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Council reviews U.S. Department of Transportation guidance; cautioned to avoid problematic procurement language in federal-funded projects
Summary
Councilors discussed a U.S. Department of Transportation notice about requirements tied to federal financial assistance and warned that certain procurement or DEI language could complicate grants that pass to states and counties.
Council members reviewed a notice that the U.S. Department of Transportation circulated about prohibitions and obligations tied to use of federal financial assistance. The memo, provided to council via staff, stresses non-discrimination requirements and flags that recipients should avoid actions that could jeopardize federal funding.
Council members discussed how the guidance could affect active-transportation grants and other federal or state funding routed through UDOT and county offices. One councilor cautioned that language encouraging procurement preferences such as “women-owned” or similar can create complications when funds flow from the federal to state to local level, and recommended staff seek guidance before including such language in local solicitations or project materials.
Staff advised care in grant language and procurement notices for any project that might feed into state or federal funding programs to avoid disqualification. No changes to current solicitations were made at the work session; councilors asked staff to track guidance and consult legal or grant advisors as needed.
Ending
Staff will monitor U.S. DOT and related guidance and advise the council on appropriate contract and solicitation language for federally funded projects and grant applications.
