Recovery Act Reports

Monthly Update Report Data

Signed by the President on February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) seeks to strengthen the U.S. economy through the creation of new jobs, aiding State and local governments with budget shortfalls, and investing in the long-term health of the Nation's economic prosperity. Under the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy will receive approximately $40 billion for various energy, environmental, and science programs and initiatives. To have an immediate stimulative impact on the U.S. economy, the Department's stated goal is to ensure that these funds are spent as expeditiously as possible, without risking transparency and accountability. Given the Department's almost total reliance on the acquisition process (contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, etc.) to carry out its mission, enhanced focus on contract administration and, specifically, the work performed by Federal acquisition officials is of vital importance as the unprecedented flow of funds begins under the Recovery Act.
As the largest civilian contracting agency in the Federal government, sound contract administration policies as well as a stable, experienced acquisition workforce are essential components for the effective execution and performance of the Department's core missions. In recent years, the concern over the availability of acquisition professionals in sufficient numbers to provide effective contract administration has been recognized as one of the Department's most significant management challenges. The Department's enhanced responsibilities under the Recovery Act underscore the importance of this challenge.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law on February 17, 2009, as a way to, among other things, jumpstart the U.S. economy, create or save millions of jobs, spur technological advances in science and health, and invest in environmental protection activities. The Recovery Act will require agencies to implement an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability that will permit the
American people to determine how and for what purpose their tax dollars are being spent. To assist Federal agencies with carrying out their Recovery Act responsibilities, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently issued guidance designed to meet crucial accountability objectives regarding the distribution of funds, transparency of agency efforts to the public, and achievement of program goals.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law on February 17, 2009, as a way to jumpstart the U.S. economy, create or save millions of jobs, spur technological advances in science and health, and invest in the Nation's energy future. This national effort will require an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability to ensure that U.S. citizens know where their tax dollars are going and how they are being spent. As part of the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy will receive more than $38 billion to support a number of science, energy, and environmental initiatives. Additionally, the Department's authority to make or guarantee energy-related loans has increased to about $127 billion. The Department plans to disburse the vast majority of the funds it receives through grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other financial instruments.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law on February 17, 2009, as a way to jumpstart the U.S. economy, create or save millions of jobs, spur technological advances in science and health, and invest in the Nation's energy
future. This national effort will require an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability to ensure that U.S. citizens know where their tax dollars are going and how they are being spent. As part of the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy will receive
more than $38 billion to support a number of science, energy, and environmental initiatives. Additionally, the Department's authority to make or guarantee energy-related loans has increased to about $127 billion. The Department plans to disburse the vast majority of the
funds it receives through grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other financial instruments.

Under the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Department of Energy will receive approximately $40 billion for various energy initiatives. The Recovery Act will have a significant impact on the operations and activities of the Department and, in turn, the Office of Inspector General. In recognition of the need for effective oversight to protect taxpayer interests, the Recovery Act includes the creation of the Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board and mandates specific actions by the Inspectors General.5

In 2008, the Department of Energy's (Department) Office of Science (Science) issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement seeking applications from the scientific community for the establishment of Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs). The purpose of the EFRCs is to integrate the talent and expertise of leading scientists to accelerate the rate of scientific breakthroughs needed to create advanced energy technologies for the 21st century. The EFRCs are to pursue the fundamental understanding necessary to meet the global need for abundant, clean, and economical energy. The EFRC research areas include solar energy, electricity storage, materials sciences, biofuels, advanced nuclear systems, and carbon capture and sequestration.