How Government Agencies Can Take Advantage of the IIJA

For leaders in charge of government assets, facilities, and capital planning, smart asset management is vital for the communities that surround them. In a post-pandemic landscape, governmental facilities management and maintenance and operations (M&O) departments are doing more with less.

All the while, infrastructure improvements and repair needs are mounting. Luckily, there are funding opportunities available.

Recently, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), was created and enacted to invest in and improve United States infrastructure, including roads, bridges, airports, public transit, broadband internet, and more.

With approximately $550 billion dedicated for new federal spending over five years on infrastructure projects, and an additional $65 billion for expanding broadband internet access, the IIJA also includes funding for electric vehicle charging stations, clean energy projects, and improvements to water systems — it’s a great time to apply for funding.

So long as you have what you need to meet the requirements.

What to know about the Infrastructure and Jobs Act

There is ample opportunity for government operations and facilities to leverage the IIJA to boost their budgets, since it was enacted with the intent to improve physical infrastructure, create jobs, and support economic growth in the US.

A few provisions of the IIJA include the expansion of access to high-speed internet in rural areas, the repair and modernization of roads and bridges, and improved public transportation, to name a few.

A White House Fact Sheet outlined some additional priorities for the IIJA, including:

• Delivery of clean water and elimination of the lead service lines.
• Upgrading airports and ports to strengthen supply chains and prevent disruptions that contribute to inflation.
• Upgrading power infrastructure to deliver clean, reliable energy and deploying cutting-edge technology to achieve a zero-emissions future.
• Making infrastructure resilient against the impacts of climate change, cyber-attacks, and extreme weather events.

The Government Finance Officers Association revealed that the IIJA has authorized a lot of funding—$1.2 trillion—for transportation and infrastructure spending with $550 billion of that figure going toward “new” investments and programs.

Who can apply for funding from the IIJA?

There are opportunities for a range of entities, including state and local governments, tribes, as well as private organizations involved in infrastructure development. Because the IIJA provides funding for a wide range of infrastructure projects, the specific eligibility requirements for funding will depend on the individual programs and initiatives.

Government agencies that focus on safety, transportation and sustainability or have projects that support resilient infrastructure through pre-disaster mitigation projects are likely to benefit from the IIJA — so long as they can demonstrate their case.

How can your organization qualify for funding?

Going after grants can feel risky for smaller government organizations and agencies, especially if there isn’t enough staff or data available to complete the application. But, technology can make the collection of information easier to help make securing valuable funds possible—even if your facilities or M&O departments are light on staff.

What local agencies need to know about IIJA requirements

To access funds from IIJA, local governments must meet data-driven grant requirements. Specific eligibility requirements will be outlined by relevant federal agencies responsible for administering the funding. By presenting various metrics and assessments to determine the total cost and impact of assets, agencies can prove the impact of receiving funding — and the right tech can make gathering that information easier.

A few requirements to keep in mind when applying for IIJA funding include:

• Total life cycle costing: the IIJA will call for all expenses during the life of assets, including initial and subsequent investments, repairs and maintenance.
• ESG assessment data: applicants will need to include environmental studies, carbon emission and equity impact assessments.
• Climate resiliency qualifier: will require organizations to demonstrate assets' long-term ability to withstand a natural disaster.

Many government functions struggle with capital planning and forecasting—not ideal when taxpayers are counting on you to ensure their hard-earned money and interests are covered. Amidst limited funding, leaders need to make smart business decisions for the communities they serve and take advantage of all available funding opportunities.

Tools to get the right data for funding like the IIJA

Governmental agencies are responsible for complex asset portfolios and must use credible data to justify funding allocation. Smart tools can help government leaders collect and utilize the information they need to qualify for opportunities like the IIJA. An asset lifecycle prediction modeling and capital planning solution can help illuminate funding scenarios to make better investment decisions and use available information to demonstrate your case for funding.

Other funding opportunities for some government agencies

On top of IIJA, there are additional funds available for US-based organizations designed to improve production, jobs and infrastructure.

American Jobs Plan

The American Jobs Plan set aside over $2 trillion in investments for updating aging government buildings, facilities and infrastructure. Organizations that qualify to receive this funding may still be eligible for other opportunities.

Build America Buy America Act

Part of the IIJA, the Build America Buy America Act established a domestic content procurement preference for all federal financial assistance obligated for infrastructure projects after May 14, 2022.

CHIPS and Science Act

The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 provided the Department of Commerce with $50 billion for programs to strengthen the U.S. position in semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing, as well as for investing in American workers.

Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was designed to curb inflation by reducing the deficit, lowering prescription drug prices, and investing into domestic energy production while promoting clean energy.

Lean on Brightly to secure your facilities and infrastructure funds

Brightly can help government agencies overcome the hurdles of getting strategic asset management up-to-date to enable access to the data required to apply for IIJA grants. Our solutions offer visibility into the information associated with lifecycle costing, ESG assessments, climate resiliency and many other evaluations to prepare for the proper allocation and requesting funds.

By leveraging the speed and flexibility of cloud-based Brightly Predictor, you can:

• More accurately predict the future health of the systems and assets you manage
• Clearly communicate decisions using accurate data and visualizations
• Better balance community needs, funding requirements and asset health

When government leaders have the tools they need to model various funding scenarios or show the impact of decision-making across various criteria and asset types, it’s easier to justify funding requirements and communicate compelling data-driven stories to unite stakeholders—and get money from opportunities like the IIJA so your community can thrive!

For more than 20 years, Brightly has transformed how facilities operations and maintenance leaders approach asset management. We work alongside government agencies of all sizes to creatively and strategically tackle some of their biggest challenges, making it simple to gather the right data to get funding for thriving, sustainable communities. Talk with an expert today to learn how.