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
EPA Issues Guidance for Brownfield Cleanup Awards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued guidance to help states and tribal organizations develop and submit award applications for federal fiscal year (FY) 2020 funding to clean up brownfield sites under section 128(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (Pub. L. 96-510), as amended.
Grants Management News
NSF’s Issuance of 2020 PAPPG Will Be Delayed
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced that it will not release its annual revised version of the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) this October, as it has typically done during past Octobers, because it will be evaluating numerous comments on pending and current support that were submitted by stakeholders to a draft version of the PAPPG this summer.
Federal Agency Issuances
A Compilation of Award Guidance, Notices and Regulatory Updates Issued by Federal Agencies and Offices
Agriculture
Announced the completion of certain interim rules that it published in the Federal Register more than three years ago (7 C.F.R. Subtitles A and B; 9 C.F.R. Chapters I, II and III). Effective date: Sept. 10, 2019. 84 Fed. Reg. 47405, Sept. 10, 2019; https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/09/10/2019-19553/completion-of-interim-rules.
Single Audit News
OMB Releases Amended Version Of 2019 Compliance Supplement
After being made aware that its initial version contained numerous errors, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently issued a revised version of the 2019 Compliance Supplement, which corrects several sections of the earlier document.
NSF Generally Agrees with OIG in Four Audit Resolution Actions
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has completed its review and resolution of audits conducted by it Office of Inspector General (OIG) at four funded universities, and in all, generally agreed with OIG’s recommendations.
Grants Intelligence – October 2019
Transforming Federal Grants Management and Modernizing Public Sector Procurement
The role of procurement in the service delivery system of federal, state and local governments, and the refinement of the methods and processes used to increase efficiency and reduce costs, has led to several bold initiatives in the past few years.
Ask the Expert
How Do You Calculate Travel Per Diems and Meals?
Q: How do you calculate travel day per diems when a meal has been provided? We use GSA per diem rates. Our policy is to provide 75 percent of the standard per diems on travel days. But how should this be calculated when a meal is provided? Let’s say one is traveling to Austin, where the M&IE rate is $59 per day (breakdown: $13 for breakfast, $15 for lunch, $26 for dinner, $5 for incidentals). On the last day of the conference, you’re provided with lunch and dinner, and then you fly out the same evening. Which of the two methods would you use to calculate their reimbursement? Method A (deduct all meals, then apply 75 percent prorate): Reimbursement = ($59 – 15 – 26) * 0.75 = $13.50, which is simply 75 percent of the $5 incidental expenses + 75 percent of the $13 breakfast rate. Method B (apply 75 percent prorate, then deduct full value of meals): Reimbursement = ($59 * 0.75) – 15 – 26 = $3.25, which is less than 75 percent of the $5 incidental expenses, and consequently reimburses nothing for breakfast. Any guidance you can provide is greatly appreciated. Regards, Maria from Berkeley, Calif.
Monthly Newsletters
We take all the news each month and compile into a monthly newsletter for your files.
Federal Grants Development Handbook Newsletter, October 2019
Federal Grants Management Handbook Newsletter, October 2019
Single Audit Information Service Newsletter, October 2019
Federal Grants News Newsletter, October 2019
WEBINARS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
Karen Norris | Self-guided course Indirect 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.
Monitoring and Reporting Performance Under the Uniform Guidance?
Toni Demaglio | Thursday, October 10, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
The Uniform Grant Guidance has amplified the importance of making substantial progress toward attaining the goals you stated in your proposal. A “bait and switch” approach puts federal contractors at serious risk of noncompliance. That’s why you can’t overpromise … or underperform. It’s critical to know how agencies are holding grantees accountable for meeting their state goals. Protecting your grant also means knowing how to use tools like risk assessments, milestones and drawdowns to gauge — and report—project progress. In this new webinar, you’ll learn how from an expert at keeping grants compliant and audit-ready.
Turn Your Board into a Top Support Team for Your Grants Process.
Scot Scala, GPC, M.Ed., and GPA Approved Trainer | Wednesday, October 23, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
What if your grants team could present the funding case directly to the leadership of charitable foundations and other funding organizations? An active Board of Directors can help you use this powerful peer-to-peer strategy to increase your access to vital funding. This new webinar shows you how to use your board to create a culture of philanthropy—and all-new success for your grants process.
How to Write a Winning Grant Application
M. Linda Wastyn, Ph.D. |Tuesday, October 29, 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!
Grants Knowledge Internal Audit — Critical for Compliance!
Elizabeth Gombash | Wednesday, October 30, 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.
Uniform Guidance – Back to Basics
Elizabeth Gombash |Tuesday, November 05, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Knowing what the uniform grant guidance regulations say is vital. But it’s not enough to mitigate the risk of audit findings. You must also understand the practical impact these regulations have on your real-world grants management. That means knowing how to apply those rules—properly—to every phase of grants management, from pre-award through post-award. Now, here’s how to amplify your regulatory knowledge with practical perspective so you can strengthen control systems and decision-making throughout the grants lifecycle.
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