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April 01, 2024   FRA Issues NOFO For $2.4B in CRISI Grant Funding Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor   FRA WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 29, 2024, the FRA issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in the Federal Register for CRISI grant funding. The Federal Railroad Administration announced it has made more than $2.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant funding available by issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Funded via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the grant funding will go toward investing in rail infrastructure, “allowing people and goods to move with greater safety, efficiency, and reliability.” The funding opportunity announced on March 29th includes Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 and “builds off of $1.4 billion in CRISI grant selections last year.”The NOFO was published in the Federal Register. Applications for funding are due by May 28, 2024 no later than 11:59 p.m. and can be submitted via www.Grants.gov.  Last year, the FRA chose 70 projects across 35 states and Washington, D.C. These projects included “bridge, track, and grade crossing improvements to investments in restoring and expanding intercity passenger rail corridors.” For supply chain fluidity, these CRISI grants support local economies and short line railroads. Additionally, the grants can “support important workforce development and training programs to retain current employees and attract new individuals to the rail industry.” The FRA goes on to say “investments in infrastructure and the rail workforce through FRA’s railroad development programs are a major part of this national effort to create a modern transportation network that will keep Americans safe and make the U.S. competitive in the 21st century. “ “Today we’re opening the biggest funding round in history for the program that modernizes freight and intercity passenger rail infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This funding will make it safer, more affordable, more sustainable, and more efficient for people and goods to move by rail across the country.”  “Every year, FRA sees extraordinarily high demand for CRISI grant funds, which help railroads, states, and local communities meet vital needs for safety and economic development and growth,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “In addition, by funding freight and passenger rail transportation, CRISI-funded projects improve the fluidity of the national rail network and make it easier and safer for goods and people to move by rail across the country.” 

Why would a cybercriminal target a construction company? Well, if this company is specializing in critical infrastructure projects, building water and wastewater treatment plants, there is a multitude of reasons:     🏗  Critical Infrastructure: Water and wastewater treatment plants are critical infrastructure. Disruptions in these systems can have severe public health and environmental impacts, increasing the likelihood that the company will pay the ransom to restore operations quickly. 📌  Vulnerability: Construction companies may have less robust cybersecurity measures than other industries, making them easier targets for cybercriminals. 📈  High Stakes: The critical nature of water and wastewater treatment means that downtime can lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage. This urgency makes it more likely that the company will pay the ransom to regain control of its systems quickly. 📋  Data Sensitivity: Construction companies involved in water treatment may handle sensitive information, including proprietary designs, project plans, and data related to environmental compliance. 🚚  Complex Supply Chain: Such companies often have complex supply chains and partnerships with various stakeholders, including government agencies and private contractors. 🏛  Regulatory Pressure: Companies in this sector are subject to regulatory requirements regarding the continuous operation and safety of their services. Failure to comply due to a cyberattack can result in penalties, adding another layer of pressure to resolve the situation quickly. The data below shows a recent # breach and the type of data that was exposed. Can you spot the connection to the above points?

The momentum of IIJA-funded infrastructure projects is peaking in 2024. Builders must adapt to revised regulations, increased cyber risks, and new procurement strategies. This year brings a wave of changes, especially in the roads and bridges sector, requiring a deeper understanding of funding sources and compliance requirements. Plus, with the shift towards digitalization, the need for proper training and data management is crucial to avoid project delays. Stay ahead in this evolving landscape by contacting me today for more insights. #InfrastructureGrowth #Cybersecurity #Insurance

The momentum of IIJA-funded infrastructure projects is peaking in 2024. Builders must adapt to revised regulations, increased cyber risks, and new procurement strategies. This year brings a wave of changes, especially in the roads and bridges sector, requiring a deeper understanding of funding sources and compliance requirements. Plus, with the shift towards digitalization, the need for proper training and data management is crucial to avoid project delays. Stay ahead in this evolving landscape by contacting me today for more insights. #InfrastructureGrowth #Cybersecurity #Insurance

Top thing on my mind this afternoon: Construction companies, regardless of size, face #cyberrisks like any other industry. While healthcare and other sectors strengthen defenses, #construction lags behind. To learn more about this issue, you can read about it here. #MarshMMA

Construction companies, regardless of size, face #cyberrisks like any other industry. While healthcare and other sectors strengthen defenses, #construction lags behind. To learn more about this issue, you can read about it here. #MarshMMA

Construction companies, regardless of size, face #cyberrisks like any other industry. While healthcare and other sectors strengthen defenses, #construction lags behind. To learn more about this issue, you can read about it here. #MarshMMA

The momentum of IIJA-funded infrastructure projects is peaking in 2024. Builders must adapt to revised regulations, increased cyber risks, and new procurement strategies. This year brings a wave of changes, especially in the roads and bridges sector, requiring a deeper understanding of funding sources and compliance requirements. Plus, with the shift towards digitalization, the need for proper training and data management is crucial to avoid project delays. Stay ahead in this evolving landscape by contacting me today for more insights. #InfrastructureGrowth #Cybersecurity #Insurance

The momentum of IIJA-funded infrastructure projects is peaking in 2024. Builders must adapt to revised regulations, increased cyber risks, and new procurement strategies. This year brings a wave of changes, especially in the roads and bridges sector, requiring a deeper understanding of funding sources and compliance requirements. Plus, with the shift towards digitalization, the need for proper training and data management is crucial to avoid project delays. Stay ahead in this evolving landscape. #InfrastructureGrowth #Cybersecurity #Insurance

EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program Get Ready for the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles (CHDV) Grant Program!   The Inflation Reduction Act invests $1 billion to replace existing heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles, support zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and train and develop workers. Under the EPA CHDV Program, the EPA plans to launch a grant program this spring to fund the purchase zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, with $400 million allocated to projects in communities in air quality nonattainment areas.    The EPA will offer funding to eligible recipients to replace existing non-zero-emission Class 6 and 7 heavy-duty vehicles, including school buses, with Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles. To support zero-emission vehicle adoption and deployment, funding may also be used for: ·    zero-emission vehicle infrastructure ·    workforce development and training ·    project implementation costs   The EPA anticipates this grant funding opportunity will be open for applications through a Notice of Funding Opportunity released soon.   Here's what you can do to get ready for submitting an application under this NOFO: 1. Initiate Discussion with Utilities, School Boards, and other Potential Project Stakeholders: The EPA anticipates that applicants will need to provide documentation of coordination and communication with key project partners, such as school boards and utilities. 2. For applicants seeking to replace school buses, the EPA will provide a School Board Awareness Certification Template. An authorized representative, such as a Superintendent or their representative, must sign the form to demonstrate that the school board is aware of the application and involved in the process of transitioning to a cleaner fleet. This documentation is not binding, meaning that applicants will not need to fully commit to proceeding with the potential new bus project prior to being selected for funding. 3. For applicants requesting battery-electric vehicles, the EPA will provide a Utility Partnership Template to demonstrate coordinating with their utility(ies). Planning for long-term infrastructure needs is important for project success. The EPA recommends that potential applicants identify their utility(ies) and begin coordinating and/or consulting with them on project feasibility including charging needs, upgrades needed, costs, rates for future service, and the timeframe for necessary upgrades. This document is not binding, meaning that applicants do not need to complete a full utility analysis prior to being selected for funding. 4. Register with Grants.gov and SAM.gov: All EPA grant applications are submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov. The Grants.gov registration process requires that your organization have a Unique Entity Identifier (previously known as the DUNS number) and a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov)