September 9 - 2025 DMV Construction Horizons: Strategies for a Changing Market
The construction and finance sectors are shifting rapidly. Federal legislation and tax reforms are reshaping how projects are planned and funded, while tariff-related pricing pressures are impacting every link in the supply chain. Join ASAMW and CFMA on Tuesday, September 9 at 11:00am at the Tower Club in Vienna, VA for 2025 DMV Construction Horizons. A panel of experts will explore the economic, policy, and operational shifts affecting the DMV market.
You’ll gain real-world strategies on vendor pricing protection, contract modifications to address cost escalations, regional project pipeline forecasts, and managing risk in an uncertain environment. Designed for owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and construction financial professionals, the session emphasizes practical takeaways you can implement immediately. Space is limited! Reserve your seat today: Register.
Member Breakfast with The Christman Company
The Christman Company will host a breakfast for ASAMW subcontractor and suppliers on Friday, September 12, from 8:00-10:00 AM at their Sterling office.
This exclusive member-benefit event provides direct access to Christman's leadership team to discuss upcoming project opportunities. The morning includes a company presentation, Q&A, and networking with fellow members. Complimentary breakfast and parking provided.
Due to limited space, registration is limited to one representative per company. Visit the ASAMW Website to learn more and register today.
MEMBER UPDATES
Subcontractor/Supplier Information Exchange (SIE)
Attention ASAMW Subcontractor and Supplier members! Join us for our monthly virtual SIE on September 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM. This members-only session provides subcontractors and suppliers with the opportunity to discuss industry insights and current construction trends and build relationships with your peers, in a confidential setting, hosted by ASAMW advisor attorney Andrew Cook of K&L Gates.
SIE sessions are held the fourth Tuesday of every month, except December and June-August. There is no cost to attend—this is a benefit of your membership—but pre-registration is required. Register
INDUSTRY NEWS
Whiting-Turner is planning a Subcontractor Outreach Event for the DC Region to connect with new potential partners. The networking event will focus on upcoming opportunities and qualification processes. Stay tuned for event details in future newsletters.
Safety First!
This brief YouTube video offers useful tips on driver safety fromPreferred Insurance. It is particularly valuable for construction companies managing company vehicles. Watch here.
What’s Wrong with ‘Apples to Apples’ Comparisons?
ASAMW Member Chad Prinkey with Well Built Construction Consulting wrote an article for Construction Dive where he offered interesting perspectives on customer bid comparisons. Read the article here.
Congratulations
to Thompson Greenspon’s Gray Coyner, an active ASAMW member, on his appointment as the 2025–26 President for the Construction Industry CPAs and Consultants Association (CICPAC).
Your Input Needed on Non-Payment Issues
Are you currently awaiting payment for work you have completed and properly invoiced for? We need to hear from you. There is a problem with non-payment that might be addressed by legislation, and we are seeking examples to support our position.
According to Siteline, the average subcontractor waits 96 days for payment, and 74 percent of subcontractors were floating their businesses with retirement savings. That number was just 30 percent in 2019. In the DMV, most owners require a clause in the subcontract stating that you are in breach if you stop work. But some states allow contractors and their subcontractors to stop work if they have not been paid on a timely basis.
We’re looking to find out how overdue your payment is and if it is for base contract or change order work. No one will be identified without their consent. Please contact us at [email protected] and a member of our Legislative Committee will follow up with you.
Clark has White House – What about Commander’s Stadium?
Subs are lining up to compete for work on the RFK/Commanders stadium and the White House Ballroom. The agreement between the DC Council and the Commanders contains requirements for hiring DC residents (First Source) that exceed previous versions. Companies in DC’s Ward 7 will have distinct advantages in obtaining this work. Although not official, Clark seems to have the inside track on this project. Learn more in the Washington Post report on the stadium deal. Work should begin soon on the $200 million White House Ballroom that Clark is leading. Learn more in the Construction Dive article.
Technology Spotlight - HITT Spot on in HQ Project in Virginia
A Washington Business Journal article (behind subscriber firewall) offers a look at the Spot 2 Robot made by Boston Dynamics that is being used in HITT’s headquarters project in Falls Church. Brian Potter, author of “The Origins of Efficiency,” states that construction is ripe for technological innovation, a point he has been making since he was the chief of engineering at Katerra. He contends that factory-built construction is the wave of the future.
It remains to be seen if the GC Partners of ASAMW and others in the area will embrace technological innovations. One of the main benefits of being an ASAMW member is our unique ability to bring the issues you face as a subcontractor to the major GCs in the area. If you have GC issues or concerns that are relevant to the DMV subcontractor community, let us know at [email protected].
Retainage Laws Across the DMV
The law requires no more than 5% retainage on public work in Virginia, 5% on both public and private in Maryland, and no requirements in DC. But the problem is the definition of substantial completion is up to personal interpretation. ConsensusDocs defines substantial completion as, “the Work is sufficiently complete in accordance with the Contract Documents so that Owner may occupy or utilize the Project…for the use for which it is intended, without unapproved disruption.”
Efficient Permitting
According to Construction Dive, when it comes to permitting, Virginia is ranked eighth best and Maryland is the fourth worst in efficient permitting. DC is not ranked in this study. Read the article.
ADVOCACY
Federal – ASA National is monitoring the Department of Defense Authorization Bill for FY 26 since it contains provisions that impact subcontractors and others in construction. This bill is expected to improve change orders by:
- Allowing small businesses to request an equitable adjustment to the contracting officer if the contracting officer places a change order without the agreement of the small business.
- Requiring the federal government to pay at least 50% of the cost from the change order upon receipt of the equitable adjustment.
Contact us if you think this will help solve some change order problems.
DC – The DC Council is on Summer Break until the second week in September. At that time we will be meeting with Council Member Kenyan McDuffie on ways to improve his bill to protect subcontractors’ payment for work completed.
MD – ASA of Baltimore is moving forward to get lobbying help to promote and pass legislation similar to that which we are working on in DC.
VA – Pre-filing of bills in Virginia will begin on Nov. 17, 2025. We will keep an eye on any bills pre-filed that might affect Subcontractors. The 2026 Session will begin in January.
August 28, 2025 - National Family Business Forum (NFBF) ASA National Webinar
September 4, 2025 - Fall Golf Tournament Reception & Golf Clinic Space Available!
September 9, 2025 – DMW Construction Horizons, ASAMW/CFMA Joint Event
September 12, 2025 –GC Partner Meet & Greet with The Christman Company
September 16-18, 2025 - Subexcel - ASA National Annual Conference
September 23, 2025 - *Members Only* SIE
October 2, 2025 - GC Partner Meet & Greet with The Trinity Group
December 9, 2025 - Economic Construction Sector Outlook ASA National Webinar
March 7, 2026 - SAVE THE DATE - 62nd Annual Subby Awards Gala
