Grants Management

Federal Grants Management Services

The federal government provides numerous grants for state and local agencies as well as individuals and companies. In exchange, the entities receiving federal grants must meet numerous program rules and requirements.

Brustein & Manasevit has extensive experience with federal grants management and compliance. We regularly advise clients nationwide on matters such as:

• How federal dollars can be used.
• How to account for those dollars.
• What records need to be kept.
• How long records need to be kept.
• Negotiation of indirect costs rates and cost allocation plans.
• Requirements of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA).
• Requirements of the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Requirements of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).

Our attorneys have experience in developing preventative measures to avoid audit exposure in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA or IDEA), student financial aid and other programs provided by the Higher Education Act (HEA). In addition, our attorneys work with grants administered by the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Department of Agriculture.

The firm's experience with Federal audits and grants management includes extensive knowledge of the Single Audit Act, the Cash Management Improvement Act, and the Tydings Amendment. Our attorneys routinely counsel entities in the development of Federal grant applications, cost allocation plans, indirect cost rate applications, and other related submissions to the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services.

In addition, the firm advises clients on the regulatory circulars issued by the Office of Management and Budget, including:

• Circular A-21: Cost Principles for Educational Institutions.
• Circular A-50: Federal Audit Followup.
• Circular A-87: Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments.
• Circular A-102: Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments.
• Circular A-110: Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-Profit Organizations.
• Circular A-122: Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations.
• Circular A-133: Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.

Audit compliance consulting
Brustein & Manasevit emphasizes identifying and solving grants management problems before auditors or a Federal agency identify them. To that effect, we have long-standing "maintenance" relationships with many clients that allow us to provide preventative grants management counseling through routine reviews. These relationships allow for both the early identification of potential audit issues and for the development of creative effort-saving solutions.

Brustein & Manasevit has also obtained federal agency approval for clients to implement administrative policies that have saved clients substantial effort in complying with Federal cost principles and other grants management regulations. These innovative solutions include crafting "substitute systems" for time distribution, flexibility for reporting on consolidated agency administration, and the development of innovative waivers and cost allocation plans.

Debarment and Suspension
Brustein & Manasevit also represents individuals and companies facing debarment or suspension from participation in Federal programs. Over its history, the firm has successfully negotiated favorable settlements in several debarment actions and has reduced the length of debarments and suspensions sought by the U.S. Department of Education.

Learn More About Grants Management
The most proactive approach to resolving federal grant compliance problems is to avoid their occurrence. To this end, the firm provides training seminars and workshops on grants management. Our attorneys also provide legislative services to keep state and local educational agencies informed about changes to federal education programs and federal grants issues.

Free initial consultation: Contact Brustein & Manasevit