1. RFA through Payment Charisse West – Kansas State University Eric D. Still – USDA NIFA Bruce Mertz – USDA NIFA

2. RFA through Payment Begins with the Appropriation Process Presidents Budget House Version Senate Version Final Approved Version

3. Fiscal YearFunding AmountDate Passed FY2009$1.37 B March 12, 2009 FY2010$1.49 B Oct 21, 2009 FY2011$1.21 B April 15, 2011 FY2012$1.21 B Nov 18, 2011 Proposed FY2013$1.24 B Unknown

4. RFA Steps 1.Drafted by a team of National Program Leaders 2.Reviewed by program staff 3.Policy staff review for legislative compliance (possibly by USDA General Council as well) 4.NIFA Director review 5.Office of the Secretary review 6.Return to step 2 for any issues raised at steps 3 through 5 7.Posted on Grants.gov

5. Recipient Grant Office Roles Read RFAs Help investigators decide – to apply or not apply?? Work with PDs/PIs to prepare Budgets Review Proposal Content Ensure all proposal attachments are pdfs

6. Recipient Grant Office Roles Line up proper registrations: DUNS, FEIN and CCR If possible, ensure all compliance issues are met prior to submission (IACUC, IRB, NEPA) Sign off and Submit Proposal to Grants.gov Typically 4 to 6 weeks to get application in order

7. National Program Leaders Accept Proposals from grants.gov Proposals must be Submitted before DEADLINE Select Peer Review Panel Dates/Members Diverse Group Experts in their field Make funding recommendations to Deputy Administrator

8. Preparing Required Award Documents Panel Recommendations Applicant Award Negotiation National Program Leader (NPL) Recommendations Recommended Award Data (RAD)

9. Awards Management Division (AMD) Conducts Administrative Review Verifies Required Documents Allowable/Reasonable Costs Additional Information/Clarification – Authorized Representative Forwards to Authorized Departmental Officer for Signature Ensures compliance with policy, regulations, and legislation Notifies Recipient – PD and AR via email

10. Financial Operations Division-FOD Within USDA NIFA, Funds are: 1.Recommended by Program 2.Approved and Obligated by AMD 3.Committed, Obligated and Certified by FOD

11. Financial Operations Division- FOD NIFA utilizes the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system to distribute grants to grantee institutions throughout the United States. ASAP is a web-based electronic grants payment and information system developed by the Financial Management Services (FMS) under the Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond ASAP allow grantee institutions receiving federal grants to draw down funds from accounts pre-authorized by NIFA. ASAP receives payment requests and transmits payment to either the Federal Reserve Bank or the U.S. Treasury for deposit into the grantee’s bank account.

12. Financial Operations Division-FOD The AR (Authorized Representative) identified on the SF-424 will receive the “ASAP Award Letter” from NIFA with instructions on how to establish an account in the ASAP system. FOD verifies the Duns# (Duns and Bradstreet) and EIN# (Employer Identification Number) listed on the SF-424. FOD will initiate the enrollment process for the Recipient in ASAP. The AR (Authorized Representative) will receive an email from the Treasury ASAP customer service division identifying their User ID. The temporary password will be mailed to the address provided on the SF-244. FOD recommends you contact the Treasury ASAP customer service division (215) 516-8021 to ascertain the temporary password by phone to expedite the enrollment process.

13. Financial Operations Division-FOD The Recipient has 45 days to complete each step of the following enrollment categories in ASAP. Initiates RO and POC (Completed by FOD) Point of Contact Names Organization Officials Head of Organization Approves Official Authorization Officials Defines Recipient Profile Authorizing Official Defines Recipient Organizations Users Financial Official Defines Banking Information If the Recipient fails to complete all steps, the enrollment status will be rejected, and the Recipient will need to contact FOD to re-initiate the ASAP enrollment process. This will significantly delay access to funds..

14. Financial Operations Division-FOD FOD creates the account in ASAP for authorization FOD authorizes the account and loads the money on the account in ASAP The Certifying Officer reviews and approves the authorization and certifies the funds in ASAP. At this point, the funds are available to the Recipient for withdrawal. Funds should be available to the Recipient no later than 30 days pending any withholding of funds or successful completion of the ASAP enrollment process.

15. Financial Operations Division-FOD Financial Operations Division ASAP Customer Service Telephone: 202-401-4527 Hour of Operation M-F 7:30am to 4pm www.ASAPcustomerservice@nifa.usda.gov Categories:  Payment Status  Return Funds

16. Post Award Management – AMD and Grant Office Roles –No-Cost Extension –Release of Funds –Budget Changes –Project Director Changes –Reporting –Close Out

17. Financial Reporting Old SF269 has been replaced by SF425 Financial reports should be submitted ANNUALLY to AMD: preferred method is email at: awards@nifa.usda.gov.awards@nifa.usda.gov Questions concerning administrative matters should be directed to the administrative contact in block 14 of the Award Face Sheet

18. Post Award Evaluation Site Visits PD Meetings Technical Reporting Financial reporting

19. Offices of Responsibility RFAs – OGFM Policy Awards – OGFM Awards Management Division (AMB) Application Review/Processing – Program Offices Payments/Funding of Awards – OGFM Financial Operations Division (FOD) Ask your Administrative Point of Contact

20. Resources NIFA Website: http://nifa.usda.gov/business/applying_for_grant.htmlhttp://nifa.usda.gov/business/applying_for_grant.html; http://nifa.usda.gov/business/managing_grant.html Your Peers Grants.gov Applicant Resources & Grantor Resources White House website www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms; www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms

21. Questions?