Omnibus Funding bill Creates Additional Opportunities for Small Businesses in Transportation

The USDOT’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)has recently released the following newsletter regarding the Omnibus Funding Bill updating our nation’s infrastructure spending by state and local governments.

Omnibus Funding Bill Creates Additional Opportunities for Small Businesses in Transportation

In the recently passed Omnibus funding bill, Congress provided historic levels of funding for infrastructure investments across America.  The dollars shown below are the most significant increases for major programs but not all of the increased funds. As the Department releases funds to support our nation’s roadways, bridges, transit, rail and aviation systems, the Department is committed to a responsible, expeditious, and transparent process that prioritizes safety.

Small businesses benefit from infrastructure spending by state and local governments – The omnibus funding bill made major investments that will revitalize American infrastructure. Infrastructure projects supported by this bill will involve both federal funds and state or local government funding.  As a result, we project increased opportunities for small business participation in transportation related projects across the country.

Increased business opportunities at the federal level- Be on the lookout for funding announcements related to the Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations Act, which provides new transportation investments and is a significant investment in funding the President’s infrastructure improvement goals.  Small businesses should review individual agencies’ procurement forecasts and actively respond to sources sought, requests for information (RFI), and other market research conducted by the federal agencies. Following is a summary of funding provided in the omnibus bill.

FEDERAL HIGHWAYS ADMINISTRATION +$2.525 billion

  • Highway Formula Funds: Additional $2 billion in Federal Highway Formula funding that will enable States to expand the number of highway projects underway.
  • Focus on Federal Lands+$300 million dedicated specifically to support Federal Lands and Tribal highway projects.
  • Focus on Bridge Improvements+$225 million to address needed improvements and deficiencies with bridges.

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION +$1 billion

  • Airport Improvements:  +$1 billion for high-priority airport construction projects with an emphasis on improvements at small and rural airports.

 FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION +$1.066 billion

 FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION +$1.072 billion

  • Northeast Corridor Grants to Amtrak:  +$322 million of which $50 million will bring stations and facilities into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements: +$525 million including $250 million for Grants to support the implementation of Positive Train Control.
  • Federal-State Partnership for State of Good-Repair:  +$225 million for grants to States and localities to address maintenance improvements.

 MULTIMODAL +$1 billion

  • BUILD Grants (formerly TIGER):  Additional $1 billion for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program – tripling the funding provided for this flexible grant program focused on innovative projects that have significant local or regional impact.

The mission of the U. S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is to ensure Small Business policies and goals of the Secretary of Transportation are implemented in a fair, efficient and effective manner. It is also our role to ensure that small businesses have an equitable opportunity to participate in DOT’s direct procurement and federal financial assistance programs.

For additional information about USDOT small business programs, please visit our website at www.transportation.gov/osdbu or contact us via email at [email protected] or 202.366.1930.