NDIA leads associations calling on Congress to cover contractors during COVID-19 response
With the COVID-19 virus response directing people to avoid contact and stay at home, Congress needs to give sound guidelines “to ensure the health and economic security” of thousands of federal government contractors who work alongside federal employees every day, the National Defense Industrial Association said in a March 19 letter, one of 10 trade organizations urging action.
The letter, titled “Support to Government Contractors Unable to Access Federal Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” states that federal guidance has been inconsistent for how contractors should continue working through the Coronavirus response and voices concern for the need to implement fully compensable equitable adjustment certainty to help ensure companies are not forced to layoffs.
The letter calls for legislation to create certainty in Federal Acquisition Regulations governmentwide for telework, virtual work and equitable compensation for those who can’t access work sites or work remotely due to sensitive classifications during the pandemic.
As state and local governments close businesses in their individual jurisdictions, the letter asks Congress to consider an exemption for employees performing work deemed essential for national security, including defense, intelligence and aerospace development and manufacturing.
The letter includes suggested language for the legislation. It is addressed to House and Senate leaders and signed by the following:
- American Council of Engineering Companies
- Associated General Contractors of America
- Center for Procurement Advocacy
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Commercial Spaceflight Federation
- CompTIA
- Information Technology Industry Council
- Intelligence and National Security Alliance
· National Defense Industrial Association
- Professional Services Council
