April 27 – May 1, 2020
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.
Because the nation’s response to concerns about the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has dramatically affected traditonal grant processes, Thompson Grants is now offering a continuously updated roundup in our Top News section containing grant-specific links for grant applicants and recipients posted by federal agencies, as well as from Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. The roundup is available here.
In addition, we have posted a new GrantViews video about the proliferation of agency FAQs and other guidance related to COVID-19 and grants that stresses the importance of staying abreast of constant updates to these documents. See the video here.
Grants Development NewsFAA Awards $10B Under CARES Act Airport Grant Program
The Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has expedited the awarding of $10 billion under the newly created Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant Program, which provides economic relief to some 3,000 eligible U.S. commercial and general aviation airports affected by the prevention of, preparation for and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ MOREAs Countless Grant Managers Are Teleworking, NIH Warns About Cyber Security
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and several other federal agencies are warning institutions about the critical importance of cyber safety, particularly in light of the substantial increase in grant activity now conducted online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants Management NewsHUD Offers Housing Rule Waivers Due To COVID-19
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Public and Indian Housing, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, recently issued guidance for public housing agencies (PHAs) and Indian tribes that provides waivers and establishes alternative requirements for numerous statutory and regulatory requirements under several housing programs.
READ MOREHHS OIG Proposes Monetary Penalties for Grant Fraud
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently proposed to amend agency regulations to activate an authority under the 21st Century Cures Act (Pub. L. 114-255) to assess civil money penalties (CMPs) and program exclusions for those recipients who engage in fraud and misconduct under an HHS grant, contract or agreement.
Single Audit NewsErrors Found in Illinois’ Grant Selection Process
The Illinois Department of Health Services (IDHS) recently agreed with an Illinois Office of Auditor General (OAG) recommendation that the department could improve its controls over competitively awarded grants by verifying that proposal evaluators follow the scoring parameters in the award notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). However, IDHS disagreed with OAG’s assessment that evaluator inconsistencies in selecting recipients of independent services coordination (ISC) services led to the awarding of agencies that were not the strongest applicants.
Grants Intelligence – May 2020The Bayh-Dole Act: 40 Years and Counting!
In December 1980, Congress passed the Bayh-Dole Act (Pub. L. 96-517), implementing special rules for patent rights of inventions resulting from federally funded research. With 2020 marking the 40th anniversary of its passage into law, the Bayh-Dole Act, and more specifically how its provisions relate to the federal government’s “march-in” rights, has been appearing in the news more frequently as lawmakers have been discussing possible steps to, among other things, lower drug prices. This discussion became more topical as the novel coronavirus spread across the world, pressuring countries to quickly create a vaccine that is both safe and affordable. On March 6, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 116-123), which provided the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with $3.1 billion to develop a vaccine. As companies and scientists partner with federal agencies to work to create a vaccine, it’s important for nonfederal entities (NFEs) to be reminded of the Bayh-Dole Act and its tremendous benefits to NFEs.
Ask the ExpertHow Long Do Pass-Through Entities Have To Pay Funds to Subrecipients?
Q: Is there a time requirement for the payment of federal grant funds from a state pass-through entity to a subrecipient (providing that the pass-through entity has received all required reporting documents from the subrecipient)? Christy from Las Vegas
READ MORECan We Issue a Subaward to an Entity Without an Active Account in SAM.gov?
Q: We are in the process of contracting with a subrecipient and during the vetting process, we noticed that they have not renewed their SAM.gov status and they are currently expired. They have not been suspended or debarred. My question is, can we still contract with them and advise them that they need to renew? I reviewed the uniform guidance and it states that we should check for the suspension and debarment status, but not necessarily the active status. I also know that there is some lag time in getting the system updated. Please advise. Juan from Los Angeles, Calif.
Monthly Newsletters and Recent Handbook Updates
We take all the news each month and compile into a monthly newsletter for your files, and make continuous updates to our publications to keep them current.
Federal Grants Development Handbook:
¶270 — Updated links and made editorial revisions
¶113 — Updated section to include information about the GREAT Act
¶114 — Created new section to discuss COVID-19 response’s implications for grants
Federal Grants Management Handbook:
Federal Grants Management Handbook Newsletter, May 2020
¶370 – Added new section entitled “COVID-19 Implications for Grants”
¶474 — Made editorial revisions and updated links
¶476 — Added information on Performance.gov and made other editorial revisions
¶516 — Made editorial revisions and updated links
¶519 — Added information about Never Contract With the Enemy
Single Audit Information Service:
Single Audit Information Service Newsletter, May 2020
Guidance ¶332 — Made editorial revisions
Guide to Managing Federal Grants for Colleges and Universities:
Federal Grants News Newsletter, May 2020
¶370 – Added new section entitled “COVID-19 Implications for Grants”
¶741 — Added decision making chart and made editorial revisions
| WEBINARS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS |
Indirect Costs and Cost Allocation Plans – An eLearning Course
Karen Norris | Self-guided 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.
Mitigating Unallowable Costs for the CARES Act
Eric Russell, CIA, CGAP, CGMS, MPA & Jonathan Dunn, CPA |Thursday, May 07, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Cost allowability isn’t new, but the issues and behaviors triggering cost-related audit findings and disallowances are. With the new remote work requirements and funding increases from the CARES Act, it’s critical to recognize the trends and similar developing within your own organization. You must also update potential audit-response strategies and strengthen internal controls, including those pertaining to indirect costs and procurement. Here’s how to take a proactive approach that helps you—and mitigate—compliance risks before you’re left liable for costs your funding agency won’t cover.
Revising Your Policies for a Standard Emergency Policy Framework
Sandra Swab |Thursday, May 14, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
If you receive or manage federal funding, chances are your grant policies will need to be revised. For starters, OMB has proposed uniform guidance revisions. Many of the requirements would also tie in new ways to CAP Goal #8, Results-Oriented Accountability for Grants. Plus, OMB’s issuance of exceptions for the COVID-19 emergency raises questions about where new SOPs may be needed. Remember, many of the coming changes will have implementation deadlines. Prepare now with expert help on what policies you may need to revise—and how long it will take.
May’s COVID-19 Grants Management Update
Jack Reagan |Thursday, May 21, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
During these unprecedent times, the grants management process has been changing. With each month bringing new regulations, researching federal aid for your organization can be time consuming. From the new $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) actions affecting grants management, it’s critical to understand the opportunities and how to take advantage of them. This new webinar provides the up-to-date information you need to take the right steps.
The Auditor’s Here! Now What?
Dismas Locaria |Thursday, May 28, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
What happens when noncompliance is discovered after federal funding has been awarded? You immediately face disclosure obligations. It is critical to handle disclosure and agency interaction effectively. It helps if you can point to a strong compliance program that shows your commitment to meeting your obligations under the uniform guidance. Preparing now can make all the difference in avoiding severe enforcement, including staggering penalties under the False Claim Act. Let an expert on the uniform guidance show you how.
Asking Permission vs. Begging Forgiveness: Unraveling the Need for Prior Approval
Toni Demaglio |Tuesday, June 09, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
There are times when it may be better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission. Modifying your grant budget isn’t one of them. Neither is making changes in your project activities. Procuring goods or services without prior written approval from a federal funding agency can trigger consequences no grant recipient wants to face: unallowable costs. In this upcoming webinar, a seasoned grants expert shows you steps you can take to seek the required permission—and win approval.