June 22 – 26, 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.
Grants Development NewsHRSA Develops Portal for Medicaid/CHIP Providers
To assist health care providers in applying for federal payments under the Provider Relief Fund to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently developed an Enhanced Provider Relief Fund Portal, which includes an application process that is targeted to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers.
Grants Management NewsM-20-26 Extends COVID-19 Loss Flexibilities for Salaries, Audits
Governmentwide grant administration flexibilities available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that federal agencies could offer to nonfederal entities under two Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memoranda issued this spring have now expired, but OMB has issued new guidance to federal agencies — OMB Memorandum M-20-26 — that maintains and expands upon two flexibilities pertaining to the allowability of salaries and other project activities, as well as for the submission of single audit reports.
READ MOREDOE Working Group To Assess Improper Payments
The Department of Energy (DOE) plans to establish an internal payment integrity working group by the end of 2021 that will identify best practices for identifying and reporting improper payments, as well as develop a comprehensive central process for tracking questioned costs, in response to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congress that found the improper payments reported by DOE from federal fiscal year (FY) 2015 to FY 2019 may not be accurate or complete.
Single Audit NewsMonitoring Deemed Lacking in CDFI Fund Program
While the Department of the Treasury already sends automated reminders to community development financial institutions (CDFIs) receiving assistance under the CDFI Fund Technical Assistance Award program addressing the submission of delinquent reports, the Treasury Office of Inspector General (OIG), in a recent audit, urged the office to revise its standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enable departmental staff to follow-up directly with CDFIs who receive these notifications.
READ MOREASU Audit Resolution Eliminates 75% of Questioned Costs
The National Science Foundation (NSF), through a recent audit resolution process, reduced about $1.2 million in questioned costs identified in an audit by the NSF Office of Inspector General (OIG) at Arizona State University (ASU) to about $330,000. The NSF Resolution and Advanced Monitoring Branch accepted each of the university’s stated corrective actions as responsive to OIG’s compliance and internal control recommendations.
Grants Intelligence – June 2020Use Retroactive Controls to Seek Forgiveness Under COVID
The closures and changes under the COVID-19 pandemic hit faster than anticipated (at least by most of us). Federal agencies, states, local recipients and nonprofits suddenly moved to virtual settings which resulted in many programs being delayed or worse, with programs ending or even businesses closing. Questions came faster than answers. Can we pay our employees during closures? Can we charge cancellation fees? What about contractors?
Ask the ExpertIs Our Study Program an Allowable Purchase?
Q: Our institution has a Title III STEM grant. The principal investigator of the grant would like to enter into an agreement with the Princeton Review to give intensive MCAT test preparation through in-person and live online modality to approximately 25 undergraduate students. The Princeton Review program would provide students with a complete set of study material, online resources including drills and supplemental videos, and practice tests to maximize student score growth. It consists of: (1) 123 hours of live instruction; (2) 15 full-length practice tests; (3) MCAT STEM subject review material; (4) 365 days access to the online student portal that includes Princeton Review drills by subject & topic; and (5) access to MedFlix MCAT Video Archive; Interactive Score Reports. Do you consider this an allowable purchase? Thank you for your expert opinion. Bianca from La Verne, Calif.
READ MOREIs Electronic Approval of Invoices Allowable?
Q: Our organization is looking to automate our accounts payable/invoices approval process. We’re looking at utilizing a system that would provide for electronic approval of invoices. Is this OK? Am I required to have physical signatures for federal programs to evidence approval to pay invoices? Angella in Detroit, Mich.
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:
¶260 – Added information about the DUNS number transition date and made other editorial revisions
¶221 – Added information about the DUNS number transition date and made other editorial revisions
¶270 — Updated links and made editorial revisions
Federal Grants Management Handbook:
Federal Grants Management Handbook Newsletter, July 2020
¶565 – Added information about the DOD USERRA Working Group and made other editorial revisions
Single Audit Information Service:
Single Audit Information Service Newsletter, July 2020
Guide to Managing Federal Grants for Colleges and Universities:
Federal Grants News Newsletter, June 2020
¶745 — Export Controls (content updated; addition of compliance elements chart)
¶746 — Biosafety (information updated throughout)
¶565 – Added information about the DOD USERRA Working Group and made other 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.
COVID-19 Accounting and Grants Management Update
Jack Reagan |Tuesday, June 30, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
With the recent changes to the Paycheck Protection Program, it’s critical to understand the opportunities being offered and how to take advantage of them. Each month brings new regulations; staying updated on grants management changes can be time consuming. This new webinar provides the up-to-date information you need to take the right steps.
Achieving Grant Outcomes in a Pandemic: Compliance Challenges, Options and Consequences
Elizabeth Gombash |Thursday, July 09, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an unprecedented impact on grant projects. Addressing this impact has required time-critical decisions on how to respond to everything from business closures and worker furloughs to remote workplaces and social distancing. Every decision—and the ones yet to be made—affect your ability to deliver the outcomes promised in grant proposals. How can you move forward in this “new normal” without putting program performance (and compliance with the uniform guidance) at risk?
Collaboration in Grants Proposals Yields Great Rewards
Cyndi MacKenzie, GPC |Tuesday, July 14, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Grant professionals recognize how collaborative applications can open up access to larger revenues. So why do businesses and nonprofits shy away from collaborative proposals? The answer is that developing and managing collaborative grant-seeking process takes time, patience and a different set of grant skills. Now, a new webinar shows you how to approach collaborative grant applications more easily—and most successfully.