Jeffrey Hummel and Michael Bauer Published in Construction Executive
"U.S. Embassy Construction: Risks, Requirements and Opportunities"

Seyfarth Shaw Washington, D.C. Construction attorneys Jeffrey Hummel and Michael Bauer wrote an article published in the November 2011 issue of Construction Executive. The article discussed the State Department's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO), which carries out the Embassy Construction Program, and the heightened standards and requirements that contractors must adhere to regarding these projects. 

Jeff and Michael point out that the OBO has recently focused on promoting green building practices and has mandated that all new embassies be built Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certified. Additionally, the new buildings are to be built to "represent the best of American architecture, engineering, technology, art and culture." They note that these embassy construction projects provide opportunities for contractors to "participate in highly visible, complex, green building projects that demonstrate design excellence."

Some of the requirements expanded upon in the article include: a clear preference for U.S. contractors; security clearances; subcontracting limitations and bonding requirements; small business and minority business set-asides; and prequalification procedures.

Click here to read the full article: http://www.constructionexec.com/Issues/November_2011/Business_Development.aspx