On March 12, 2020 and March 19, 2020, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released memorandums M-20-11 and M-20-17.
On March 12, 2020 and March 19, 2020, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released memorandums M-20-11 and M-20-17.
On March 12, 2020 and March 19, 2020, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released memorandums M-20-11 and M-20-17 (hereafter, “memos”), respectively, regarding the Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations. The OMB guidance was issued to facilitate continued research and services necessary to carry out the emergency response related to COVID-19 and in recognition that COVID-19 has caused significant challenges to the operations of grant recipients across the country.
The memos provide relief and flexibility in several key areas. Perhaps most notably, the guidance provides for a 6-month extension of the federal single audit submission deadline for fiscal year ends through June 30, 2020. This extension applies to grant recipients who have not filed as of the date of the memos and does not require individual approval prior to it being taken, however documentation supporting the reason of the delay should be maintained.
In addition to the above, general guidance was issued specifically to awarding agencies. Flexibility may be provided at the option of the awarding agency in the following areas:
In all the above cases the grantor agencies should provide guidance specifically on any actions that they are allowing, and grant recipients should reach out to grantors in the absence of clarifying guidance. Documentation of any exceptions, extensions, or changes utilized by grantees and allowed by awarding agencies should be maintained.
The below are links to the aforementioned memos. Please note, these exceptions are time limited and OMB will be reassessing these exceptions within 90 days of the March 19, 2020 memo.