The Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun an oversight project to minimize inefficient or improper actions that could put USDA's Recovery Act funding at risk. One project identified open recommendations from prior audits related to the Forest Service. Open recommendations are those for which the agency has not implemented previously agreed-upon corrective actions. The Office of Inspector General identified 15 open recommendations for the Forest Service. The Forest Service agreed that action would be taken.

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) received $500 million in Recovery Act funds to build a new National Computer Center. The current National Computer Center houses the infrastructure that supports the Social Security programs provided to the public and other services provided to federal, state, international and private agencies. The design and age of the National Computer Center, as well as the increasing workload due to the retirement of the baby boom generation, have raised concerns about SSA's ability to address future processing requirements. The report provides information on SSA's response to critical deficiencies that need to be addressed immediately at the current National Computer Center, as well as issues the Agency should consider when defining its strategy for using Recovery Act funds for the new computer center.

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) received $500 million in Recovery Act funds to address retirement and disability workloads. SSA fully funds the salaries and other costs of certain state employees who perform critical work in SSA's disability programs. However, because of the recent economic downturn, several states have furloughed employees -- including disability determination staff. The Office of Inspector General (OIG)'s report provides critical information on how furloughs of state disability determination employees will impact SSA's ability to process disability work. The OIG also notes that because fewer disability decisions will be made in states that have furloughed disability determination staff, there will be a negative impact on the flow of money in the U.S. economy. As such, the OIG's report informs Agency decision makers on where to assign Recovery Act funds to the various state disability determination offices.

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$424.8 Million in Recovery Act Grants Awarded to 20 States, Territories and the District of Columbia

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder today announced that more than $424 million in Recovery Act funds will go to 20 states, territories and the District of Columbia to maintain or increase public safety, while creating or retaining jobs within the law enforcement community. These Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funds are part of more than $4 billion in Justice Department Recovery Act funds available to assist state, local and tribal law enforcement and for other criminal justice activities that help to prevent crime and improve the criminal justice system in the United States while supporting the creation of jobs and much-needed resources for states and local communities.

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Application for Part 1 of Wisconsin's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $587 million is now available for Wisconsin under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Wisconsin will be eligible to apply for another $289 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Wisconsin's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.

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WASHINGTON - More small businesses will be eligible for U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loans, meaning greater access to much-needed capital in this tough economy, as a result of a temporary alternate size standard for the agency's largest lending program.

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The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today details of more than 850 facility improvement projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The $835 million allocated to these new projects represents the balance of the ARRA funds provided to the DoD for construction and repair projects, and is in addition to the approximate $6.1 billion contained in the first infrastructure investment list announced on
March 20, 2009.

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Recognizes 10 Individuals and Programs for Their Service to Crime Victims

WASHINGTON - Attorney General Eric Holder announced today the Department of Justice is beginning the process of awarding $100 million in Recovery Act funds to victim assistance and compensation programs. The Attorney General made the announcement in his remarks at the National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards Ceremony where he recognized 10 individuals and programs for their service to crime victims.

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New green jobs a benefit of effort to end dependence on foreign oil

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of the ongoing effort to increase the use of domestic renewable fuels, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced plans to provide $786.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate advanced biofuels research and development and to provide additional funding for commercial-scale biorefinery demonstration projects.

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More than 750 Park Projects to Receive Funding Under President's Economic Recovery Plan

Washington, D.C. - From the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall to Yellowstone and Death Valley, the National Park Service will undertake more than 750 projects at parks across the country to create jobs, restore and protect our nation's parks, and preserve our history and heritage for future generations, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today.

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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, contains a number of provisions that affect railroad retirement annuitants and railroad workers. Among other provisions, this Act provides up to 13 weeks of special extended unemployment benefits for certain railroad workers who exhaust their rights to the benefits normally provided under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA). The following questions and answers provide information about these special extended unemployment benefits.

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To provide the Department of the Interior meaningful and timely feedback, the Interior Office of Inspector General (OIG) is engaged in reviewing the Department's early planning and implementation activities. To date, the OIG has issued eight advisory reports to help ensure accountability of the approximately $3 billion appropriated to the Department.

The advisories offer observations on early efforts to develop project lists in the Department and its bureaus, as well as strategies to reduce the risk of fraud, waste, abuse, and poor performance. For example, leveraging existing monitoring mechanisms for overseeing funding awarded through federal assistance agreements will be a crucial first step. Single audits -- which are mandatory reviews of entities that received federal assistance funds -- offer one such mechanism, provided the audits include Interior's Recovery Act programs in their scopes. Other steps can also be taken such as strengthening policies to prevent suspended and debarred entities from receiving federal assistance, holding senior leadership accountable for the results of Recovery Act activities, ensuring consistency in project list classifications, and developing and strengthening risk-based approaches.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General reviewed the Agency's Management Integrity guidance for reporting on internal control reviews and preparing annual assurance letters on accountability for the EPA Administrator. The Office of Inspector General recommended strengthening the Management Integrity guidance to reflect the risk management and program integrity objectives outlined in the Recovery Act.

