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.
November 4 – 8, 2019
Grants Development NewsHHS Awards About $2.27B in Ryan White Grants
Although recipients of Ryan White HIV/AIDS program grants received about $70 million less in federal funding in fiscal year (FY) 2019 compared to FY 2018, awardees still received about $2.27 billion in awards this year under the various parts of the program, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said recently.
Grants Management NewsOMB Issues Grants Management Standard Data Elements Version 1.0
The federal government took a key step recently that eventually could reduce grant recipient reporting burdens through the use of electronic systems that share similar sets of data. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued Version 1.0 of the grants management standard data elements, developed as part of the “Results-Oriented Accountability for Grants” cross-agency priority goal (CAP Goal 8) under the President’s Management Agenda.
READ MORESACHRP Provides Preparatory Questions for Pay-to-Participate Research
Although full pay-to-participate research might not be regulated by federal human subject protection rules, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections (SACHRP) recently provided numerous recommendations for institutional review boards (IRBs), researchers, sponsors and potential subjects to consider.
READ MOREFederal Agency Issuances
A Compilation of Award Guidance, Notices and Regulatory Updates Issued by Federal Agencies and Offices
Agriculture
Adopted certain provisions of the Office of Management and Budget guidelines to agencies on governmentwide debarment and suspension not previously adopted and revised the definition of the term “disqualified” to add the statutory disqualification requirements for USDA agencies (2 C.F.R. Part 417). Effective date: Oct. 4, 2019. 84 Fed. Reg. 52993-52997, Oct. 4, 2019; https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/10/04/2019-20865/nonprocurement-debarment-and-suspension.
Single Audit NewsDisaster Nutrition Plan Sought for Puerto Rico
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to direct Puerto Rico’s nutrition agency to establish and submit to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) a comprehensive disaster Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) plan, which would be annually updated, to ensure the island is better prepared to react to the impacts of future hurricanes, in response to a recent USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit.
Grants Intelligence – November 2019Still a Little Confused About Subrecipients and Contractors? You’re Not Alone!
As a practitioner dealing with both the pre-award and post-award phases of the grants lifecycle, I have always said, “The devil is in the details” when it comes to grants compliance. This is especially true when it comes to complying with spending requirements. A knowledgeable grants practitioner may occasionally provide an absolute answer to a compliance question, but it is not uncommon to hear a more cautious response that begins with, “It depends.”
Ask the ExpertHow Many Quotes Do We Need for Annual Supply Purchases?
Q: We do purchase orders with several office supply companies in our area each fiscal year to “spread the love” to multiple supply companies. the purchase orders are usually $1,500 per year to each of the supply companies. This year, our procurement specialist added up the amounts we have spent on supplies in the past few years and said we need to follow the small purchase procurement procedures and get 3 quotes before we can proceed. Is this necessary for annual supply purchases? If we are spreading the funds to several supply stores, why would we be required to do a competitive process? And do we add up our historical supply purchases over several years to determine the appropriate procurement method? Roberta from Sacramento, Calif.
Monthly Newsletters
We take all the news each month and compile into a monthly newsletter for your files.
Federal Grants Development Handbook Newsletter, November 2019
Federal Grants Management Handbook Newsletter, November 2019
Single Audit Information Service Newsletter, November 2019
Federal Grants News Newsletter, November 2019
| 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.
Data Quest: Federal Government’s Quest for Standard Data and Impact on Grant Recipients
Sandra Swab |Thursday, November 14, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
In the last few years, the federal government has initiated several measures to provide Congress, program managers and the public with accurate funding information. Now, this quest to standardize both data and reporting requirements could have a major impact on your own grant management. It’s critical to understand how federal data and reporting standardization initiatives may affect both your funding programs and your internal and external reporting processes. Plus, if you do need to make changes to adapt your programs, you need best practices for managing those efforts. Let an expert show you what to expect and how to prepare.
Indirect Costs and Cost Allocation Plans – an Overview
Karen Norris |Wednesday, November 20, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Managing indirect costs was never simple. There are different indirect rates, different indirect formulas, and different rules under the uniform guidance. How is the de minimis rate used? What restrictions apply? Why would indirect costs be waived? What are cost allocation plans? Understanding the rates, formulas and rules is critical to making the most out of your grant funding!
Understanding and Managing Indirect Cost-Related Risks
Emily Flint & Eric Russell, CIA, CGAP, CGMS, MPA |Tuesday, December 03, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Is your organization aware of the requirements applicable to indirect costs under the uniform guidance? These requirements vary based on organization type and many organizations don’t understand them. Understanding the rates, formulas and rules – and mitigating your risk of noncompliance – is critical to making the most out of your grant funding!
Internal Controls in the Single Audit Environment
Veronica Cook & Michaela Kay |Tuesday, December 17, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
The 2019 Compliance Supplement and the uniform grant guidance makes internal controls a top priority for all nonprofits. It’s crucial to know how auditors look at internal controls during a single audit vs. a financial statement audit. You must understand how the COSO framework applies to your own internal controls, enterprise risk management and fraud deterrence. Plus, you need the right documentation. Let two audit experts show you what to put in place before auditors arrive.
