Grants Management Newsletter – September 2026

Note: These metrics reflect data as of Aug. 31. Please visit the ARPA-SLFRF Program Tracker for the most up-to-date information.

• $1.6 billion, or 85.51%, of total funds disbursed.
• $40.6 million disbursed in August 2026.
• 29 initiatives fully disbursed to date.
• $151.8 million disbursed in Q4 state fiscal year 2026.

• Oklahoma Broadband Office – $15.1 million in funds requested this month.
• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services – $13.4 million in funds requested this month.
• Oklahoma Human Services – $3.4 million in funds requested this month.

Remember that Oct. 2, 2026, is the state's deadline for ARPA-SLFRF subrecipients to incur all expenditures on their projects. This deadline allows sufficient time to complete the required administrative reconciliation and grant closeout before the federal SLFRF period of performance ends. From Oct. 2 through Dec. 31, subrecipients should focus on final reconciliations, resolve outstanding issues and provide required documentation to support grant closeout.

Subrecipients should plan accordingly and prioritize completing all allowable SLFRF expenditures by Oct. 2 and use the remaining period for reconciliation and closeout activities.

Timeline

• Oct. 2: The state expenditure deadline for ARPA-SLFRF subrecipients.
• Oct. 16: The deadline for providing final invoices for costs incurred through Oct. 2. For subrecipients that had an advance of funds, this is the deadline for providing supporting documentation for payments made for costs incurred through Oct. 2.
• Oct. 2-Dec. 31: The administrative reconciliation and closeout period.

Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education

The Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) is using ARPA-SLFRF funds to help address Oklahoma’s growing need for skilled broadband workers through Mid-America Technology Center's innovative Broadband Technician Program. The 480-hour program, completed over one year, prepares students for careers in telecommunications through comprehensive training in fiber-optic technology, outside plant construction, fiber-to-the-home installation, troubleshooting, safety and underground utility locating.

The program emphasizes real-world experience using field-relevant equipment such as fiber fusion splicers, optical time‑domain testing devices, visual fault‑locating testers, a bucket truck, a trencher, a vacuum excavator, a splice trailer and installation simulators.

Students also earn industry-recognized certifications such as OSHA-10, CPR/AED, Ladder Safety Training, Fall Protection, and trencher operation and safety. Now entering its third year, the program maintains strong partnerships with broadband providers and contractors to ensure training aligns with current industry needs and employment opportunities.

When: Held Tuesday, Sept. 15. Select the button below to access the recording in Workday@OK.

Description: This one-hour webinar, hosted by GMO Grants Compliance Manager Katie Bowman, covered basic grant terminology, a grant's lifecycle, agency guidance and supplemental information, and Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200. 

When: On-demand, always available

Description: SMART training is a technical assistance initiative sponsored by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the U.S. Department of Labor and led by the Office of Grants Management (OGM) to assist its grant recipients and subrecipients in improving its program/project operations through effective grants management.

When: On-demand, always available

Description: On Oct. 1, 2024, the regulatory revisions to 2 CFR Part 200, commonly referred to as the Uniform Guidance, become effective. Although the foundational concepts remain the same, the resources outline notable updates affecting equipment classification, internal controls, indirect cost rates, procurement standards, subaward calculations and audit thresholds.

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