CUSTOM GRANTS COMPLIANCE TRAINING

Sample Sessions

Thompson Grants’ group training includes up to eight 90-minute training sessions spaced over two days. Each session allows for expert instruction, interactive group exercises and Q&A. CPE and GPCI continuing education credits are available upon request.

The following sessions are only what makes up our standard training agenda. We have the capability to fully customize a program that addresses the unique needs and challenges of your organization.

Session 1: Introduction to Grants Administration and a Review of OMB’s Uniform Guidance

• Learn about key definitions and the overarching principles of the uniform guidance
• Review common problem areas and explore potential solutions through processes that increase effective grants administration throughout the grant lifecycle
• Discuss where to find the numerous pre- and post-award requirements in the uniform guidance to ensure that you are managing your proposals and awards properly

Session 2: Internal Controls: Your First Line of Defense

• Identify the key components of internal controls and explore the relevant requirements under the uniform guidance
• Discuss the difference between preventative and detective controls
• Review how real-world internal controls address specific compliance weaknesses

Session 3: How to Manage Subaward Agreements and Monitor Subrecipients

• Identify similarities and differences between a subaward or assistance agreements and acquisitions or contract agreements
• Explore how to select the appropriate award instrument (i.e., contract vs. subaward)
• Learn to establish a monitoring plan and conduct site visits to improve subrecipient or contractor performance and increase accountability
• Understand the requirements of the uniform guidance as they pertain to effectively defining and managing external relationships

Session 4: Procurement Best Practices Under the Uniform Guidance

• Learn how to align your procurement practices with the uniform guidance and understand the new procurement provisions (§200.317-.327)
• Explore how to meet key challenges relating to hiring staff named in proposals, free and open competition, conflict of interest, sole source, cost principles and contract type
• Identify what to include in a procurement policy

Session 5: Indirect Cost Recovery Strategies

• Learn about different indirect cost recovery strategies
• Recognize changes to indirect costs
• Review considerations to obtain a rate
• Identify key requirements for cost allocation plans

Session 6: Policies and Procedures: Making the Uniform Guidance Work, at Work

• Learn uniform guidance requirements pertaining to grantee policies and procedures
• Identify and prioritize organizational policies and procedures that most likely will need to be created or modified to ensure compliance
• Improve proficiency when writing organizational policy and procedures to ensure they align with grant regulations
• Learn the qualities of a well-written policy or procedure

Session 7: The Ins and Outs of Program Performance

• Review tools for making and reporting substantial progress
• Discover how to assess your risk of not making substantial progress
• Learn monitoring and reporting practices that help you ensure compliance with your stated objectives
• Understand your obligations to monitor and report performance (§200.329)

Session 8: Time and Effort Reporting

• Understand what methods are acceptable for maintaining time and effort documentation
• Review best practices for developing a system for reporting time and effort
• Discuss which audit procedures to anticipate

And more! We are able to accommodate requests for specific session topics.