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Undertake More than 770 Projects Under President's Economic Recovery Plan

HELENA, MT -- In an announcement that will both create jobs and promote the conservation of our nation's fish and wildlife, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will invest $280 million in more than 770 projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to build visitors centers, improve infrastructure, and bolster conservation at national wildlife refuges and hatcheries across the country.

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U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that nearly $1.4 billion is now available for Illinois under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts.

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Red Rock National Conservation Area, NV - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced $305 million will fund more than 650 Bureau of Land Management projects across the country under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The investments will restore landscapes and habitat, spur renewable energy development on public lands, and create jobs.

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The Recovery Act calls for $280 billion to be administered through states and localities. The Act requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to do bimonthly reviews of the use of funds by selected states and localities. In this first report, GAO describes selected states' and localities' uses and planning of Recovery Act funds, accountability approaches, and plans to evaluate the impact of funds received. GAO's work is focused on 16 states and the District of Columbia—representing about 65 percent of the U.S. population and two-thirds of the intergovernmental federal assistance available through the Recovery Act. The report makes recommendations to strengthen accountability for these funds.

Click here to view the summary of the GAO findings or here for the full report.

Child Care and Vaccination Programs to Benefit from Recovery Act
Vice President Joe Biden announced today that the Obama Administration will make $2.3 billion available for crucial health and human services programs that help to provide care for children and prevent disease. States will receive $2 billion in Recovery Act funding to support child care for working families. The Administration also plans to make $300 million in vaccines and grants available to ensure more underserved Americans receive the vaccines they need.

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WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) announced that it is now accepting applications for $23.6 million in OVW Recovery Act funds to assist American Indian governments and tribal women's coalitions combat violence against women in tribal communities. The Indian Tribal Governments Program will award $20.8 million to grantees and the Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program will award $2.8 million to grantees.

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Job Creation, Construction and Infrastructure Improvements, Workforce Development Focus of Tribal Community Investments

BISMARK, N.D. - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the Department will fund $500 million in new school and housing construction, road and bridge improvements, and workforce development projects for federally recognized tribes across the nation. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Department's Indian Affairs office will also offer federally guaranteed loans for American Indian-owned businesses. These investments will significantly improve the quality of life in tribal communities nationwide. Overall, Interior will invest more than $3 billion through President Obama's economic recovery plan.

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More than $248 Million Made Available to Tribes for Criminal Justice Needs

WASHINGTON - Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli announced today that more than $248 million is available for Tribes to assist with addressing the Indian Country's criminal justice needs. These funds are part of $4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds managed by the Justice Department to assist tribal, state, and local law enforcement and for other criminal justice activities that help to prevent crime and improve the criminal and juvenile justice systems in the United States, while supporting the creation of jobs and providing much needed resources for states and local communities.

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Washington, D.C. - President Barack Obama today announced funding for the 2,000th transportation project under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), only six weeks after approving the first project. The President made the remarks at the U.S. Department of Transportation with Vice President Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

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Albuquerque, NM - Capping off a big week for service, Acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service Nicola Goren traveled here today to swear in the first of up to 13,000 AmeriCorps members funded by the Recovery Act, putting boots on the ground to assist Americans hardest hit by the economic downturn.

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Secretary Solis testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions regarding green jobs skills training for workers. Solis stated the promise of green jobs is not only to help re-start the economy and put Americans back to work, but also to help make America more energy independent. DOL is developing plans for use of Recovery Act funding for research, labor exchange and job training projects that prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and will soon issue solicitations for grant applications to be administered by ETA. The department has encouraged states to expand existing training programs that have the potential to prepare workers for careers in the renewable energy sectors and for other green jobs.

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National Renewable Energy Laboratory to receive more than $100 million from Recovery Act

GOLDEN, CO - In an ongoing effort to expand domestic renewable energy, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced plans to provide $93 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support further development of wind energy in the United States during a visit to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory today. Secretary Chu also announced more than $100 million in funding from the Recovery Act for NREL facility and infrastructure improvements.

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Application for Part 1 of Mississippi's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $321 million is now available for Mississippi under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Mississippi will be eligible to apply for another $158 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Mississippi's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1.

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Application for Part 1 of Minnesota's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $547 million is now available for Minnesota under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Minnesota will be eligible to apply for another $269.4 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Minnesota's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available April 1.

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Application for Part 1 of Oregon's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that $382 million is now available for Oregon under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Oregon will be eligible to apply for another $188 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Oregon's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available April 1.

