Grants and Agreements Vs Contract
Started by buddyandme · Jan 17, 2014 · 7 replies
- bOriginal post
buddyandme
Jan 17, 2014 · 12y ago
My internal customer has a training requirement for state and local emergency managers that will benefit both the federal government and state and local agencies. The state agency receives benefit by having their local and state emergency managers trained by subject matter experts, and the federal government receives benefit by having well trained local and state emergency managers that will be better prepared to assist federal emergency managers in protecting the general public during a disaster.
Because the training is meant to accomplish a public objective and the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act (FGCAA) which states in part an "agency shall use a cooperative agreement when the principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer a thing of value to the State, local government". Accordingly, I have considered directing the customer to use a Grant or Cooperative Agreement.
On the other hand, the federal government is also receiving benefit because better trained state and local emergency managers will save property and lives, and the federal government money; so because the federal government is receiving a direct benefit a procurement contract can also be used.
If I am correct in my assumptions regarding who receives benefit, what is the most correct instrument to use, a grant or cooperative agreement or a procurement contract?
Is there a litmus test that can be used to assist in making this decision?
Comments are appreciated.
- j
ji20874
Jan 17, 2014 · 12y ago
Who has the money?
Who is providing the training?
Who is receiving the training?
- b
buddyandme
Jan 17, 2014 · 12y ago
The funds are appropriated
The State will provide the training
State and local emergency managers and federal emergency managers
- R
Retreadfed
Jan 17, 2014 · 12y ago
What does the appropriation say the funds can be used for?
Why would you issue a grant to a state to provide training to Federal employees?
Will the Federal employees attend the same training sessions as the state employees?
- j
ji20874
Jan 17, 2014 · 12y ago
Who has the money (does a federal agency have the money)? Is that agency authorized to issue grants?
Who is your "internal customer"? The state agency?
I do not think you are correct at all in "[your] assumptions regarding who receives benefit" -- I think you're stretching in your explanations of who receives benefits.
- b
buddyandme
Jan 17, 2014 · 12y ago
The funds are appropriated but I do not know for what specific purpose they are intended. Without asking I would say the primary purpose of these funds is National Preparedness, but I will ask.
Who is your "internal customer"?
My internal customer is FEMA's National Preparedness Division
Regarding who receives benefit...I would say the state and local emergency managers are receiving the primary benefit but FEMA personnel are also encouraged to take the courses being provided by the states subject matter experts and so also receive benefit. Looking at the big picture, state, local and federal all benefit from the training provided for by these appropriated dollars since the primary purpose of this training is emergency management and National Preparedness.
- f
formerfed
Jan 23, 2014 · 12y ago
I don't think anyone here knows enough to answer your questions, or I wouldn't rely on the answers. These are about appropriations, grants, and cooperative agreements and the subject quickly gets tricky for novices. For example the issues involves use of specific apropriations, what is the proper vehicle to use and whether the agency has the authority, and questions about selecting the source of the training.
- b
buddyandme
Jan 27, 2014 · 12y ago
formerfed,
Where is the easy button when you need it. Thanks for the input.