Environmental Protection Agency Disallows $663,321 in Costs

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is questioning $663,321 in costs due to a grantee not following required procedures when purchasing A/E services.

The West Rankin Utility Authority allegedly didn't conduct a detailed cost analysis when reviewing proposals for a construction project under an EPA award. The audit also claimed the grantee didn't have an adequate procurement system in place and lacked proper policies and procedures.

The audit finding once again demonstrates how critical it is that grantees comply with all requirements published in OMB A-102.

To access the audit report, please click here.

Don't miss Falmouth Institute's Indian Country Construction Conference, November 17-18, 2009 in Phoenix, AZ.

$17 million Allocated for Tribal Transit Program

Last month the Department of Transportation allocated $17 million in federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2009 for the Federal Transit Administration’s Tribal Transit Program.

The ARRA tribal transit funds will provide grants to Indian tribes for capital expenditures including transit equipment and facilities.  A notice soliciting project proposals was published March 23 in the Federal Register.  The notice includes application procedures, the criteria that FTA will utilize to select projects, and grant terms, conditions, and reporting requirements.

Tribes will have 60 days to submit project proposals.  The Federal Register notice can be found at:http://www.fta.dot.gov/laws/leg_reg_federal_register.html.

Once projects are selected and funding is awarded, tribal recipients must obligate funds by September 30, 2010.  Interested parties are encouraged to contact the nearest FTA Regional Office for additional information on the ARRA Tribal Transit Program.  A contact list of FTA regional offices may be found at http://www.fta.dot.gov/.