Grant & CRADA Management

Introduction to Grants and Cooperative Agreements

Course Description:
This course serves as a primer for Federal employees new to the area of Federal assistance. The curriculum focuses on the "best management practices" necessary to effectively and efficiently administer grant programs.
Topics covered include a sketch of the historical development of Federal assistance programs; their impact on the nation's development; applicable administrative standards; proper instrument selection, and cost principles.

Learning Objectives:
* Describe the role that assistance programs have played in the nation's economic development.
* Distinguish the different administrative standards that are applicable to assistance projects and how they are applied.
* Describe the basics of proper instrument selection.
* Identify the differences between direct and indirect cost, as well as allowable and unallowable costs.

Selecting Appropriate Funding Instruments

Course Description:
This course provides managers, supervisors, and other non-contracting personnel with a basic overview of the Federal acquisition system. Emphasis is on the roles and responsibilities of all government parties to the Federal acquisition process and on how the Federal acquisition process can help managers accomplish their missions.

Prerequisites:
* Acquisition Planning I
* Cost Analysis
* Price Analysis.

Learning Objectives:
* Judge when it is appropriate to use a contract, grant or cooperative agreement.
* Identify the fundamental steps necessary in making instrument selection decisions.
* Describe the steps to take when third parties are involved.
* Discuss the impact substantial involvement has on your decisions.
* Describe the importance of familiarity with the program's authorizing or appropriation statutes

Uniform Administrative Requirements for the Administration of Grants and Cooperative Agreements

Course Description:
The standards which underlie the administration of all Federal assistance programs are found in OMB Circular A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and & Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments and OMB Circular A-110, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants & Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-Profit Organizations. This course is designed to provide assistance recipients and government administrators with the fundamental knowledge necessary to properly administer their projects in accordance with the standards set forth in these circulars.
Topics covered include the application process, budget development and management, property management, program income, payment options, procurement, monitoring, audit and closeout.
This is a basic course, which focuses on the principles contained within the circulars in the context of the programs in which the students are primarily involved.

Learning Objectives:
* Describe the reasons for the circulars and the history of their development.
* Explain the content of the various elements contained within the circulars and their applicability to different programs and circumstances.
* Describe the unique nature of individual assistance programs.