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Legislative Alert - Support AB 1409 (Perez).
We did it together; CIFAC and its members and supporters prevailed again. The bill requires counties to bid new road construction work above the counties’ $25,000 threshold. Counties have reported doing nearly a half billion dollars worth of new construction work with their own forces over the past several years because they have a competitive bidding exemption if they have a County Road Commissioner or equivalent. If almost all other local governments have to bid their work, why should counties be an exception?
Competitive bidding is good public policy because it lets the public know what the real cost of the project is likely to be and whether they are getting the best value for their money. In these economic times, contractors are much more likely to bid and to give counties a better price.
AB 1409 is on its way to the Assembly Floor for action. We continue to need your support and we will keep you posted on any changes. |
What CIFAC can do for you
When State and local governments use their own employees to build public roads, streets and highways or public buildings, they may be breaking the law. California law defines the difference between maintenance and new construction. CIFAC is only concerned with new construction.
For almost thirty years, CIFAC has been monitoring cities, counties, school districts and other special districts to ensure that they comply with the competitive bidding laws.
Why does CIFAC do this? To promote job creation by making sure contractors have an opportunity to bid on new public works jobs. This also guarantees that the public gets the best value for every public works dollar that is spent. Competitive bidding is good public policy.
If you see a public agency doing a construction project on a public road, street, highway, bridge or building with its own forces and no contractor, they may be violating the law and taking your jobs. Contact us immediately at 800.755.3354 or go to Project investigation form on this site, and fill in as much as you can and click submit we will take it from there.
The Construction Industry Force Account Council CIFAC is a non profit coalition of concerned contractors organizations, labor union representatives and other interested organizations that acts as your competitive bidding compliance watchdog.
CIFAC Helps Provide Job Opportunities
CIFAC keeps the playing field level. CIFAC goes after State and local government agencies who want to use their maintenance employees to do work that should be done by experienced contractors and their trained and certified employees. Why do we do this?
- To make sure contractors have an opportunity to bid on new public works jobs
- To increase the number of public works construction jobs, and
- To make sure the public gets the best value for every tax dollar that's spent.
CIFAC protects the public's pocketbook. How would we know if we are getting the best value without competitive bidding? The California Public Contract Code was put together as a matter of good public policy; to set up a fair process and to prevent cronyism.
You can help CIFAC. As you drive to or from your job or any other time and you spot a public agency working on a public road, street or building with its own forces and no contractor, they may be violating the law and taking your jobs. Contact us immediately at 800.755. 3354 or use the investigation form on this site and we'll do the rest. Just be sure to give us a way to contact you a phone number or email address. We keep this information confidential so go ahead.
Benefits of becoming a member
- Swift action of violations
- Investigations
- Quick responses to inquiries
- Free research related to investigations
- Expert answers on Public Contract Code questions
- First level legal opinions
- Monthly Progress Reports
- Quarterly Newsletters
Go to our online |
Start an investigation
Have you seen public works projects underway that may be in violation of competitive bidding and force account laws? Then please fill out and submit our Project Investigstion form or call us at 1.800.755.3354 |
| 2008 Accomplishments at a Glance |
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Value of projects investigated:
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$578,896,699
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Value of projects that went to bid:
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$191,035,911
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| Seven-year total value of projects investigated: |
$3.1 billion* |
| Number of State Bills sponsored by CIFAC signed into law: |
2 |
| Number of CIFAC complaints upheld by CUCCAC (3 in 2009): |
4 out of 4 |
*Projects' Value
For more detailed information see CIFAC's Accomplishments |
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