E.O. 13496 Economy in Government Contracting

Executive Order (E.O.) 13946 included a directive that contracting departments and agencies treat as ?unallowable? the costs of activities undertaken to persuade employees -- whether employees of the Contractor or of any other entity -- to exercise or not to exercise (or concerning the manner of exercising), the right to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of the employees? own choosing. Examples included in the Order include preparing and distributing materials, hiring or consulting legal counsel or consultants, holding meetings (including payment of employees? wages while attending such meetings), and costs of planning or conducting activities by managers, supervisors, or union representatives during work hours.

The E.O. went on to say that notwithstanding the directive, "contracting departments and agencies shall treat as allowable costs incurred in maintaining satisfactory relations between the contractor and its employees, including costs of labor-management committees, employee publications (other than those undertaken to persuade employees to exercise or not to exercise, or concerning the manner of exercising, the right to organize and bargain collectively), and other related activities. "

The order required that within 150 days (or by June 29, 2009) the FAR Council to adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the order.

I haven't seen anything published. Does anyone know the status?