Blueprints for Success: Navigating Federal Construction Project Rules
About the webinar
This comprehensive webinar is designed to equip construction professionals with best practices to overcome compliance challenges and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
This session will cover critical topics such as the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, including the latest updates on prevailing wage requirements and the implications of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for large contracts. We'll explore the Buy America requirements, discussing the intricacies of domestic preference laws and the recent OMB guidance affecting federal projects. Learn the essential elements of effective ethics and compliance programs, highlighting updates from the Department of Justice and the latest enforcement trends.
Agenda
- Understand the importance of having a business plan for your construction company.
- Learn how a well-defined business plan can help you clarify your vision and objectives.
- Understand the role of market research in analyzing your target market and understanding customer needs and preferences.
- Learn how to identify the services you will offer and how they differentiate you from competitors.
- Understand what is involved with a strong marketing and sales plan to attract clients and generate leads.
- Learn the factors to consider when determining your business operations, including staffing, equipment, and supply chain management.
- What factors should be considered while creating financial forecasts, including revenue projections, expenses, and cash flow analysis?
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- Motivations
- Objectives
- The Critical 4 numbers every CEO should be watching
- Stage 1 - The Process of Building a Budget
- Stage 2 - Managing the Project
- Stage 3 - Project Post Mortem
Agenda
- Understanding the 7 critical phases of the project life cycle: Concept, Criteria, Configuration, Construction, Commissioning, Completion, and Closeout.
- Deep dive into Budget, Schedule, Quality, and Safety.
- Strategies to balance these pillars and ensure project success.
- The dynamics of assembling and managing a strong construction team.
- Roles, responsibilities, and the importance of communication and collaboration.
- Important steps to take when closing out the project and getting it ready for owner occupation
Agenda
- Why are you posting?
- Who are you targeting?
- What should you post?
- Where should you post?
- When should you post?
- How should you go about doing social media?
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- Elevate standards of care for their team
- Resolve production challenges efficiently
- Cultivate buy-in
- Spread the gains across teams
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- What is a 401(k) plan?
- How it helps with employee retention and recruitment
- How Human Interest simplifies 401(k) for small and medium businesses
- Key benefits and compliance support for construction companies
- Cost breakdown overview
- Affordability for small to mid-size companies
Agenda
- Background on the FAR, uniform guidance, and unique requirements for federal jobs
- Summary of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage and administrative requirements
- DOL 2023 update to DBRA implementing regulations and ongoing legal challenges
- Related development: Project Labor Agreement (PLA) mandate for large federal construction contracts
- Compliance challenges and best practices
- Features of an effective ethics and compliance program, per DOJ’s Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs (updated Sept. 2024)
- Requirements for federal contracts and federally-funded projects
- Recent developments for federal grants and assistance: whistleblower protections; mandatory disclosures; debarment standards
- Enforcement trends: bribery and kickbacks; collusive bidding (including an update on DOJ’s Procurement Collusion Strikeforce); False Claims Act
- Compliance challenges and best practices
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- Importance of job costing in construction.
- How accurate cost tracking impacts profitability.
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- Why contracts are essential to project success.
- The impact of well-drafted contracts on profitability and risk management.
- Overview of crucial terms such as scope of work, payment terms, and schedule.
- How these terms impact your rights and obligations.
- Indemnity clauses: What they mean and how they can impact your business.
- Liquidated damages: Understanding their purpose and negotiating reasonable terms.
- Change orders: Ensuring clarity and reducing disputes.
- Termination clauses: Protecting yourself against unfair termination.
- Tips for negotiating contracts to minimize risk and maximize profit.
- Understanding leverage points and how to use them effectively.
- Common mistakes contractors make when reviewing contracts.
- How to spot and address red flags before signing.
- Best practices for staying on top of your contractual obligations.
- How to track compliance with key contract provisions.
- Practical advice for improving contract review and negotiation skills.
- Leveraging professional advice when needed to safeguard your business.
Agenda
- Explore the current state of construction finance and how AI is driving innovation in project cost management and payroll.
- Leveraging AI to streamline budgeting and forecasting
- Predictive analytics for better cost control and risk management
- How AI-driven payroll systems reduce administrative burden
- Real-time compliance tracking with AI technology
- Live demo of AI tools developed by Lumber and Premier
Speakers
Dan Ramish is a construction, government contracts, and grants law attorney with Haynes Boone. His practice encompasses claims and disputes, subcontracting and teaming, and compliance counseling, with particular focus on domestic preference and prevailing wages requirements. Prior to going into private practice, Mr. Ramish was in-house government contracts counsel for an environmental remediation and munitions response contractor.Mr. Ramish is a frequent speaker and writer on construction law, government contracts, and federal grants. He is a member of the Council of the American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section, and co-chair of the Subcontracting, Teaming, and Supply Chain Committee. He is the Treasurer of the Construction and Public Contracts Law Section of the Virginia Bar Association. He is also a co-author of Federal Grant Practice (Thomson Reuters 2024 ed.), and is a regular guest on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin on Federal News Network.
A noted influencer and self-proclaimed troublemaker in the construction industry. Lance brings a unique perspective and wealth of experience to the table, making him the perfect guide for our webinar series.
