Federal Programs

The Alabama State Department of Education is hosting a workshop on February 17, 2027, to train potential sponsors of federally funded child nutrition programs. This initiative emphasizes regulatory compliance and program requirements to enhance participation in initiatives like the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched enrollment for the 2026 and 2027 Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. This represents a significant shift in farm policy, offering new opportunities for contractors in agricultural data management and risk services.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs have resumed operations after a seven-month hiatus, now implementing new regulations. These changes will affect eligible organizations and require enhanced compliance measures, emphasizing longer preparation times and strategic targeting of submissions to individual agencies.

The USDA's Farm Service Agency will host a webinar on January 30, 2025, alongside the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to enhance understanding of the 2025 Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. This initiative indicates a potential rise in demand for contractors focused on agricultural compliance and education services.

The Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) has adopted four key recommendations aimed at improving federal program efficiency. These changes are expected to streamline interagency communications and impact procurement processes, offering best practices to federal agencies that may modify compliance standards and contract administration.

The USDA's Farm Service Agency and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will host a webinar on January 30, 2025, to educate commodity crop producers about the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. The event aims to enhance understanding and participation, reflecting ongoing federal investment in agricultural revenue risk management.

The General Services Administration has sold the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills, MN, for **$3.58 million**. This sale demonstrates the federal initiative to streamline property management, reduce liabilities, and stimulate local economic growth through strategic asset disposal.