NOAA GRANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION

NESDIS ADMINISTRATORS MEETING

OCTOBER 27, 2005

NEPA AWARENESS

• National Environmental Policy Act Concerns

• Changes may be forthcoming for FY 2006

• No change to Act

• Implications for NESDIS actions is minimal but may ease (or increase) burden dependent upon final NOAA OGC determination (still not finalized)

NEPA AWARENESS

• MAJOR FEDERAL ACTION – JOINT/COOPERATIVE INSTITUTE

• PROGRAM OFFICE MAY HAVE TO REVIEW FOR NEPA ISSUES

• MAY BE ADDITIONAL LAYER OF NOAA OGC REVIEW

• GRANTS ONLINE MAY BE ADJUSTED TO ACCOMMODATE ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

NOAA BUSINESS PROCESS RE-ENGINEERING

• Virtually all phases of NOAA administration under review in FY 2005

• Detailed Study of all “As Is” processes

• Follow up recommendations for “To Be”

• Grants Process is first up for senior NOAA management review

• Would impact all phases of grants management

NOAA BUSINESS PROCESS RE-ENGINEERING

• Grants Specialists to work more closely with Federal Program Officers at all phases of the grants process

• Earlier and more open communication among all parties

• Better work flow among Applicants/Budget Offices/Line Office/Grants Management/Finance/Grantees

• Bottom line is for a higher quality and more streamlined process

Public Law 108-199 Contractual Work

• PL 108-199 continues to be in effect• Contractual work “may” be okay under NESDIS

cooperative institutes• Focus needs to be on scientific research type

activities as intended in Act• Would not authorize personal services type

contractual work• Would make Cooperative Institutes cooperative

agreements hybrid type awards