Federal Grants Management Services
Brustein & Manasevit, PLLC has extensive experience with federal grants management and compliance. 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. We regularly advise clients on matters including but not limited to:
- How to ensure costs are an allowable use of funds under the various federal education programs.
- The types of records that need to be maintained to ensure funds are properly spent.
- How long records must be retained.
- 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).
- Requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars.
Learn More About Grants Management
The most proactive approach to resolving federal grant compliance problems is to avoid their occurrence. Our attorneys have experience in developing preventative measures to avoid audit exposure under federal education programs, including but not limited to, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA or IDEA), student financial aid and other programs provided by the Higher Education Act (HEA). 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.
Monitoring and Audit Compliance Consulting
The Firm’s experience with Federal monitoring visits, audits, and grants management includes extensive knowledge of EDGAR, GEPA, the OMB Circulars, the Single Audit Act, the Cash Management Improvement Act (CMIA), 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.
Brustein & Manasevit, PLLC emphasizes identifying and solving grants management problems before auditors or a Federal agency monitors 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 monitoring and audit issues and for the development of creative effort-saving solutions.
Brustein & Manasevit, PLLC 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, PLLC 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.
Free initial consultation: Contact Brustein & Manasevit