April 6, 2020
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We, the undersigned trade and professional organizations representing tens of thousands of firms and individuals engaged in architecture, engineering, surveying and mapping, prime contracting, subcontracting, specialty trade contracting, supplying, construction and program management and surety bond production would like to join with the many other organizations in urging further guidance to clarify “essential Infrastructure” and “essential businesses and services.”
As the nation and your Administration contend with the real threats presented by COVID-19, we want to encourage the issuance of exemptions for operations and maintenance of “essential infrastructure” that allows individuals to provide such services that are impossible to perform from home. Such infrastructure should include essential design, construction and related services of public works, including airport operations, roads and highways, public transportation, energy, and of critical importance today, expanding, retrofitting, and rehabilitating structures to meet healthcare and other systems and facilities related COVID-19 production needs.
This work is essential to our nation’s ability to deliver what is needed during this emergency. These include medical services and supplies, food, and daily necessary goods to the American people.
The current version of DHS guidance, Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers, continues to have ambiguities that require clarification. We respectfully urge the broadest definition of the services, occupations, and projects our organizations represent so that we serve our fellow citizens, operate in a safe manner in accordance with CDC and other relevant protocols, contribute to the effort to combat COVID-19, and sustain our economy in these difficult times.
We look forward to working with you and your Administration so the various related industries we represent can continue our work of providing necessary construction and related services to the nation and doing our part to see us through this pandemic.
Sincerely,
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Subcontractors Association
Associated General Contractors of America
Construction Management Association of America
Council on Federal Procurement of Architectural and Engineering Services
Design-Build Institute of America
Geospatial Equipment and Technology Institute
Independent Electrical Contractors
International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants
National Association of Surety Bond Producers
National Electrical Contractors Association
National Society of Professional Surveyors
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association
Subsurface Utility Engineering Association
Surety & Fidelity Association of America
U.S. Geospatial Executives Organization
Women Construction Owners & Executives
