Within the federal assistance category, federal law draws a distinction between a grant and a cooperative agreement. Unlike in a grant, in a cooperative agreement “substantial involvement” by the federal agency is expected during performance. Federal agencies make the choice of what instrument to use.

Unfortunately, experience has shown that some federal agencies misuse cooperative agreements. Some clearly choose to award them, in part, to avoid the strict competition rules for awarding contracts. Others favor them as a means to exercise greater control over recipients in a variety of ways during the post-award phase. Frustrated recipients sometimes privately use phrases like “micro-management” and “over-reach” when they describe these “cooperative” relationships.

So, what’s the real deal? How can recipients make informed decisions about whether to apply for cooperative agreements? And how can they negotiate and sustain a productive arrangement where the proper prerogatives of each party are understood and respected?

The answer is — by understanding and using the federal policies that are intended to define the relationship. This webinar will provide clarity to the arrangement. You’ll learn about:

• The key Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act, and its important statements on cooperative agreements
• The similarities and differences between contracts, grants and cooperative agreements
• The Office of Management and Budget implementation guidance to federal agencies
• The role of the uniform administrative requirements and cost principles
• The required cooperative agreement disclosures in federal program announcements
• What constitutes acceptable “substantial involvement” — and what doesn’t
• How substantial involvement is incorporated into award terms and conditions
• Programmatic vs. administrative “involvement”
• How to manage requirements for meetings, reports and other communications
• The rules for converting a cooperative agreement to a grant and vice versa

Cooperative agreements are the “go-to” assistance award instrument for many federal agencies. If you have one or more in your award portfolio or you might in the future, this webinar will help you effectively manage your pre-award and post-award decision-making.

Join Bob Lloyd — a respected authority on policies and practices for the award, administration and oversight of federal grants and contracts — for this practical session.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Grant and contract managers
• Sponsored projects administrators
• Federal project directors
• Principal investigators
• Legal counsels
• Financial and administrative officers
• Internal auditors
• External auditors

Hand-out Materials:

Attendees will receive presentation slides as well as access to background materials.

Allowable Charges

The costs of webinars sponsored by Federal Fund Management Advisor™ are allowable charges to your federal grants and subgrants. The cost principles issued by OMB under its uniform guidance (and applicable to all types of awardees) state, “The cost of training and education for employee development is allowable” (2 CFR 200.472).

Attend this Live Webinar and Earn up to 1.5 CPE Credits