Grant Policies for States

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Performance Partnership Grants for States Grants Policy Issuance 15-01


This policy is effective October 1, 2015, and is designed to increase awareness of the administrative and programmatic flexibility available through Performance Partnership Grants (PPGs), encourage PPG use, ensure consistent PPG implementation and management, and establish a PPG training program for EPA staff and managers. The policy was developed by a State-EPA Workgroup and is being issued jointly by the Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD) and by the Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR), the National Program Manager (NPM) for Performance Partnership Grants (PPGs).

Contacts:

AO/Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR):  Reynold Meni (202) 564-3669

Office of Administration and Resources Management (OARM)/Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD):  Julie Milazzo (415) 972-3687

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Timely obligation, award, and expenditure of EPA grant funds Grants Policy Issuance 12-06


Developed by a state-EPA workgroup, and generally effective October 1, 2012, the policy is designed to promote timely and efficient award/utilization of grant funds. Major provisions include: 1) a goal to obligate all grant funds in the first year of availability; 2) for grant competitions, a new evaluation factor and provisions for anticipatory announcements; 3) state grant streamlining principles and requirements for negotiating outlay strategies; 4) additional limits on project period extensions; and 5) CWA section 319-specific and SRF-specific streamlining reforms.

Please contact Jennifer Hublar in Office of Administration and Resources Management (OARM)/Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD) at (202) 564-5294 should you have any questions related to the Grants Policy Issuance (GPI).

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State grant workplans and progress reports grants policy issuance 11-03


The grants policy issuance 11-03, state grant workplans and progress reports, was developed by the state grant workplan workgroup, composed of EPA and state grant practitioners, and replaces the state grant performance measures template. It is designed to 1) enhance accountability for achieving grant performance objectives; 2) ensure that state grants are aligned with the agency’s strategic plan; and 3) provide for more consistent performance reporting. To achieve those objectives, the GPI requires that workplans and associated progress reports prominently display three Essential Elements: the EPA strategic plan goal; the EPA strategic plan objective; and workplan commitments plus time frame.

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The Grants Policy Issuance (GPI) applies to the fourteen state grant programs previously subject to the state grant performance measures template. It supplements, but in no way supersedes, existing workplan requirements in 40 C.F.R. Part 35 Subpart A. The effective date of the Grants Policy Issuance (GPI) is October 1, 2012.  Regions and states should begin to transition to the new approach and the Grants Policy Issuance (GPI) should be included in FY 2013 workplan negotiations.

As the policy is implemented, it will be important for national program managers and regional program offices to provide appropriate outreach, assistance and education to state recipients. In addition, the Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD) will work with the regions on a case-by case basis to address any implementation challenges.

To further transparency, the Grants Policy Issuance (GPI) calls for the establishment of an information technology application to electronically store workplans and progress reports. The state grant workplan information technology application will be available beginning in October 2012.

Please contact Jennifer Hublar of Office of Administration and Resources Management (OARM)/Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD) at (202) 564-5294 should you have any questions related to the GPI.

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