The document summarizes a presentation by Cynthia Montgomery, Deputy Director of the Office of Grants and Financial Management, delivered at a Council on Governmental Relations meeting in March 2015. The presentation addresses the challenges and initiatives faced by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) during the implementation of 2 CFR Part 200, also known as the Uniform Guidance. This implementation coincides with significant legislative and policy changes, notably the 2014 Farm Bill, which introduced new program requirements, regulatory processes, and matching fund stipulations, including exceptions and waiver procedures. The presentation highlights the introduction and modification of various competitive grant programs and initiatives such as the Center of Excellence, and outlines new opportunities in areas like agricultural research, farm safety, aquaculture, organic agriculture, and biotechnology risk assessment.
NIFA's efforts include the adoption of a new comprehensive Financial Assistance Policy Guide to provide unified guidance for both competitive and capacity grants, replacing older administrative manuals. The agency also addresses challenges relating to conflict of interest, compliance with federal awardee performance metrics, OMB data directives, and indirect costs. Administrative metrics, such as inventory of grant awards and agency exceptions, were reported as part of these reforms. NIFA aligns its award terms and conditions with USDA-wide standards while developing agency-specific supplements and emphasizes improved communication strategies throughout the transition. The overarching goal is to streamline administrative processes, ensure compliance with federal requirements, and enhance clarity and consistency in grant management.
