Financial
Assistance Communication Liaison Policy Release: 2007 - 1
To: Financial
Assistance Communication Liaisons
Subject: Enhancing Quality Assurance in the Award and
Administration of Financial Assistance Transactions
The purpose of this policy issuance is to provide bureau/office financial assistance programs with additional quality assurance tools for immediate use, and to reiterate the requirements found in Part 505, Section 2 of the Departmental Manual (DM) regarding:
. selection of the appropriate award instrument, i.e., grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement;
. the need for clear legal authority for entering into financial assistance
agreements; and
. increased competition, where appropriate, and transparency in all financial
assistance transactions.
For the purpose of this policy, financial assistance awards are defined as grants and cooperative agreements.
In an
effort to ensure that Department of the Interior financial assistance awards
are made in accordance with Office of Management and Budget policy and 505
Departmental Manual (DM) requirements, all financial assistance awards must
include a completed Financial Assistance Agreement Review Sheet (attached).
This checklist must also be used in the conduct of management reviews of
financial assistance transactions. A copy of the checklist was also provided to
bureaus/offices with the
In completing the checklist, financial assistance officials must ensure that they address the applicability and extent of competition for each transaction awarded.
A flowchart mapping the process bureaus\offices should use when determining proper award instrument selection is also attached for immediate use and reference.
Copies of this policy with the attached checklist and flowchart will be posted to the Office of Acquisition and Property Management Financial Assistance policy and regulations website at: http://www.doi.gov/pamJpamfaeg.html.
Please contact Kate Oliver of my staff at 202-208-3345 if you have any additional questions.
Debra E. Sonderman, Director
Office of Acquisition and Property
Management