U.S. Federal Grant Interactive Listening Session Set for Dec. 3

AAPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will co-host a Federal Assistance Domestic Preference Interactive Listening Session on Thursday, December 3, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern). The discussion is intended to raise awareness of domestic preference rules (Buy America and Buy American) and highlight best practices that can minimize project management disruptions arising from these federal grant requirements.

There’s often uncertainty and/or confusion among potential federal grant applicants and grant awardees about the U.S. government’s domestic preference requirements prior to award and post award.  Further, grant awardees may enter a grant agreement with USDOT with the understanding of the domestic preference provisions, but fail to plan for compliance with the requirements. This can jeopardize the viability of grant agreements and have a substantial impact on the anticipated grant budget or work plan.

In addition, U.S. domestic manufacturers may have the capabilities to produce needed equipment, but may not be aware of the need nor the market size.

The purpose of this Interactive Listening Session is to solicit comments and feedback from port industry stakeholders regarding U.S. domestic preference laws and regulations that pertain to all port infrastructure projects that utilize federal funds, and to help ensure that U.S. manufacturers are aware of the growing market for domestically-produced infrastructure needed in federal grant awards at ports.

Register here for the free Federal Assistance Domestic Preference Interactive Listening Session on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST.