INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA)
Download FFIS’s IIJA State Allocations Spreadsheet FFIS continues to populate its IIJA spreadsheet with new announcements on program implementation; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. A dedicated tab includes recently issued Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). New allocations are provided for:
- Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Program (revised allocations)
- Safe Streets and Roads for All (FY 2023 Round 1 Planning and Demonstration Grants)
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Releases Draft Roadmap to Improve Clean Energy Interconnection, Issues Request for Information (RFI) on Challenges and Solutions Outlined in Roadmap The roadmap is available here. Responses to the RFI are due November 22.
DOE Awards $45 Million to Nine Nonprofits to Reduce Energy Use and Costs in Buildings
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Announces $100 Million Project Agreement to Clean Up Contaminated Sediments from the Cuyahoga River Gorge Dam
EPA Posts Notice of New Information Collection Request for Clean Vehicles Programs The information collection relates to four programs:
- Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants
- Clean School Bus Program (funded by the IIJA)
- Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program (funded by the Inflation Reduction Act [IRA])
- Clean Ports Program (funded by the IRA)
Comments are due December 26.
HOMELAND SECURITY
- BRIC and FMA Funding Opportunities: October 31, 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
- BRIC and FMA Funding Opportunities for Tribal Governments: November 2, 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
- BRIC and FMA Application Pitfalls: November 7, 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
FEMA is using a single registration form for all three webinars.
FEMA to Host Two Webinars on the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Covered topics will include how to apply for the program and how to manage revolving loan capitalization grants.
INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation Announces $65 Million for Six Rural Water Projects
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Posts Notice of Information Collection for New Transportation Access Pilot Program The program’s intent is to improve transportation planning by measuring the level of access by surface transportation modes to important destinations, disaggregating the level of access by surface transportation mode by a variety of categories ( e.g., population or freight commodities), and assessing the change in accessibility that would result from transportation investments. Comments are due December 29.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Awards $82.6 Million for Planning and Demonstration Projects Through Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program A list of awards is here. DOT will announce additional awards later this year from the more than $1 billion FY 2023 funding opportunity.
FHWA Announces Availability of $40 Million to Advance Connected and Interoperable Vehicle Technologies Applications are due January 17, 2024 (funding opportunity). FHWA also announced its intent to share a draft deployment plan for public comment to capture feedback from stakeholders toward a collective plan for the deployment of interoperable connectivity.
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) to Host Panel Discussion on Equitable Community-Level Outcomes While Deploying Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging It will be held November 8, 2:00 p.m. ET (register at the link above).
Joint Office Posts Technical Assistance Fact Sheet for EV Charging and Related Infrastructure Deployment
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Proposes Changes to Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) Requirements The proposed rule is in response to changes made in the IIJA. The rule would streamline the PTSCTP communication process and clarify voluntary PTSCTP participation and refresher training requirements. Comments are due December 26. FTA will host a webinar on the proposed changes November 8, 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET (register).
FHWA Announces Availability of $47.5 Million for FYs 2023-2024 for Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration The program provides funding as an incentive to accelerate the deployment and adoption of proven innovative practices and technologies in highway transportation projects. FHWA anticipates that $10 million will be made available from FY 2023 funds, and $12.5 million will be made available for each of FYs 2024-2026. Applications are due based on fiscal year funding; for FY 2023 funds, the Notice of Intent (NOI) deadline is December 12, and full applications are due January 23, 2024.
FTA Issues Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on Worker Hours of Service and Fatigue Risk Management FTA seeks public input in two areas to inform consideration of regulatory requirements: hours of service and fatigue risk management programs. FTA seeks information to better understand current industry practices, priorities, requirements, and the costs and benefits of federal requirements. Comments are due December 29.
