October 5, 2020 CONNECT WITH OCA  ON SOCIAL MEDIA.....    Featured Content Updated Rules for the EDGE Program Approved      The updated rules are intended to strengthen the State’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity (EDGE) programs as well as establishes rules for the new Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification program. Following are highlights of the new rules, which will go into effect on October 9, 2020. Responding to the needs of participating businesses:    • Eliminate the current 10-year EDGE program participation limit.    • Ensure that only small businesses participate in EDGE by adopting the SBA 8(A) size standard caps.    • Add ability for the DAS Equal Opportunity Division to identify pre-verified third-party certifiers of comparable programs in order to expedite some MBE and WBE certification applications when the business already holds one of these verified certifications, as with current EDGE program expedited certifications.    • Eliminate the restriction that the majority of members/officers be a minority individual for MBE or a socially- and economically-disadvantaged individual for EDGE, giving MBE and EDGE companies a greater opportunity to engage any successful business owner as board of directors/executive officers. Enhancing program oversight and avoiding pass-through and front companies:    • All certified business owners will be required to meet the Commercially Useful Function standard, like the existing EDGE rule.    • Certification will be revoked for any violations of program compliance, like the existing EDGE rule.    • MBE-certified companies will now be limited to bidding only on set-aside procurement opportunities that match the company’s appropriate industry codes (international designations for products and services) as approved by the DAS Equal Opportunity Division. This helps ensure they are participating in contracts within their area of expertise. DAS has already been working with certified companies to ensure they have identified and have been approved within their proper industry codes.    • Companies will be required to submit additional financial, business, and net worth documents at the time of recertification to help verify continued program compliance.    • In addition to recertification requirements, certified companies will need to re-apply with an application and all required supporting documentation, as well as an interview every cumulative six years to demonstrate continued program compliance and eligibility. In addition to the new rules, DAS created a hotline to report possible fraud or abuse in the MBE, EDGE, WBE, and Veteran-friendly Business Enterprise programs. Tips about alleged violations may be reported to the toll-free hotline by calling 1-888-623-8477 (MBE-TIPS). Callers have the option to remain anonymous. Businesses that violate certification laws or rules risk decertification and the loss of business opportunities. More information on these programs can be found on the DAS website at das.ohio.gov. News Congress Passes Short-Term Government Funding Bill Including One-Year Federal Aid Highway & Transit Extension On October 1, the president signed into law legislation that averts a shutdown of federal government agencies and programs, including the federal-aid highway and transit programs. The legislation—known as a continuing resolution (CR)—funds the federal government through December 11. Thanks to a unified stakeholder community effort including AGC of America and ARTBA, a one-year extension of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act – the current highway and transit law – was included in the CR. The extension generally provides current levels of funding for federal highway and transit programs through September 30, 2021. In addition, the CR provides $13.6 billion to shore up the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the duration of the extension. That amount is divided between the two accounts within the HTF: $10.4 billion for the Highway Account and $3.2 billion for the Mass Transit Account. Legislation Approved to Provide Civil, Immunity from COVID-19 Claims House Bill 606, signed by Governor DeWine in September, provides widespread immunity to Ohio’s healthcare providers and others, including Ohio businesses, for liability related to COVID-19. The new law will become effective on December 13, 2020. The section of the bill regarding business entities provides qualified immunity to any person sued for causing harm by exposure to, or the transmission or contraction of COVID-19 (or other specified coronaviruses). As defined, “person” includes businesses, schools, non-profit entities, governmental entities, religious entities, and state institutions of higher education. The immunity does not extend to reckless conduct, intentional misconduct, or willful and wanton misconduct occurred. OCA supported this legislation along with numerous other association and business entities. Vote! The deadline to register to vote is TODAY, Monday, October 5. If you aren’t registered, moved, or unsure of your voting status visit VoteOhio.gov and register to vote or check your voting status. Early in-person voting starts tomorrow, October 6. Each county will have one location for early voting. The schedule is:           • October 6-16, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.           • October 19-23, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.           • Saturday, October 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.           • Sunday, October 25, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.           • October 26-30, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.           • Saturday, October 31, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.           • Sunday, November 1, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.           • Monday, November 2, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.      