

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