Federal Manager's Daily Report

New House Virus Relief Bill Backs Federal Employee Benefits Changes, but Prospects Uncertain Image: Nicole Glass Photography/Shutterstock.com

OMB has issued an extension of several special grants policies allowing agencies to be more flexible toward recipients who are engaged in Coronavirus response activities.

Memo M-20-26 says that “many recipients learned the capabilities and are now getting the experience to perform the objectives of the federal programs remotely with limited access to their physical office” but that an extension is needed “due to the uncertainty of the re-opening phase and the speed of the ramp-up effort.”

OMB extended through September 30 an authority allowing recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to active federal awards consistent with the recipients’ policy of paying salaries from all funding sources, federal and non-federal. It also extended through December 31 an authority allowing recipients and subrecipients of awards to delay filing certain audit reports for up to six months beyond the regular due date.

It adds, “As program managers are considering the extension of the administrative and financial relief, they should be prudent in their stewardship of Federal resources, which includes giving consideration to potential offsets-e.g., reduction in training and travel. In addition, agencies are reminded of their existing flexibility to issue exceptions on a case-by-case basis.”

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Federal Manager’s Handbook, 6th Ed.