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The Local Infrastructure Hub hosted a session on Tuesday, March 25 at 2 p.m. ET to discuss effective strategies for grant implementation during an administration transition. The session featured Matthew Hanson, Managing Director of Grants and Policy at Witt O’Brien’s. A leading expert in pre- and post-award grants management and agency operations, he outlined key steps municipalities should take to safeguard, secure, and implement infrastructure investments. See the accompanying slide deck here.
Key Insights Shared
Terminology is important.
This administration has outlined its priorities, and cities should tailor their applications to align with the funder’s goals. Shift some of the application language away from DEI and climate outcomes, and focus on the programmatic purpose. If this alignment doesn’t suit your city’s project or community, explore other available grant programs.
Consider the costs being incurred.
Until your city has a signed grant agreement, the grant has not been awarded, and Hanson emphasized that cities should avoid incurring costs before the agreement is finalized. Even with a signed agreement, many cities are seeing project costs rise due to funding delays. It’s important to assess whether a project remains viable, with or without federal grant funds. Cities should discuss the project’s importance to the community and decide if they will proceed, even if it requires using local general fund dollars to cover the costs.
Stay in compliance.
Stay in compliance. Go back and review the Notice of Funding Opportunity, the Grant Agreement, agency policy, and self monitor to make sure your city is in compliance. Although many agency personnel are operating under gag orders, continue to submit all items to them, even if you’re not getting a response. Submit prior authorizations for procurement, property disposition, quarterly reports, etc. even if your program is currently on pause, because you do not want to give a reason to terminate your award.
Engage with your Congressional delegations. When an agency makes award decisions, they first tell congressional offices. This allows congressional representatives to get their own press releases ready. These freezes have put these congressional leaders in an uncomfortable position because many have publicly spoken about the award and how their advocacy helped secure it. Therefore, it is critical to reach out to your representatives to let them know that you haven’t gotten a grant agreement yet. They can then go back to the federal agency and try to get that release.