Grants Management Newsletter – August 2026
Greetings,
I'm pleased to share the August edition of the Grants Management Newsletter.
The OMES Grants Management Office has been actively working on desk reviews, and we sincerely appreciate your timely responses and collaboration.
We recently met with representatives from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to discuss closeout guidance as we approach the end of the ARPA-SLFRF period of performance. Treasury staff advised that the closeout guidance has been submitted to the federal Office of Management and Budget for review and approval. Once approved, Treasury will distribute the guidance to states as quickly as possible. Until then, recipients and subrecipients should continue to follow the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200.
ARPA time remaining as of July 31, 2026:
- 43 working days (excluding weekends and federal holidays) remain until Oct. 1, 2026.
- 102 working days (excluding weekends and federal holidays) remain until Dec. 31, 2026.
With just a few months remaining, now is the time to ensure all project activities, procurement, documentation and reimbursement requests are progressing according to schedule. Early preparation will help facilitate a smooth closeout once the Treasury releases its final guidance.
Together, we have made significant progress in delivering the benefits of ARPA funding to communities across Oklahoma. Thank you for your continued partnership, responsiveness and dedication. We look forward to finishing strong and celebrating the successful completion of these important projects.
My best,
Elizabeth Base
Director of OMES Grants Management Office
Grants management metrics
ARPA-SLFRF disbursement progress
Note: These metrics reflect data as of July 31. Please visit the ARPA-SLFRF Program Tracker for the most up-to-date information.
- $1.55 billion, or 80.77%, of total funds disbursed.
- $90.6 million disbursed across June and July 2026.
- 30 initiatives fully disbursed to date.
- $146.8 million disbursed in FY 2026 Q4.
Subrecipient leaderboard
State agencies with the most funds disbursed June-July 2026:
- Oklahoma Broadband Office
$29.6 million funds requested. - OSU Medical Center Authority
$12.1 million funds requested. - Oklahoma Human Services
$10.3 million funds requested.
Guidance updates
The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on May 29, aiming to convert the 2 CFR Part 200 framework into a mandatory Uniform Grants Regulation to increase accountability and tighten spending restrictions. The proposal, outlined in docket OMB-2026-0034, introduces stricter compliance reviews and aligns federal funding with administration priorities.
Subrecipient spotlight
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the demand for mental health services, while Oklahoma continues to face a shortage of psychiatric hospital beds. To address these ongoing behavioral health and addiction treatment needs, ODMHSAS is adding 50 beds to the new psychiatric hospital currently under construction to replace the outdated Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health. In partnership with the City of Tulsa, the Veterans Administration and Oklahoma State University, the expanded facility will increase access to critical inpatient behavioral health services for Oklahomans.
Training
Growing with Grants: Preparing to Win & Manage Federal Awards
When: Thursday, Aug. 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. CT
Description: A complimentary presentation for state/local/county government organizations seeking guidance on starting and growing a grants management team. This course provides guidance on how to begin your government’s journey to receiving and managing federal grants, including developing a proposal strategy, understanding the grants lifecycle, creating a checklist for success, discussing the basics of compliance and exploring the use of internal staff versus consultants.
NGMA August webinar: Risk Assessment as a Strategic Grant Partnership Tool
When: Wednesday, Aug. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. CT
Description: Risk assessment is a critical responsibility for grant funders and is strongly linked to informed funding decisions, effective oversight, and successful grant outcomes. In this session, explore the purpose and practical application of risk assessment in grantmaking and grants management and examine how risk assessment affects the full grants life cycle.
September 2026 Virtual GMBoK Training: In-depth training of the full grant lifecycle, from pre-award activities to closeout and audits
When: Sept. 1-2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT daily
Description: Gain in-depth understanding of the full grant life cycle, from solicitation and evaluation of applications to closeout and audit through the Grants Management Body of Knowledge (GMBoK) Training.
In the news
- Senator Hall, Representative Duel Secure $1.4 Million for Guthrie Water Projects
- Tahlequah Public Works Authority Receives $1,758,603 Grant for System Improvements from the OWRB
- Broadband officials open internet portal program in Oklahoma libraries
- Oklahoma Broadband Office Launches First-in-Nation Community Access Portal Program for Rural Connectivity
- Oklahoma Broadband Office Celebrates State's First Deployed Community Access Portals
Resources
Subrecipient guidance
Select the icon to access the Subrecipient guidance webpage.
GMO newsletter archive
Select the icon to visit the Grants Management Newsletter archive.
ARPA-SLFRF Program Tracker
Select the icon to open the ARPA-SLFRF Program Tracker dashboard.
