Some construction industry groups are concerned about a potential proposal from the White House they say would allow federal procurement officers to “blacklist” contractors based on an new pre-screening scoring system.

President Obama reportedly is considering issuing an executive order to make changes in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, says Marco Giamberardino, a senior director at the Associated General Contractors. He says the proposal may resemble recommendations from the National Employment Law Center for “high-road” contracting, which gives preference to firms that provide wages or benefits exceeding current federal requirements. The recommendations also raise questions about what criteria would be used to deem a contractor responsible, he says.