GRIP Program Solutions
GRIP Program Solutions
Tom Bucher
Director
Michelle Isenhouer Hanlin
Director
Joel M. Laubenstein
Principal
Cory R. Wendt
Principal
Get a GRIP on funding for your project.
Grid modernization is critical to enabling energy transition and overcoming some of our nation’s greatest infrastructure hurdles. If your organization is looking to leverage the Grid Resilience and Innovative Partnerships (GRIP) program, Baker Tilly’s cross-disciplinary specialists can support your project at any stage of the GRIP lifecycle to maximize funding impact through effective award management, streamlined execution and structural compliance.
What is GRIP?
The GRIP program is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience and performance of the U.S. electric grid. Launched as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, GRIP focuses on increasing grid flexibility, enabling data-rich operations and fostering innovation from project ideation to execution. With a substantial $10.5 billion investment, the program supports various projects through Grid Resilience Grants, Smart Grid Grants and the Grid Innovation Program. GRIP's comprehensive approach enables deployment of grid edge technology with critical storm hardening and system modernization.
Topic areas under GRIP
There are three topic areas under GRIP that interested applicants have and can submit applications to.
Grid Resilience Grants
Supports activities that reduce the likelihood and consequences of impacts to the electric grid due to extreme weather.
Smart Grid Grants
Enables projects that use innovative and ambitious uses of cutting-edge, market-ready technologies that increase the flexibility, efficiency and reliability of the electric power system. These technologies can include new devices, materials, engineering designs or software tools.
Grid Innovation Program
Encourages high-impact, innovative projects that improve grid reliability and resilience on the local, regional and interregional scales. Applications may include technical and/or nontechnical approaches that address the transmission system, the distribution system, storage or a combination.
A final chance to access billions in DOE’s GRIP funding
The GRIP program is anticipated to offer $2.9 billion in final funding for grid resilience, smart grids and innovation. Start planning now for the competitive GRIP funding application process.
Three rounds of funding
The GRIP program encompasses three rounds of funding.
Round one
In October 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of 58 projects totaling $3.46 billion in federal funding. These projects will complete negotiations for final awards by the end of 2024.
Round two
In August 2024, the DOE announced eight selectees under Topic Area 3 for GRIP round two who are currently in negotiations. These selectees span across 18 states and total about $2.2 billion in federal funding. Selectees for Topic Areas 1 and 2 are expected to be announced later in 2024. Negotiations with the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) will follow and last approximately six to 12 months.
Round three
Baker Tilly expects the GDO to release a final round three call for concept papers this fall, with full application expected in early spring 2025.
The grant lifecycle management solution
GRIP funding can be instrumental in taking initiatives from concept to deployment. Our team will support your project to do the same, adapting as compliance and execution needs evolve across the delivery lifecycle and federal budget periods. Our infrastructure, tax and assurance specialists can help your organization throughout the entire lifecycle or with a la carte services, saving your organization time and resources as you achieve project commitments.
- Pre-award
- Post-award
- Ongoing
Application and selection
- Support development of grant applications for round three GRIP funding
- Proposal management services throughout the application cycle
- Preparation for pre-selection interviews to best position your organization ahead of the competition
- Assist with GRIP grant agreement negotiations, including prompt and accurate responses to the DOE
- Review internal processes to ensure the infrastructure for collecting, validating and reporting required metrics for the award is set
- Review, assess and recommend improvements for internal controls
- Optimize eligible Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits
Project management office stand up
- Finalize internal processes and ensure organizational compliance
- Fill any temporary staffing needs for grant management support or technical expertise (as needed)
- Manage project award execution to meet technical and financial requirements and community benefits
- Manage procurement and subrecipients
- Implement data collection strategies and procedures
- Provide training, process implementation and quality control and assurance support
- Ensure successful execution of project management and compliance recommendations
Project execution
- Provide project progress reporting
- Ensure Build America Buy America (BABA) Act compliance
- Support Davis Bacon and prevailing wage and apprenticeship (PW&A) monitoring
- Assist with alternative tax advisory and structuring
- Enhance the project capital formation strategy by optimizing sources of funds across debt, equity and tax credits
- Optimize tax credit monetization strategy to earn, sell or utilize tax credits, including IRA compliance and filing
GRIP funding is a vital resource for our clients, enabling them to achieve their strategic goals and drive innovation. I am proud to help clients strategically navigate the application process, secure project funding and maximize their potential for success.Michelle Isenhouer Hanlin, Director — Energy and Infrastructure Advisory
Let our professionals lead the way
Our grant administration, management and reporting professionals provide effective cross-cutting grant administration programs to promote compliant GRIP funding deployment and impact. We are currently partnered with multiple DOE-selected utilities navigating GRIP efforts spanning negotiations to implementation.
- Wide industry specialization — Our team brings a balance of technical skill and industry insight to our work with you, explaining how these elements all work together to support your business.
- Extensive experience implementing DOE and other public funding programs with a market-leading Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and IRA service line — Baker Tilly provides access not only to advisory and assurance specialists but also has access to proprietary tools for managing compliance with IIJA-specific requirements related to Davis-Bacon, PW&A, domestic content and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
- Shared understanding of your organization’s unique perspective and challenges — Our specialized power and utilities practice has more than 80 years of experience and works with more than 1,300 utilities and energy companies to address risk, compliance, human capital, operational and technology challenges.
At any stage in the GRIP lifecycle, our specialists can help your organization navigate the complexities of crafting applications, negotiating with the government, compliance preparation, post-award execution and on-going compliance.
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