Summary

On March 25, 2015, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) suspended Premier Constructors, Inc. (Premier), West Columbia, South Carolina, and it’s President, Freeman Bell, from conducting business with the United States.

FHWA based the suspensions on adequate evidence to determine that Premier and Bell committed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) fraud when Bell provided false certifications, on Premier's behalf, for subcontracted traffic signal work on a federally funded roadway project in South Carolina. Bell indicated Premier conducted a commercially useful function on the project, when in fact they did not.

UPDATE: In May 2015, FHWA lifted the suspensions and Premier and Bell entered into a three year Administrative Settlement Agreement with the FHWA, whereby they accepted responsibility for the alleged misconduct. In the FHWA Administrative Agreement they agreed to the implementation of a Corporate Compliance Program, appointment of a Corporate Compliance Officer, and retention of an independent monitor to evaluate the company's performance of the agreement.

Note: Exclusion actions (suspensions and debarments) are frequently for a specific period of time and the System for Award Management "Sam.gov" should be consulted to find whether a company is currently excluded.