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA)
Download IRA State Allocations Spreadsheet The spreadsheet, updated weekly, lists state allocations and estimates, summary information on eligibility and other grant features, and links to additional information. New allocations are provided for:
- HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (round 1 “Leading Edge” cohort awards)
COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Announces Latest IRA Investments
- $60 million for Columbia River basin hatcheries
- $20 million for regional fishery management councils
- $20 million for Gulf of Mexico reef fish science
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Selects 186 Environmental Justice Projects to Receive $128 Million The projects were selected through two programs, both of which are funded under the $2.8 billion Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants program:
- Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program (project list; funding detail at bottom of document)
- Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program (project list; funding detail at bottom of document)
CORONAVIRUS
FFIS Updates COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New or updated figures are provided for:
- FEMA Public Assistance
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Maintenance of effort (MOE) waiver request status
- State Invitation and Interest Form for strategic planning and continued recovery
- Local educational agency (LEA) maintenance of equity reporting update with optional template for states to collect and submit LEA data
- October 23 Newsflash, summarizing recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources
HEALTH
HHS Secretary Sends Letter on COVID-19 Therapeutics The secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a letter to COVID-19 therapeutic manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and the health care payer community on the transition of treatments from the government to traditional health care distribution channels, which begins November 1.
CDC Seeks to Continue, Expand National Wastewater Surveillance System for COVID-19 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) originally published this notice on July 7 and is now providing an additional 30 days for comments.
TREASURY
Treasury Releases Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $75 Million State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program The Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP) is for technical assistance in the areas of legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to very small businesses and businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Applications will be due 60 calendar days from the date that the application is available.
Treasury Updates SLFRF NEU FAQs The update adds one question related to determining when a state’s distribution of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to non-entitlement units of local government (NEUs) is considered final.
OTHER NEWS
BUDGET UPDATE
Administration Unveils Domestic Spending Request The $56 billion supplemental spending request, which is separate from the $105 billion request for Ukraine and Israel, includes:
- $23.5 billion for disaster response
- $16 billion to extend the American Rescue Plan’s (ARP’s) Child Care Stabilization Grants
- $6 billion for affordable connectivity
- $6 billion for national security and energy independence
- $1.6 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- $1.55 billion for State Opioid Response Grants to combat the fentanyl crisis
- $1.05 billion for international food assistance
- $220 million for federal wildland firefighter salaries
House Passes FY 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill
GENERAL
OMB Releases Draft Report to Congress on Benefits and Costs of Federal Regulations and Agency Compliance with Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requests comments on the draft report by December 15.
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Awards $15.5 Million to Hispanic-Serving Institutions of Higher Education The grants will fund 25 projects in food and agricultural sciences across 21 institutions. A list of grants is here.
EDUCATION
ED Awards Teacher and School Leader (TSL) Incentive Grants FY 2023 awards total $114.8 million and support 29 projects. A list of recipients is included in the press release.
Administration Releases Final Rules to Strengthen Accountability for Colleges and Consumer Protections for Students The new rules will strengthen ED’s ability to protect students and taxpayers from the effects of sudden closures, restrict colleges from withholding course credits paid with federal money from students’ transcripts, and require colleges to clearly communicate to students how much financial aid they will receive. The regulations go into effect July 1, 2024. A fact sheet is here.
Policy Letter Addresses Fentanyl Overdose Epidemic The letter shares resources to help schools and communities prevent drug use before it begins and keep students alive long enough to get help in the event of an overdose or poisoning.
Technical Assistance Circular Issued for State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program The circular aims to support state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies in their efforts to make changes that will promote meaningful and sustained engagement with individuals with disabilities throughout the VR process.
ED Releases Draft Regulatory Text to Provide Debt Relief The text includes language to provide debt relief for four groups of borrowers, including those who:
- Currently have outstanding federal student loan balances that exceed what they originally borrowed
- Have loans that first entered repayment 25 or more years ago
- Took out loans to attend career-training programs that created unreasonable debt loads or provided insufficient earnings for graduates, as well as borrowers who attended institutions with unacceptably high student loan default rates
- The secretary determines are eligible for forgiveness under repayment plans like income-driven repayment or targeted relief programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness or closed school loan discharges except they have not applied for such relief
This website provides links to materials related to the negotiated rulemaking process.
ENERGY
DOE Opens Enrollment for Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) Campaign The campaign engages public sector building owners and other market stakeholders to encourage the use of ESPC and expand the adoption of best practices to achieve significant energy, environmental, and cost savings benefits. The goal is for participants to collectively achieve $1 billion in measured and verified savings by 2030. Information on enrollment is available here.
