RFPs, Dollars Start Flowing from Recovery Act Federal agencies are getting down to the business of spending the billions of dollars allocated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as they seek sources and release RFPs for new projects. At the same time, program managers and contracting shops are struggling to cope with a sudden, dramatic increase in their workload. Among the initiatives announced so far, GSA said it has $5.55 billion for construction projects in federal buildings and $300 million for the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles. The Recovery Act directs $750 million to renovate and construct federal buildings and courthouses, $300 million to renovate and construct land ports of entry and $4.5 billion to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings. The departments of Energy and Housing and Urban Development agreed to coordinate their programs to weatherize homes. HUD and DOE will spend $16 billion in economic recovery funds to retrofit existing homes. DOE will invest $5 billion in weatherization; $3.2 billion for a new Energy and Environment Block Grant that cities and states can use to retrofit homes; $3.1 for the State Energy Program; and other programs. HUD has already allocated much of its new money, including $4.5 billion to renovate and upgrade public and Native American housing as well as $250 million for energy retrofits of privately owned federally assisted housing. The Health and Human Services Department will award $155 million in grants to build or expand 126 health centers. Many departments and agencies have begun issuing RFPs for stimulus-funded projects: The Naval Facilities Engineering Command announced plans for a $400 million, five-year set-aside construction contract to be awarded to five small businesses. The contractors will perform new construction, repair, demolition and renovation projects at Navy facilities worldwide. (RFP number N6274209R1180) NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston has issued a sources sought notice for roof and ledge replacement on its buildings. It is seeking 8(a), HUBZone and service-disabled veteran-owned sources headquartered in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma or Texas. (No. NNJ09ZBJ010L) The Air Force released a pre-solicitation announcement for a HUBZone set-aside to replace electrical lines at Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND. The project is valued from $1 million to $5 million and is funded under the Recovery Act.  (No. FA4659-09-R-0009) The Forest Service issued a sources sought notice for architect-engineer firms to work on projects in northern Wisconsin and Michigan. (No. AG-569R-S-09-0011) The Department of Energy’s Golden, CO, Field Office said it will issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement for research on energy-efficient information and communication technology. The announcement will be available sometime during March at www.grants.gov. (No. DE-PS36-09GO99023) All projects funded under the Recovery Act, including task orders, must be posted on FedBizOpps and tagged with the keyword “Recovery.” Each agency has created a website to track its stimulus spending, usually with the address www.agency.gov/recovery.