Everyone should have access to clean air, drinkable water, healthy communities and opportunities for upward social mobility. But for decades, our cities have been built in ways that amplify these resources for affluent communities, while underserved communities lack the same access and bear much of the burden of environmental pollution. Under the federal Justice40 Initiative, Executive Order 14096 (Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All), and NC Executive Order 246 (North Carolina’s Transformation to a Clean, Equitable Economy), promoting and planning for environmental justice is increasingly important for communities looking to leverage state and federal funds, particularly in the transportation and energy spaces. This engaging panel discussion brought together experts and implementers on this topic from across the region, state and nation, who discussed with attendees how they are making environmental justice a reality in their communities.
Federal funds are commonly passed through state agencies in North Carolina before being awarded to local governments, which can make the original funding source less obvious. Before proceeding with a procurement, local governments should verify whether an award originates from a federal source. This determination affects compliance obligations, including procurement standards, reporting, and audit requirements.
When a construction or repair contract over $300,000 involves a building, the procurement and contract are subject to additional requirements under N.C.G.S. 143-128. Therefore, this question must be answered to determine whether the additional statutory requirements apply to this procurement scenario.
The micro-purchase threshold is a federal procurement threshold under which competitive procurement is not required. The default micro-purchase threshold is $15,000, but local governments may increase the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. An explanation of increasing the micro-purchase threshold and a template for the required annual self-certification is available here.