July 27 – 31, 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 traditional 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 NewsGAO Calls for Improved Transit Program Guidance
The Government Accountability Office (GAO), in a recent report, recommended that the Department of Transportation Federal Transit Agency (FTA) better explain the factors it uses when selecting projects for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, and better communicate why projects are not advancing through the pre-award development phase. While FTA, in turn, responded that its current review processes are adequate, GAO maintained that its recommendation would help ensure the effectiveness and transparency of FTA project reviews.
Grants Management NewsGrantees Advised To Prepare Now For Uniform Guidance Revisions
While grant recipients wait for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to finalize its proposed revisions to the uniform guidance later this year, they are encouraged to have an internal plan in place to address these changes once implemented, according to panelists speaking at Thompson Grants’ recent Town Hall virtual forum.
READ MOREEPA Updates FAQ To Address M-20-26 Provisions
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant recipients may continue to compensate employees whose work on EPA financial assistance agreements has been interrupted due to the impact of COVID-19 as long as they continue to compensate employees whose salaries or benefits are funded from other sources, according to an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document recently issued by the agency.
READ MOREAgency Developments: September 2020
NIH Outlines Process for Investigating Allegations of Sexual Harassment. If someone has a concern “that sexual harassment is affecting an NIH-funded project,” the agency wants to hear about it. To that end and to ensure transparency to the process, NIH has published its standard operating procedures for responding to allegations of sexual harassment in funded projects. This information is being posted in part in follow up to one of the recommendations of the ACD Working Group on Changing the Culture to End Sexual Harassment, wrote Michael Lauer, NIH deputy director for extramural research, and Carrie Wolinetz, NIH associate director for science policy, in a recent blog posting.
Single Audit NewsWisc. Agency Evaluating Response to Overpayments
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) planned by mid-August to determine how many individuals were overpaid benefits from the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program in April, after a Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau (WLAB) audit estimated that the department erroneously issued more than $21 million in overpayments in a two-day period.
Grants Intelligence – August 2020How to Use the OMB Compliance Supplement to Prepare for Your Single Audit
Every year, thousands of organizations have a single audit performed related to their federal funding. Organizations that expend $750,000 or more in federal funding (received directly or through a pass-through) are required to have a single audit under the Single Audit Act of 1984, as amended. This audit is a compliance-based audit as required under Subpart F of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) uniform guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200). For the auditee organization, this is an audit in addition to their financial statement audit. It is driven by compliance requirements, which can be quite complex.
Ask the ExpertDo We Always Have To Go With the Lowest Bidder?
Q: When procuring services for a small purchase ($10,000-$249,000), does the entity have to go with the lowest bidder, or can we use other factors? I am asking because I see that for “Architectural/Engineering,” it specifically spells out that other factors can be considered. The idea of going with the lowest bid has caused some concerns regarding compromising quality in lieu of cost. What if our policy spells out that other factors would be considered when selecting a contractor for a small purchase. Is this something we can do, or must we choose the lowest bidder? I keep getting varying explanations. I read §200.320, but want to be certain that I am reading this accurately. Juan in Los Angeles, Calif.
READ MORECan the Cost of a Conference Be Charged to a Grant if Not Attended?
Q: Can the cost of a conference paid for but not attended due to an emergency be charged to a grant? I feel it would not be allocable to the grant, but need your expert opinion. Theresa in Youngstown, Ohio
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:
¶114 – Added information about OMB Memorandum M-20-26 and made other editorial revisions
¶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
Federal Grants Management Handbook:
Federal Grants Management Handbook Newsletter, August 2020
¶102 – Updated information on Thompson Grants’ product line
¶370 – Added information about OMB Memorandum M-20-26 and made other editorial revisions
Single Audit Information Service:
Single Audit Information Service Newsletter, August 2020
Guidance ¶102 — Updated information about Thompson Grants’ product line
Guidance ¶103 — Updated information about the Grants Compliance Expert
Guidance ¶105 — Deleted references to outdated information
¶1150 — Updated section to change references to Assistance Listings
Guide to Managing Federal Grants for Colleges and Universities:
Federal Grants News Newsletter, July-August 2020
¶744 — Misconduct in Science (added content about threats to research integrity)
¶210 – Updated information pertaining to the use of the DUNS number and made other editorial revisions)
¶370 — COVID-19 Implications on Grants (information added on M-20-26)
| 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.
Grant Budget Development That Makes Cents
Cyndi MacKenzie, GPC |Tuesday, August 11, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Grant proposals require budgets. Whether simple or complex, those budgets must match the story of your narrative and directly support proposed implementation plans. But what if you’re not a tax consultant, expert in the uniform guidance or an accountant? What if you flunked algebra? The good news is that you can still create a strong budget. It just takes some simple training. Start with this new grants webinar. In 90-minutes, even first-time grant applicants learn how to develop that budget without fear or stress—and with success.
Fraud Prevention and Detection During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jack Reagan |Thursday, August 13, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
You’ve received your money from the government. You’ve readjusted your budget and spending for your organization. Have you adjust your internal controls? The audit for the CARES Act funding and the Paycheck Protection Program are inevitable. Managing the extra money can put an incredible strain on your existing internal controls, which leads to an increase in the risk of fraud. This new webinar will address how public sector organizations can successfully mitigate that risk through fraud prevention and detection.
Demonstrating Program Impact in Reporting
Scot Scala, GPC, M.Ed., and GPA Approved Trainer |Wednesday, September 16, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Unless you can demonstrate program impact effectively, grant funders and other supporters may not realize how much you’ve achieved. That’s why it’s critical to focus on measuring impact and reporting performance so it highlights the outcomes and results that matter most to stakeholders. Let a fund development expert show you how, starting with the best way to use the SMART Outcome Measurement Model.