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Application for Part 1 of Utah's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $321 million is now available for Utah under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Utah will be eligible to apply for another $158 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Utah's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1.

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Application for Part 1 of Maine's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that nearly $130 million is now available for Maine under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Maine will be eligible to apply for another $63.8 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Maine's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available April 1.

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Secretary Arne Duncan announced a new document to spark ideas about how schools and districts might use Recovery Act funds, particularly under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, Title I, and the Individuals with Disabilities Act Part B.

Read the document.

Application for Part 1 of California's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that nearly $4 billion is now available for California under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. California will be eligible to apply for another $2 billion this fall. Today's funding is being made available per California's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available April 1. California is the first state to be approved for the first round of state stabilization funding.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published guidance today regarding technologies and methodologies to secure health information and prevent harm by rendering health information unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act required publication of the guidance by April 18. This builds on the existing requirements of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, which are unchanged.

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $271,075 grant to assist approximately 75 workers affected by the closure of GE Lighting located in Willoughby, Ohio.

"This grant will allow affected Ohio workers to gain access to the services they need to help prepare them for new jobs in high-demand industries in the region, such as health care," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These workers have expressed an interest in long-term training, among other employment-related services."

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $627,961 grant to assist approximately 87 workers affected by the sudden closure of Wood Structures Inc. headquartered in Biddeford, Maine, with a manufacturing facility in Saco, Maine.

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,520,633 grant to assist approximately 300 workers affected by the closure of MPC Computers LLC in Nampa, Idaho.

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Announces plans for nearly $4 billion in technology deployment, monitoring and viability

Washington, DC - Vice President Joe Biden, on a visit to Jefferson City, Missouri, today with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, detailed plans by the Department of Energy to develop a smart, strong and secure electrical grid, which will create new jobs and help deliver reliable power more effectively with less impact on the environment to customers across the nation. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Vice President outlined plans to distribute more than $3.3 billion in smart grid technology development grants and an additional $615 million for smart grid storage, monitoring and technology viability.

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Water-Related Economic Investments Total $1 Billion in the West

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, at a press conference with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California congressional leaders, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the Department of the Interior will invest $1 billion under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) in America's water infrastructure to create jobs and get the economy moving again. Overall, the Department of the Interior will manage $3 billion in investments as part of the recovery plan signed by the President to jumpstart our economy, create or save jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st Century.

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U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that $85.4 million is now available for South Dakota under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts.

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $54,227,780 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits. Massachusetts' approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site.

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $100,383,562 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Illinois. Illinois qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits. Illinois' approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site.

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Secretary Salazar introduces new DOI recovery website and plans for DOI recovery investments.

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USGS Investments Underscore Commitment to "Best Science"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the Department of the Interior's first projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - $140 million that will fund 308 U.S. Geological Survey projects across the 50 states. The USGS, the leading science research bureau in the federal government, supports the science needs of all the other bureaus of the Department of the Interior and other departments of the U.S. government. The USGS will play a critical role in addressing the nation's energy and climate change challenges.

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High-Hazard Areas in California Stand to Benefit

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the U.S. Geological Survey will fund $29.4 million in earthquake network upgrades nationwide through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, an investment that will significantly improve the timely delivery of information to high-hazard regions such as the Bay area.

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Goal to Promote Growth and Investment in Biomedical R&D, Public Health and Health Care Delivery

The National Institutes of Health highlighted a new funding opportunity under the Recovery Act that will support approximately $200 million in large-scale research projects that have a high likelihood of enabling growth and investment in biomedical research and development, public health and health care delivery. The purpose of this new program, the Research and Research Infrastructure "Grand Opportunities" (GO), is to support high impact ideas that lend themselves to short-term funding and may lay the foundation for new fields of scientific inquiry.

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Act Provides New Resources for Community Services Block Grant

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced plans to make $1 billion available for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the new resources will be allocated to states across the country. States will distribute the new funding to community groups that help Americans through tough economic times.

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Washington, D.C. -- The National Endowment for the Arts today announced $19.8 million in one-time grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) to the state arts agencies and regional arts organizations to support the arts sector of the economy. Potential recipients include organizations in the performing, visual, and literary arts. Please see the complete list of grants.

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WASHINGTON, DC ­- To expand the use of clean and renewable energy sources and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced $41.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for fuel cell technology.

These efforts will accelerate the commercialization and deployment of fuel cells and will create jobs in fuel cell manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and support services. The new funding will improve the potential of fuel cells to provide power in stationary, portable and specialty vehicle applications, while cutting carbon emissions and broadening our nation's clean energy technology portfolio.

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As part of our effort to help agencies build the talent capacity to successfully enact provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing to hold a Hiring Fair on May 13, 2009, at the Washington Convention Center limited to applicants for the following occupations: Human Resources, Contracting and Grants Management.
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