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Friday, March 20, 2009 Archive | Client Login
Over the past two weeks, Agency officials at every level including: states, counties, cities, and school districts, were educated by the administration on the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). They are returning home armed with the knowledge of the rules, programs and how to take advantage of available ARRA funds. As these state and local agencies begin to finalize the details of their targeted projects, it is a great time to connect with the decision makers to offer your support and begin to position your company.
The administration also met with the States’ Recovery Act Implementation Representatives, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the Council of Great City Schools. Each group convened with administration officials including President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretaries, Senators, and Representatives to learn about the details and timing of each program. They were encouraged to take advantage of all of the funding programs although were cautioned on sensible use of these funds.
As you prepare to pursue state and local ARRA funded projects keep in mind the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) apply since federal funds are being used. The most common regulations to consider are the required set asides for small business and businesses owned by minorities, women and the disadvantaged. In addition, prevailing wage requirements also apply as set forth by the Davis-Bacon Act. Click here to learn more about prevailing wage . Finally there is a provision to encourage the use of American iron, steel and manufactured goods, but there are quite a few exceptions. To read the Buy American provision click here.
Onvia Updates the Recovery.org
Onvia continues to track the economic recovery spending and has added several new charts to our beta site Recovery.org. In the coming weeks we will be introducing real time views of the spending down to the community level so book mark the site and share this with your colleagues that need to track the recovery funding.
1. Highway project funding which includes projects funded in part or in full by recovery funding. 50% must be obligated within 120 days of enactment.
2. Spending by Program for Each State shows the allocation of funds by program (e.g. Education, Highway Construction, etc.) for every state and Washington D.C.
50% of the $27.5B of the Highway spending must be obligated in 120 days Thank you for continuing to send in your questions, we will continue to address a few each week - mike@onvia.com.
Mike Pickett
Onvia President
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Answers to Your Questions
| Question |
How will the funds flow to agencies at every level? |
| Answer |
This is going to vary widely by program. For example, transportation will rely heavily on formula allocation where as energy and law enforcement initiatives will be primarily grant funded. As we confirm projects that will move forward using recovery dollars, we will provide advance notice and formal advertisements with all available details. You can locate the projects that are being funded by the federal recovery in your subscription by searching for “Economic Recovery Spending |
| Question |
Now that Recovery.gov is active, when do we expect to see projects posted on there? |
| Answer |
Specific project information on Recovery.gov will be very limited. Federal agencies must begin reporting by mid-May and States by mid-July, but there will be considerable gaps in the detail. Onvia has launched the beta of Recovery.org and will be reporting on the funds. You will also find the projects in your Onvia subscription. |
| Question |
Can you tell me by region how much will be spent on IT that is directly related to the passage of the recovery act and can this be broken down by different types of IT spend? |
| Answer |
In addition to the $605M allocated for educational technology investment, technology spending will be part of all major programs from school modernization to healthcare. There is not a universal, detailed view of how and where technology investments will be made.. |
Conferences
Recovery Act Implementation Conference
Vice President Biden and President Obama hosted the Recovery Act Implementation Conference made up of those responsible for the Economic Recovery initiatives in their respective states. Both stressed for accountability, transparency, and the sensible use of funds.
National Association of Counties
NACo's Legislative Conference wrapped up Tuesday (March 10th), highlighted by speeches from four Obama Cabinet secretaries: Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Energy Secretary Steven Chu spoke at the morning's general session, while Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke at Tuesday's luncheon. You can access the conference report by clicking here.
National League of Cities
Attorney General Holder, Secretaries Donovan, LaHood, Chu and Napolitano, EPA Administrator Jackson, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett spoke to the members of the National League of Cities in Washington, D.C. on March 16, 2009. Central to the meeting was the implementation of the Economic Recovery Act. Susan Collins gave an overview on the ARRA 2009 and Eric Holder encouraged the attendees to apply for their share of the grant money..
Informative Articles
Biden Warns States to Spend Wisely
Vice President Biden -- whom President Obama put in charge of overseeing the implementation of the stimulus package -- told the 49 out of 50 states represented at a White House conference this morning that they must spend stimulus money wisely, or risk losing help from the federal government in the future.
His tough talk seemed meant to show that, as Obama said at his recent address to Congress, "nobody messes with Joe." "This is a crisis," Biden told the states. "It requires the exercise of disciplined accountability and transparency like nothing we've ever done... I'm not kidding about that."
He continued, "The work you're doing is gonna be critical to the economic well being of the country. If we don't get this right, folks, this is the end of our ability to convince the Congress that anything should go to the states."
MSNBC, Athena Jones,
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/12/1833523.aspx
V.P. Biden Address Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation Conference
Vice President Joe Biden spoke to attendees of the White House Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation Conference which has been created to ensure that money from the Recovery act is effectively spent.
CSPAN, March 12, 2009
http://www.cspan.org/Watch/watch.aspx?MediaId=HP-A-16305
President Obama Address Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation Conference
Pres. Obama addressed the crowd on the need for transparent and efficient spending
CSPAN, March 12, 2009
http://www.cspan.org/Watch/watch.aspx?MediaId=HP-A-16307
Holder Encourages Cities to Apply for Police Funds
Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday encouraged cash-strapped mayors and other city officials to apply for their share of $1 billion in new grant money to pay for 5,500 more police officers.
The Justice Department said the grants will be awarded through a competitive application process that takes into account the local impact of the economic crisis, crime statistics and plans for community policing.
Associated Press, Nedra Pickler, March 16, 2009
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfgBym1-qSkFPJg1xRsM9ABC4xswD96VBTV02
Broadband Grants
The U.S. Congress has appropriated $4.7 billion to establish a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program for awards to eligible entities to develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies.
Of these funds, $250 million will be available for innovative programs that encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services; at least $200 million will be available to upgrade technology and capacity at public computing centers, including community colleges and public libraries; $10 million will be a transfer to the Office of Inspector General for the purposes of BTOP audits and oversight. Up to $350 million of the BTOP funding is designated for the development and maintenance of statewide broadband inventory maps.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, March 10, 2009
Watch video of the first meeting at: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/
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