The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

What is the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021?

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides financial relief to small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. The Act provides funding in some of the following ways:

• $7.25 billion for Paycheck Protection Programs;
• $15 billion for Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance payments;
• $100 million to establish a Community Navigator pilot program.

What Does the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Authorize?

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 authorizes Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP).

What is the Small Business Administration Committed to Ensuring?

SBA is committed to ensuring that small businesses get support from federal relief programs. Such programs can provide economic relief to small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19. The focus of this program is to reach and support underserved small businesses, which includes but are not limited to, micro and rural businesses, businesses owned by women, veterans, and other socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

What Does the Community Navigator Pilot Program Do?

The CNPP strengthens outreach to underserved businesses. CNPP does this by providing assistance to small businesses as well as entrepreneurs.

Who Qualifies for the Grant Via CNPP?

The following is a list of eligible applicants who may apply to receive the grant:

• City or township governments
• Native American tribal governments
• State governments
• Native American tribal organizations
• County governments
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

How to Prepare to Apply?

Those who are eligible may prepare to apply by providing the following:

• Cover letter
• Technical proposal
• Budget information
• Certification, forms, and assurances
• Attachments and exhibits

Additionally, registering with the System for Award Management (SAM) is required in order to apply for the federal grant.

What You Should Know Before Registered with SAM?

Before registering with SAM, use the SAM Status Tracker to check on your organization’s registration status. If your organization is already registered, take note of who is listed as the E-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC).

What is SAM?

SAM is a web-based, government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and publicizes business information about the federal government’s trading partners in support of the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment processes.

How Do You Register with SAM?

As per Grants.gov, SAM requires a notarized letter stating you are the authorized entity administrator before SAM will activate your entity registration in SAM.gov. When your organization registers with SAM, you must designate an EBiz POC. Keep in mind it is the EBiz POC within your organization who must register your organization with SAM. Additionally, EBiz POC is also responsible for approving your Grant.gov roles request.

How Long Does It Take to Register with SAM?

It takes up to two weeks to register with SAM after first completing the online registration and sending the notarized letter confirming the entity administrator. Additionally, it takes one business day for the updates to reflect on Grants.gov. Keep in mind that your organization must first have an EIN. Should your organization not have an EIN, it will take an additional 5 weeks to request and get an EIN from the IRS.