DOE Releases 2023 Better Buildings Initiative Progress Report The report summarizes the achievements of DOE’s Better Buildings public and private sector partners since the initiative’s inception in 2011.
DOE Selects 11 Projects to Receive $36 Million for Projects to Advance Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal, Capture, and Storage Technologies
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Awards $59 Million for FY 2021 Target Airshed Grants
HEALTH
CMS Releases Follow Up FAQs on Termination of Coverage of Children During a Continuous Eligibility Period The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) document addresses termination of coverage due to non-payment of premiums.
HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) Report Examines Medicaid Third-Party Liability Requirements The report highlights the challenges states face in meeting the requirements and recommends that CMS develop an action plan to assist states.
CMS Publishes Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances The listing includes manual instructions, regulations, and other notices published in the Federal Register from July through September 2023.
Federal Departments Release Proposed Rule on Surprise Billing Payment Dispute Process HHS, the Department of Labor (DOL), and Treasury released a proposed rule that provides a federal independent dispute resolution process for providers, facilities, and health plans to resolve disputes for certain out-of-network charges. A fact sheet is available here. Comments are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
HHS, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Release Cybersecurity Healthcare Toolkit
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Releases $3.7 Billion in FY 2024 LIHEAP Funding The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) release includes funding under the continuing resolution (CR) plus $100 million from the IIJA.
ACF Launches New LIHEAP Eligibility Tool The tool allows households to identify whether they are eligible for assistance.
ACF Posts Child Support Access and Visitation Report The FY 2022 report provides state-level data on program participants and services provided.
ACF Releases Guidance on Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Annual Report The FY 2023 report is due March 31, 2024.
ACF Report Examines Characteristics and Financial Circumstances of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Recipients The report provides state data for FY 2022.
HOMELAND SECURITY
FEMA Provides Expedited Submission, Review, and Decision Process for Period of Performance (POP) Extensions Under Certain FY 2021 Preparedness Grant Programs The covered programs include the State Homeland Security Program, Port Security Grant Program, and Transit Security Grant Program, among others. POP extension requests for these programs are due June 14, 2024.
HOUSING
Administration Encourages More Commercial-to-Residential Conversions A guidebook helps to identify federal resources to finance such conversions. A fact sheet is here. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a related notice on how Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds can be used to boost housing supply, including acquisition, rehabilitation, and commercial-to-residential conversions.
HUD OIG Audit Addresses Duplication of Benefits When Using CDBG Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Funds The audit made several recommendations, including that HUD perform monitoring and review of grantees’ detailed procedures for preventing duplication of benefits for each grant activity within the first year after HUD signs the grant agreement or before grantees process applications for assistance.
HUD Issues Proposed Rule on Modernizing Delivery of Housing Counseling Services The proposed rule would allow housing counseling agencies to use alternative communication methods, including virtual meeting tools, in lieu of providing in-person services. Comments close December 26.
HUD Proposes Rule to Remove Criminal Conviction Restrictions for Fair Housing Testers The proposed rule would eliminate the tester restrictions for Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grantees and for Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) agencies that forbid recipients from using fair housing testers with prior felony convictions or convictions involving fraud or perjury. Comments close January 2, 2024.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) Authorizes $18.28 Billion in Rural Broadband Deployment Funding The funding is going to 368 companies through the Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (Enhanced A-CAM) program.
NUTRITION
USDA’s Economic Research Service Releases Report: Household Food Security in the United States in 2022 The report finds that 17 million households (12.8%) were food insecure at some point during the year.
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Approves All State Plans for Replacing Stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Further details on the plans and timelines for implementation are available here, and a broader list of resources, timelines, and answers to questions about stolen benefits here.
FNS Posts Memo Clarifying Flexibilities for Child Nutrition Programs Experiencing Milk Supply Shortages Meals may be served without fluid milk during an emergency shortage.
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collection for Study of State SNAP Agencies’ Approaches to Customer Service Comments will be accepted through November 30.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Posts Summary Document of All FY 2023 Airport Improvement Program Awards
DOT Issues Notice of New Survey of States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations on Equity in Transportation Planning and Investment Comments are due December 26.