The following post is from Thompson Grants weekly delivery of grant- and audit-related news and analysis from their editors, conveniently organized in pre-award, post-award and audit categories. It also provides readers with the latest Grants Intelligence articles from experts in the grants community, responses to subscriber questions, links to their most recent newsletter issues and e-learning offerings, and upcoming webinars.
Grants Development News
HUD Provides Funds for Initial CDBG-MIT Awards
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently allocated $5.875 billion under a new Community Development Block Grant — Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) program to nine states and five local communities, and established the requirements and procedures applicable to these funds.
Grants Management News
FTA Proposes To Redefine Major Capital Projects
The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is proposing to amend how it defines “major capital projects” under its current project management oversight regulation, as well as proposing to make other revisions and deletions to the rule. The new definition would drastically reduce the number of construction projects FTA is now monitoring as major.
SAMHSA Proposes To Update Patient Records Rule
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently proposed to amend its regulation on patient records confidentiality to encourage better coordination of care, yet safeguard patient privacy, among health care providers in federally assisted substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs.
Federal Work Group Issues Final Report on Burden Reduction
After a two-year effort, a federal working group has released its final report on reducing administrative burden for researchers performing research with animals. The working group noted, however, that federal action on the report’s recommendations likely will not begin for another two years.
Single Audit News
NIFA To Develop Capacity Grant Allocation Guidance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) plans by the end of the year to develop guidance to better assess its capacity grant allocation methodologies for federal fiscal year (FY) 2021 awards and beyond, in response to recommendations in a recent USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit that found concerns about misallocated funds under the capacity grant programs.
Grants Intelligence – September 2019
Universities Should Act Now to Prepare for PMA Program Goals
One of the key cross-agency priority goals (CAP) under the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) is to require results-oriented accountability for grants, known as CAP Goal 8. This accountability will prompt the research community to focus on comprehensive research performance. During the May 2019 meeting of the Federal Demonstration Partnership, Rhea Hubbard of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) stressed that a goal of the PMA is to “maximize the value of grant funding by applying a risk-based, data driven framework that balances compliance requirements with demonstrating successful results for the American taxpayer.”
Auditing in the Era of Grant Reform
For many years, the federal government has been exploring ways to modify the grants process to achieve greater efficiency while reducing burden. These efforts began many years ago with the Electronic Grants Committee and continued through mandated efforts such as the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (Pub. L. 109-282) and the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) (Pub. L. 113-101). The Trump Administration continues to build on these statutes and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) uniform guidance by setting forth continued goals for increasing efficiency and reducing burden under the President’s Management Agenda (PMA).
Ask the Expert
What Limitations Exist on Board Expenses?
Q: I am preparing an ICRP. The sample created by the Department of Labor includes limitations on the Board Expenses that are allowed (travel and annual fee only). I cannot find reference to these limitations in the uniform guidance, but I probably am just not looking in the right place. Can you please direct me? Regards, Molly from Takoma, Wash.
Monthly Newsletters
We take all the news each month and compile into a monthly newsletter for your files.
Federal Grants Development Handbook Newsletter, September 2019
Federal Grants Management Handbook Newsletter, September 2019
Single Audit Information Service Newsletter, September 2019
Federal Grants News Newsletter, September 2019
WEBINARS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
Karen Norris | Self-guided courseIndirect Costs and Cost Allocation Plans – An eLearning Course
In this eLearning course, Karen Norris, a national consultant and subject matter expert for k4rnoco, a K4ren Norris Company, and formerly with Thompson Information Services, will discuss the changes in the new uniform grant reform guidance related to calculating and charging indirect costs to federal grants. The presentations will include: an overview on indirect cost rates, including developing and submitting indirect cost rate proposals; how the rules governing indirect costs have changed; and provide practical examples how agencies can prepare for these changes.
Intro to Indirect Cost Recovery
Benjamin Sedelmeier |Thursday, September 12, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Did you know that grantees can recoup overhead and administrative costs on federal contracts? Do you know how the Uniform Guidance makes it possible—and how you can recover this additional funding? Unfortunately, many federal grant recipients don’t know. They leave funding to which they’re entitled on the table. As competition for awards intensifies and funding levels shrink, it’s crucial to recover every dollar available to your organization. Here’s where to start.
Using Arguments to Write More Compelling Grant Applications
M. Linda Wastyn, Ph.D. |Thursday, September 19, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Intense competition for funding means your grant application must be utterly irresistible. That’s why grant consultant Linda Wastyn advises you to argue. Compared to traditional grants applications, an “argument format” immediately sets your proposal apart. A well-developed argument for funding wins reviewers’ attention. Strong supporting data wins their respect. And you’re likelier to win the award for your program. How do you construct such an irresistible grant application? Wastyn explains all you need to know in this upcoming webinar!
Top 10 Audit Findings and What to Do
Karen Norris | Monday, September 23, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Despite best efforts, grant management practices can trigger audit findings that can trigger disallowances and recovery of funds. Learn about the 10 findings trigger the majority of trouble. A new webinar spotlights what common actions lead to these top audit findings, and ways to address them before your next audit.
Grants Knowledge Internal Audit — Critical for Compliance!
Elizabeth Gombash | Thursday, October 3, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
The uniform grant guidance requires non-federal entities (NFEs) to have strong internal controls. But even the best-designed—and tested—controls won’t ensure compliance. That’s because too many NFEs assume their people have the grants knowledge to apply those controls effectively. Audits, however, often reveal that employees don’t have that know-how. Why risk such costly assumptions? An internal “knowledge audit” can help make sure employees play their critical role in keeping internal controls strong and effective. Here’s how to use this critical assessment to keep your own organization audit-ready.
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