OMB Offers Strategies to Reduce Grant Recipient Reporting Burden
Excerpted from OMB Memorandum M-18-24
Annually, the federal government spends about $700 billion on grants and cooperative agreements for approximately 1,800 different funding opportunities/categories awarded to more than 40,000 grant recipients.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has released a memorandum outlining steps the federal government is taking to reduce grant recipient reporting burden. Below are some highlights:
- Integrating New Data Standards
OMB has identified that grant recipient burden can be alleviated by (1) defining and collecting required data elements in a central and open repository, (2) collecting data from grant recipients centrally, and (3) re-using and auto populating government systems using data collected. Government-wide core grants management data standards are expected to be finalized by the Grants Management Federal Integrated Business Framework (FIBF) by September 30, 2018. By April 30, 2019, agencies must submit a plan describing their strategy for integrating the new data standards into current and/or future grant systems.
- Sharing Systems and Services
All federal agencies will work together with the OMB to reduce the number of existing legacy systems and grant recipient burden by sharing quality services and systems.
- Phasing Out the SF-424B Form
Beginning January 1, 2019, the SF-424B will become optional and agencies should make plans to phase out its use in Funding Opportunity Announcements.
- Centralizing Certifications and Representations Using SAM.gov
Effective January 1, 2020, the System for Award Management (SAM) will become the central repository for common government-wide certifications and representations required of federal grants recipients. Federal agencies will use SAM information to comply with award requirements and avoid increased burden and costs of separate requests for such information.
Excerpted from OMB Memorandum M-18-24 for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, September 5, 2018. Read the full OMB Memo M-18-24 on the White House website.
