Amazon generated much buzz in the District last Thursday on its pursuit to find a second headquarters. The Jeff Bezos buzz, could possibly create many job opportunities for District residents. Governing officials in the Wilson Building, such as Councilmember McDuffie are adjusting for the market shift either way Amazon stays or goes. Hey, the District is already the home of The Washington Post, along with many Whole Foods grocery stores if we\’re trying to be fair.
Councilmember McDuffie introduced two bills on today with the goal to support local and small businesses in the District of Columbia through quicker payments to contractors and the creation of a dispute resolution process between prime contractors and subcontractors.
Quick Payment Amendment Act of 2017
This legislation aims to ensure that both prime contractors and thus subcontractors receive their payments in a timely manner. The legislation requires the District to disperse payments no later than 15 days after receiving a properly submitted invoice. Currently, the District has up to 30 days to make payment, which can cause a significant burden for subcontractors who may not have the assets necessary to float payments to employees and vendors. Reducing the time in which contractors are paid will assist subcontractors in receiving their funds earlier.
Upon introduction of this legislation, Councilmember McDuffie said:
“As a result of many meetings with local business owners here in the District of Columbia, I introduced this bill to alleviate one of the most frustrating parts of contracting with the District government: prompt payment.
This legislation would not only benefit prime contractors but greatly assist subcontractors who are often small, local, and overwhelmingly hire District residents. By reducing the time in which prime contractors are paid, this legislation would ensure subcontractors are promptly paid and bring financial stability to the residents who are employed by those businesses.”
Government Contractor-Subcontractor Dispute Resolution Act of 2017
This legislation is designed to assist the dispute resolution process for conflicts that arise between prime contractors and subcontractors working on government projects. The legislation empowers the Director of the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to attempt to resolve the contractual disputes through “conference and conciliation” with the parties. If “conference and conciliation” is unsuccessful, the legislation further empowers the Director to appoint an independent Hearing Officer to produce a “Counts and Allegations” document which includes all parties and issues to be resolved. Hearing Officers must decide the matter within 15 days of receiving the evidence and arguments from the prime and subcontractors.
With introduction of this legislation, Councilmember McDuffie said:
“Again, listening to our local businesses, many subcontractors have shared that they feel at a disadvantage when disagreements arise between prime contractors and subcontractors. Because a subcontractor is dependent on the prime contractor for payment, and has fewer resources to pursue litigation, they often feel they must acquiesce to the prime contractor.
This bill, if enacted, would create an efficient and timely resolution to disputes that inevitably arise, and increase the number of subcontractors who want to work on D.C. Government projects.”