SLAC has received $68.3 million in stimulus funds under ARRA from the DOE. Implementation plans at SLAC are in high-gear, with all ARRA projects being coordinated through a working group by Mark Reichanadter. Requisitioners are reminded to state, "Recovery Act," on each ARRA requisition, just ahead of the description of the goods or services being requested.

A key ARRA objective is to get the funding into the general economy quickly in a transparent manner. Subcontracts awarded on a fixed price, lump sum basis using competitive procedures for domestic products will see little change from routine SLAC procurement purchasing processes. Outside those parameters, subcontracts become more challenging and require more scrutiny and approvals. All ARRA awards require SSO consent and may be posted to www.recovery.gov for ARRA procurements exceeding $25,000, unless exempt.

SLAC has modified business systems to meet ARRA challenges. Planning and guidance documents have been posted to the Procurement Web site and the ARRA SharePoint site (restricted access). Useful information on ARRA guidelines is also published on these sites to help you keep abreast of the new and changing ARRA guidance.

ARRA funds, using segregable obligation documentation, must be awarded by September 30, 2010 and paid by September 30, 2015. At this time, ARRA funds cannot be used to place Web-based orders, e.g., Grainger, Dell, Corporate Express, etc., Blanket Order Releases, or to make P-Card purchases. ARRA ordering must be by requisition through Procurement.

Buy American requirements as one would imagine are very strict under ARRA guidelines. The ARRA mandates that all iron, steel and manufactured products used in ARRA funded public building and works projects be produced in the United States. SLAC procurement processes now have requirements for suppliers and vendors to certify compliance with ARRA Buy American requirements. Subcontractors will typically impose these certifications throughout their supply chain which may result in longer response times to solicitations.

While ARRA may pose some challenges, SLAC will gain immeasurably as a Laboratory with the acceleration of LUSI and FACET projects and several long overdue infrastructure upgrades. The success of ARRA projects rests with all SLAC personnel involved with ARRA funded work to ensure transparency in meeting award and payment dates.