Federal Spending Report — Week of 2026-04-26
Federal Spending Reaches $18.7M in Weekly Awards Across 11 Agencies
The federal government obligated $18.7 million across 95 awards during the week of April 26 to May 2, 2026, with the Department of Agriculture dominating activity through 61 separate grants totaling $4.3 million. The awards went to 39 unique contractors spanning 11 agencies, with grants accounting for the vast majority of spending at $13.6 million compared to $5.1 million in direct payments.
The largest single award was a $2.0 million environmental grant to the City of Paramount, California, from the Environmental Protection Agency, followed by a $1.9 million direct payment to the Waukegan Housing Authority in Illinois from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The University of California, San Diego emerged as the week's top contractor, securing $2.2 million across three separate awards, including a $1.6 million Department of Defense grant. SkyWest Airlines received $1.6 million from the Department of Transportation, while the University of Washington landed $1.2 million in health research funding.
Beyond UCSD's multiple awards, most contractors received single grants during the reporting period. The concentration of funding among academic institutions and municipal agencies reflects typical federal spending patterns, with universities capturing significant research dollars and local governments receiving infrastructure and development support.
The Department of Agriculture's outsized award count—61 of 95 total awards—stands out despite representing less than a quarter of total obligated funds, suggesting a focus on numerous smaller rural or agricultural grants rather than large institutional awards. Housing and Urban Development was the second-most active agency by dollar volume with $3.3 million across eight awards, followed by the Department of Health and Human Services at $3.1 million.
California dominated the geographic distribution with $4.8 million across eight awards, more than double any other state. New York followed with $2.4 million in six awards, while Illinois, Washington, and Kentucky accounted for the remaining top-five destinations. The concentration in California reflects both the state's large population and its significant presence in defense contracting and environmental sectors.