On Election Day, Tuesday November 3, polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  You can also request an absentee ballot by visiting VoteOhio.gov. Completed ballots must be postmarked by November 2 or received by the local board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on November 3. There is much at stake this Election Day. Besides electing a President, on the state level all 99 members of the Ohio House, 16 seats in the Ohio Senate, and two Ohio Supreme Court seats will be decided. Be sure to make your voice heard! OHIO811 Damage Prevention Sessions for Excavators OCA’s partner in underground damage prevention, OHIO811 is hosting several, free in-person excavator seminars across the state during October and November as well as two free webinars on November 13th at 9 am and 1 pm. These seminars will provide you and your staff valuable information on topics like legislative updates, I-dig and E-Dig, excavator training, features to the OHIO811 mobile app, and more. Space is limited, so sign up early to reserve your seat. Please follow the CDC guidelines while attending in-person seminars by wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. Don’t forget to register upon arrival to win a free tablet. (Note: Eligibility for door prize during webinar established upon attending.) Following are the session locations and links to additional information and registration for each: Mt Vernon 10/27/20 app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020MtVernon Bellefontaine 10/28/20 app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Bellefontaine West Chester Twp 10/29/20 app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020WestChester Oregon 11/17/20 app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Oregon Carrollton 11/18/20 app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Carrollton McConnelsville 11/19/20 app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020McConnelsville Webinar-9:00 am 11/13/20 app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Webinar01 Webinar-1:00 pm 11/13/20 app.coursettra.com/4iq/publicseminar/2020Webinar02 Apply Now - 2020 OCA Safety Awards OCA’s annual SAFETY AWARDS program is a great opportunity to showcase your safety program and recognize those in your organization who work diligently to protect the safety and health of your most valued asset – your employees! All active members are encouraged to participate! Awards will be presented in several size divisions, based on total hours worked. Those who achieve zero accidents and injuries during the year will also be recognized! Winners will be announced during our virtual Winter Conference session on December 10th. Please return your application ASAP to be in the running for OCA’s coveted safety award! The submission deadline is Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Please click here to access the application form. If you have any questions about the Safety Awards Program, please contact Kim Dillon or Mark Potnick in the OCA office. 2020 has been a “crazy” and demanding year for new safety & health challenges. We salute you for stepping up to successfully meet those challenges as you continued to make Ohio’s construction industry one of the safest in the country! We hope to see you on the winner’s podium…Good luck! Enroll in OCA's Workers Comp Group Programs for $aving$ OCA with the assistance of our Third Party Administrator (TPA), CompManagement, is currently accepting applications for enrollment into its workers comp group rating programs for the period beginning July 1, 2021. We currently have 19 enrollees with projected premium savings of nearly $74,000.00. The enrollment deadlines are: • 11/23/20 – Group Rating • 01/29/21 – Group Retro For additional details and enrollment information, please contact Mark Potnick at OCA via email, [email protected] or by phone, (614) 488-0726. If you wish to speak directly with our TPA, contact Tony Sharrock, Director Client Services, CompManagement, LLC. Direct dial: (614) 376-5450; FAX: (614) 790-8210 CELL (614) 214-2644; EMAIL: [email protected] October Safety Webinars/Classes Available from BWC       The Ohio BWC will be hosting several occupational safety and health webinars and virtual classes in October including: Webinars:      • Emergency Action Plan      • Key Elements      • The New BWC Website and Other Online Resources      • Reducing Injuries Using Ergonomic Concepts      • Drones: Safety Tools in the Sky Virtual Classes:      • Accident Analysis      • Developing a Driver Safety Program      • Electrical Safety      • Hazard Communication      • Job Safety Analysis      • Lockout/Tagout For additional information on all October distance learning, including registration, click here. For more information or assistance when registering, contact the staff member listed or [email protected].  Hall of Fame Nominations and Distinguished Service Award Nominations In recognition of outstanding service within the heavy/highway industry and our association, nominations are being accepted for the following professionals:      • Hall of Fame (contractor members)      • Distinguished Service Award (associate members) Requests for nominations are solicited through chapter meetings and newsletters. Nominated candidates must meet the following requirements before being listed for election: a) Must have 20 years of service to the construction industry. b) Active with OCA at least 15 years, serving at least 15 years on: OCA’s statewide committees (contractor members) or any OCA committee (associate members) c) Candidates should have contributed significantly toward the stated goals and purposes of the Ohio Contractors Association. Candidates must be nominated by an OCA member. No more than two may be elected to the Hall of Fame and one elected for the Distinguished Service Award each year. A secret ballot will be used to select nominees. Awards will be presented during the virtual OCA Winter Conference. Deadline for nomination is October 16, 2020. Please submit your nomination to David Rule at [email protected]. Worksite Traffic Supervisor (WTS) Prequalification Testing On behalf of ODOT’s Division of Construction Management and Office of Roadway Engineering, the following additional sessions of Worksite Traffic Supervisor (WTS) Prequalification Testing are now open for registration: • October 6 – Morning » Click here to register. • October 6 – Afternoon » Click here to register. • October 13 – Morning » Click here to register. • October 13 – Afternoon » Click here to register. • November 17 - Morning » Click here to register.  • November 17 - Afternoon » Click here to register. Click here to access the PDF flyer with recent updates. Prerequisites – Do not register for WTS Prequalification testing until the prerequisites have been completed. Please see the online registration form and flyer for details. Pre-registration is required for WTS Testing. Due to social distancing requirements per COVID-19, seating capacity is limited for each session. Please review the important updates and new safety protocols as described per the links above.     Quick Links to On-line OCA Resources •   Current Ohio Contractor Magazine •   Safety Resources •   Labor & Employment Information •   OCA President's Commentary  Upcoming Events Click here for current events Safety Talks Working Around Vehicles/Equipment This email was sent to {#party.Email} because you are subscribed to the Ohio Contractors Association weekly e-Newsletter.  This email was sent by: Ohio Contractors Association, 1313 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215