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With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, as well as other federal funding increases, local governments are spending more federal money on infrastructure than at any point in recent years. But to ensure successful project implementation, agencies need will need to understand and comply with federal rules that may differ from their standard practices. Best Best & Krieger will be providing an overview of the procurement rules when utilizing federal grants, such as Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (part of the American Rescue Plan), as well as best practices in implementing the rules. The goal of the seminar is to learn and understand federal restrictions on procuring property and services when subject to the Office of Management and Budget’s “Uniform Guidance”.

Michael Maurer is a partner at Best Best & Krieger, with a practice focused on guiding clients through the process of constructing and improving public infrastructure and facilities. He advises on major construction and renovation projects, and works with agencies to implement alternative procurement options, helping clients deliver projects on-time and on-budget. He has drafted and negotiated complex construction and development agreements for a broad range of public agency clients, including cities, water districts, community college districts, ports, healthcare agencies, and others. Mike serves as City Attorney to the cities of San Jacinto and La Habra Heights and as Assistant City Attorney to the City of Arcadia.

Craig Hayes is an associate at Best Best & Krieger’s Indian Wells office, serving as construction counsel to public clients throughout the nation.  Craig advises on all aspects of public works construction, including drafting construction contract documents; contract negotiations; insurance and bond matters; contract administration and closeout; construction claims and dispute resolution and more. Craig has extensive experience advising clients on projects with different types of funding streams, including federally funded projects subject to 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance).  Craig has helped advise the Port of Houston Authority on, among other things, their Project Partnership Agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers for the Port’s $1 billion multi-year dredging project.  Craig has also helped advise the Gulf Coast Protection District in Texas in a similar capacity on their multi-billion dollar project with the Army Corps of Engineers. Prior to law school, Craig worked for seven years as a project engineer and project manager for a large construction company.

Ana D. Schwab is Director of Government Relations at Best Best & Krieger and works out of the firm’s Washington D.C. office. She works with communities, special districts and stakeholders on matters regarding water, wastewater, environmental and infrastructure issues, including the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for such projects. Ana draws on her years of experience working in Washington, D.C. to track, advance and guide the development of legislative and regulatory language to build solutions for clients. Before joining Best Best & Krieger LLP, Ana served as a legislative coordinator and legislative assistant at two national law firms. She also served as professional staff for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives.