[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 47 (Friday, March 10, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13055-13070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5625]



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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

45 CFR Part 2543


Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements 
With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-Profit 
Organizations

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Corporation for National and 
Community Services regulations to incorporate the changes established 
by revised OMB Circular 1-110, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements 
for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, 
Hospitals and Other Non-Profit Organizations,'' published by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) on November 29, 1993. Consistent with 
the Circular, this rule applies to Corporation for National and 
Community Service awards to institutions of higher education, 
hospitals, and other non-profit organizations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 10, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The Corporation for National and Community Service, 1201 New 
York Ave. NW., Washington, DC. 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rina Tucker, (202) 606-5000 x257 
between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. This document will be made 
available in an alternative format upon request.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Purpose

    In November of 1990, OMB established an interagency task force to 
review the Circular with a view toward its revision based on 
recommendations solicited from affected organizations such as 
universities and other non-profit groups. The task force developed a 
proposed revision of the Circular, which OMB published on August 27, 
1992 (57 FR 39018). After considering the over 200 comments from a wide 
variety of federal and non-federal respondents, OMB published the final 
revised Circular in the Federal Register on November 29, 1993 (58 FR 
62992).
    OMB Circular A-110 sets forth government-wide standards governing 
Federal agency administration of grants and other agreements with 
institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit 
organizations. Federal agencies must apply the provisions of the 
Circular in making awards to the covered entities; all primary 
recipients (including governments) of Federal awards must also apply 
the Circular's provisions to any subawards they make to such entities. 
Those provisions that affect Federal agencies were effective on 
December 29, 1993 (58 FR 62992-93). With respect to the Circular's 
application to recipients of Federal agency awards, OMB's notice 
directed each affect agency to promulgate its own rules adopting the 
provisions of the Circular (58 FR 62992-93).
    Accordingly, the Corporation is publishing this final rule whose 
primary purpose is to incorporate the provisions of OMB Circular A-110 
into the Corporation's grants administration regulations at 45 CFR part 
25. Consistent with the Circular, this rule applies to Corporation 
awards made to institutions of higher education, hospitals and other 
non-profit organizations.

II. Regulatory Impact Analysis

    In keeping with the requirements of 44 U.S.C. 3504(h), the 
information collection requirements contained in this rule have been 
approved by OMB as Standard Forms. This rule will not have a 
substantial impact on a significant number of small entities, thus a 
regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared pursuant to the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. The agency has 
determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment 
pursuant to Executive Order 12612. In addition, the Agency has 
determined that implementation of this action will not have any 
significant impact on the quality of the human environment pursuant to 
the National Environmental Policy Act.

List of Subjects in 45 CFR Part 2543

    Accounting, Administrative practice and procedures, Grant 
programs--health, Grant programs--social, Grants administration, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: March 2, 1995.
Terry Russell,
General Counsel.
    Accordingly, as set forth in the preamble, the Corporation amends 
title 45, chapter XXV of the Code of Federal Regulations by adding part 
2543 to read as follows:

PART 2543--GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
EDUCATION, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Subpart A--General

Sec.
2543.1  Purpose.
2543.2  Definitions.
2543.3  Effect on other issuances.
2543.4  Deviations.
2543.5  Subawards.

Subpart B--Pre-Award Requirements

2543.10  Purpose.
2543.11  Pre-award policies.
2543.12  Forms for applying for Federal assistance.
2543.13  Debarment and suspension.
2543.14  Special award conditions.
2543.15  Metric system of measurement.
2543.16  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
2543.17  Certifications and representations.

Subpart C--Post-Award Requirements

Financial and Program Management

2543.20  Purpose of financial and program management.
2543.21  Standards for financial management systems.
2543.22  Payment.
2543.23  Cost sharing or matching.
2543.24  Program income.
2543.25  Revision of budget and program plans.
2543.26  Non-Federal audits.
2543.27  Allowable costs.
2543.28  Period of availability of funds.

Property Standards

2543.30  Purpose of property standards.
2543.31  Insurance coverage.
2543.32  Real property.
2543.33  Federally-owned and exempt property.
2543.34  Equipment.
2543.35  Supplies and other expendable property.
2543.36  Intangible property.
2543.37  Property trust relationship.

Procurement Standards

2543.40  Purpose of procurement standards.
2543.41  Recipient responsibilities. [[Page 13056]] 
2543.42  Codes of conduct.
2543.43  Competition.
2543.44  Procurement procedures.
2543.45  Cost and price analysis.
2543.46  Procurement records.
2543.47  Contract administration.
2543.48  Contract provisions.

Reports and Records

2543.50  Purpose of reports and records.
2543.51  Monitoring and reporting program performance.
2543.52  Financial reporting.
2543.53  Retention and access requirements for records.

Termination and Enforcement

2543.60  Purpose of termination and enforcement.
2543.61  Termination.
2543.62  Enforcement.

Subpart D--After-the-Award Requirements

2543.70  Purpose.
2543.71  Closeout procedures.
2543.72  Subsequent adjustments and continuing responsibilities.
2543.73  Collection of amounts due.

Subpart E--Statutory Compliance

2543.80  Contract Provisions.
2543.81  Equal Employment Opportunity.
2543.82  Copeland Anti-Kickback Act
2543.83  Davis-Bacon Act
2543.84  Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act
2543.85  Right to Inventions Made Under Contract or Agreement
2543.86  Clean Air Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
2543.87  Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment
2543.88  Debarment and Suspension

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.

Subpart A--General


Sec. 2543.1  Purpose.

    This Circular establishes uniform administrative requirements for 
Federal grants and agreements awarded to institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. Federal 
awarding agencies shall not impose additional or inconsistent 
requirements, except as provided in Sections 2543.4, and 2543.14 or 
unless specifically required by Federal statute or executive order. 
Non-profit organizations that implement Federal programs for the States 
are also subject to State requirements.


Sec. 2543.2  Definitions.

    (a) Accrued expenditures means the charges incurred by the 
recipient during a given period requiring the provision of funds for:
    (1) Goods and other tangible property received;
    (2) Services performed by employees, contractors, subrecipients, 
and other payees; and,
    (3) Other amounts becoming owed under programs for which no current 
services or performance is required.
    (b) Accrued income means the sum of:
    (1) Earnings during a given period from
    (i) Services performed by the recipient, and
    (ii) Goods and other tangible property delivered to purchasers, and
    (2) Amounts becoming owed to the recipient for which no current 
services or performance is required by the recipient.
    (c) Acquisition cost of equipment means the net invoice price of 
the equipment, including the cost of modifications, attachments, 
accessories, or auxiliary apparatus necessary to make the property 
usable for the purpose for which it was acquired. Other charges, such 
as the cost of installation, transportation, taxes, duty or protective 
in-transit insurance, shall be included or excluded from the unit 
acquisition cost in accordance with the recipient's regular accounting 
practices.
    (d) Advance means a payment made by Treasury check or other 
appropriate payment mechanism to a recipient upon its request either 
before outlays are made by the recipient or through the use of 
predetermined payment schedules.
    (e) Award means financial assistance that provides support or 
stimulation to accomplish a public purpose. Awards include grants and 
other agreements in the form of money or property in lieu of money, by 
the Federal Government to an eligible recipient. The term does not 
include: technical assistance, which provides services instead of 
money; other assistance in the form of loans, loan guarantees, interest 
subsidies, or insurance; direct payments of any kind to individuals; 
and, contracts which are required to be entered into and administered 
under procurement laws and regulations.
    (f) Cash contributions means the recipient's cash outlay, including 
the outlay of money contributed to the recipient by third parties.
    (g) Closeout means the process by which a Federal awarding agency 
determines that all applicable administrative actions and all required 
work of the award have been completed by the recipient and Federal 
awarding agency.
    (h) Contract means a procurement contract under an award or 
subaward, and a procurement subcontract under a recipient's or 
subrecipient's contract.
    (i) Cost sharing or matching means that portion of project or 
program costs not borne by the Federal Government.
    (j) Date of completion means the date on which all work under an 
award is completed or the date on the award document, or any supplement 
or amendment thereto, on which Federal sponsorship ends.
    (k) Disallowed costs means those charges to an award that the 
Federal awarding agency determines to be unallowable, in accordance 
with the applicable Federal cost principles or other terms and 
conditions contained in the award.
    (l) Equipment means tangible nonexpendable personal property 
including exempt property charged directly to the award having a useful 
life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more 
per unit. However, consistent with recipient policy, lower limits may 
be established.
    (m) Excess property means property under the control of any Federal 
awarding agency that, as determined by the head thereof, is no longer 
required for its needs or the discharge of its responsibilities.
    (n) Exempt property means tangible personal property acquired in 
whole or in part with Federal funds, where the Federal awarding agency 
has statutory authority to vest title in the recipient without further 
obligation to the Federal Government. An example of exempt property 
authority is contained in the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement 
Act (31 U.S.C. 6306), for property acquired under an award to conduct 
basic or applied research by a non-profit institution of higher 
education or non-profit organization whose principal purpose is 
conducting scientific research.
    (o) Federal awarding agency means the Federal agency that provides 
an award to the recipient.
    (p) Federal funds authorized means the total amount of Federal 
funds obligated by the Federal Government for use by the recipient. 
This amount may include any authorized carryover of unobligated funds 
from prior funding periods when permitted by agency regulations or 
agency implementing instructions.
    (q) Federal share of real property, equipment, or supplies means 
that percentage of the property's acquisition costs and any improvement 
expenditures paid with Federal funds.
    (r) Funding period means the period of time when Federal funding is 
available for obligation by the recipient.
    (s) Intangible property and debt instruments means, but is not 
limited to, trademarks, copyrights, patents and patent applications and 
such property as loans, notes and other debt instruments, lease 
agreements, stock and other instruments of property 
[[Page 13057]] ownership, whether considered tangible or intangible.
    (t) Obligations means the amounts of orders placed, contracts and 
grants awarded, services received and similar transactions during a 
given period that require payment by the recipient during the same or a 
future period.
    (u) Outlays or expenditures means charges made to the project or 
program. They may be reported on a cash or accrual basis. For reports 
prepared on a cash basis, outlays are the sum of cash disbursements for 
direct charges for goods and services, the amount of indirect expense 
charged, the value of third party in-kind contributions applied and the 
amount of cash advances and payments made to subrecipients. For reports 
prepared on an accrual basis, outlays are the sum of cash disbursements 
for direct charges for goods and services, the amount of indirect 
expense incurred, the value of in-kind contributions applied, and the 
net increase (or decrease) in the amounts owed by the recipient for 
goods and other property received, for services performed by employees, 
contractors, subrecipients and other payees and other amounts becoming 
owed under programs for which no current services or performance are 
required.
    (v) Personal property means property of any kind except real 
property. It may be tangible, having physical existence, or intangible, 
having no physical existence, such as copyrights, patents, or 
securities.
    (w) Prior approval means written approval by an authorized official 
evidencing prior consent.
    (x) Program income means gross income earned by the recipient that 
is directly generated by a supported activity or earned as a result of 
the award (see exclusions in paragraphs Sec. 2543.24 (e) and (h)). 
Program income includes, but is not limited to, income from fees for 
services performed, the use or rental of real or personal property 
acquired under federally-funded projects, the sale of commodities or 
items fabricated under an award, license fees and royalties on patents 
and copyrights, and interest on loans made with award funds. Interest 
earned on advances of Federal funds is not program income. Except as 
otherwise provided in Federal awarding agency regulations or the terms 
and conditions of the award, program income does not include the 
receipt of principal on loans, rebates, credits, discounts, etc., or 
interest earned on any of them.
    (y) Project costs means all allowable costs, as set forth in the 
applicable Federal cost principles, incurred by a recipient and the 
value of the contributions made by third parties in accomplishing the 
objectives of the award during the project period.
    (z) Project period means the period established in the award 
document during which Federal sponsorship begins and ends.
    (aa) Property means, unless otherwise stated, real property, 
equipment, intangible property and debt instruments.
    (bb) Real property means land, including land improvements, 
structures and appurtenances thereto, but excludes movable machinery 
and equipment.
    (cc) Recipient means an organization receiving financial assistance 
directly from Federal awarding agencies to carry out a project or 
program. The term includes public and private institutions of higher 
education, public and private hospitals, and other quasi-public and 
private non-profit organizations such as, but not limited to, community 
action agencies, research institutes, educational associations, and 
health centers. The term may include commercial organizations, foreign 
or international organizations (such as agencies of the United Nations) 
which are recipients, subrecipients, or contractors or subcontractors 
of recipients or subrecipients at the discretion of the Federal 
awarding agency. The term does not include government-owned contractor-
operated facilities or research centers providing continued support for 
mission-oriented, large-scale programs that are government-owned or 
controlled, or are designated as federally-funded research and 
development centers.
    (dd) Research and development means all research activities, both 
basic and applied, and all development activities that are supported at 
universities, colleges, and other non-profit institutions. ``Research'' 
is defined as a systematic study directed toward fuller scientific 
knowledge or understanding of the subject studied. ``Development'' is 
the systematic use of knowledge and understanding gained from research 
directed toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems, 
or methods, including design and development of prototypes and 
processes. The term research also includes activities involving the 
training of individuals in research techniques where such activities 
utilize the same facilities as other research and development 
activities and where such activities are not included in the 
instruction function.
    (ee) Small awards means a grant or cooperative agreement not 
exceeding the small purchase threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 403(11) 
(currently $25,000).
    (ff) Subaward means an award of financial assistance in the form of 
money, or property in lieu of money, made under an award by a recipient 
to an eligible subrecipient or by a subrecipient to a lower tier 
subrecipient. The term includes financial assistance when provided by 
any legal agreement, even if the agreement is called a contract, but 
does not include procurement of goods and services nor does it include 
any form of assistance which is excluded from the definition of 
``award'' in paragraph (e).
    (gg) Subrecipient means the legal entity to which a subaward is 
made and which is accountable to the recipient for the use of the funds 
provided. The term may include foreign or international organizations 
(such as agencies of the United Nations) at the discretion of the 
Federal awarding agency.
    (hh) Supplies means all personal property excluding equipment, 
intangible property, and debt instruments as defined in this section, 
and inventions of a contractor conceived or first actually reduced to 
practice in the performance of work under a funding agreement 
(``subject inventions''), as defined in 37 CFR part 401, ``Rights to 
Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms 
Under Government Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.''
    (ii) Suspension means an action by a Federal awarding agency that 
temporarily withdraws Federal sponsorship under an award, pending 
corrective action by the recipient or pending a decision to terminate 
the award by the Federal awarding agency. Suspension of an award is a 
separate action from suspension under Federal agency regulations 
implementing E.O.s 12549 and 12689, ``Debarment and Suspension.''
    (jj) Termination means the cancellation of Federal sponsorship, in 
whole or in part, under an agreement at any time prior to the date of 
completion.
    (kk) Third party in-kind contributions means the value of non-cash 
contributions provided by non-Federal third parties. Third party in-
kind contributions may be in the form of real property, equipment, 
supplies and other expendable property, and the value of goods and 
services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the 
project or program.
    (ll) Unliquidated obligations, for financial reports prepared on a 
cash basis, means the amount of obligations incurred by the recipient 
that have not been paid. For reports prepared on an 
[[Page 13058]] accrued expenditure basis, they represent the amount of 
obligations incurred by the recipient for which an outlay has not been 
recorded.
    (mm) Unobligated balance means the portion of the funds authorized 
by the Federal awarding agency that has not been obligated by the 
recipient and is determined by deducting the cumulative obligations 
from the cumulative funds authorized.
    (nn) Unrecovered indirect cost means the difference between the 
amount awarded and the amount which could have been awarded under the 
recipient's approved negotiated indirect cost rate.
    (oo) Working capital advance means a procedure where by funds are 
advanced to the recipient to cover its estimated disbursement needs for 
a given initial period.


Sec. 2543.3  Effect on other issuances.

    For awards subject to this Circular, all administrative 
requirements of codified program regulations, program manuals, 
handbooks and other nonregulatory materials which are inconsistent with 
the requirements of this Circular shall be superseded, except to the 
extent they are required by statute, or authorized in accordance with 
the deviations provision in Section Sec. 2543.4.


Sec. 2543.4  Deviations.

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) may grant exceptions for 
classes of grants or recipients subject to the requirements of this 
Circular when exceptions are not prohibited by statute. However, in the 
interest of maximum uniformity, exceptions from the requirements of 
this Circular shall be permitted only in unusual circumstances. Federal 
awarding agencies may apply more restrictive requirements to a class of 
recipients when approved by OMB. Federal awarding agencies may apply 
less restrictive requirements when awarding small awards, except for 
those requirements which are statutory. Exceptions on a case-by-case 
basis may also be made by Federal awarding agencies.


Sec. 2543.5  Subawards.

    Unless sections of this Circular specifically exclude subrecipients 
from coverage, the provisions of this Circular shall be applied to 
subrecipients performing work under awards if such subrecipients are 
institutions of higher education, hospitals or other non-profit 
organizations. State and local government subrecipients are subject to 
the provisions of regulations implementing the grants management common 
rule, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' published at 53 FR 8034.

Subpart B--Pre-Award Requirements


Sec. 2543.10  Purpose.

    Sections Sec. 2543.11 through Sec. 2543.17 prescribes forms and 
instructions and other pre-award matters to be used in applying for 
Federal awards.


Sec. 2543.11  Pre-award policies.

    (a) Use of Grants and Cooperative Agreements, and Contracts. In 
each instance, the Federal awarding agency shall decide on the 
appropriate award instrument (i.e., grant, cooperative agreement, or 
contract). The Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act (31 U.S.C. 
6301-08) governs the use of grants, cooperative agreements and 
contracts. A grant or cooperative agreement shall be used only when the 
principal purpose of a transaction is to accomplish a public purpose of 
support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute. The statutory 
criterion for choosing between grants and cooperative agreements is 
that for the latter, ``substantial involvement is expected between the 
executive agency and the State, local government, or other recipient 
when carrying out the activity contemplated in the agreement.'' 
Contracts shall be used when the principal purpose is acquisition of 
property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal 
Government.
    (b) Public Notice and Priority Setting. Federal awarding agencies 
shall notify the public of its intended funding priorities for 
discretionary grant programs, unless funding priorities are established 
by Federal statute.


Sec. 2543.12  Forms for applying for Federal assistance.

    (a) Federal awarding agencies shall comply with the applicable 
report clearance requirements of 5 CFR part 1320, ``Controlling 
Paperwork Burdens on the Public,'' with regard to all forms used by the 
Federal awarding agency in place of or as a supplement to the Standard 
Form 424 (SF-424) series.
    (b) Applicants shall use the SF-424 series or those forms and 
instructions prescribed by the Federal awarding agency.
    (c) For Federal programs covered by E.O. 12372, ``Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs,'' the applicant shall complete the 
appropriate sections of the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) 
indicating whether the application was subject to review by the State 
Single Point of Contact (SPOC). The name and address of the SPOC for a 
particular State can be obtained from the Federal awarding agency or 
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The SPOC shall advise the 
applicant whether the program for which application is made has been 
selected by that State for review.
    (d) Federal awarding agencies that do not use the SF-424 form 
should indicate whether the application is subject to review by the 
State under E.O. 12372.


Sec. 2543.13  Debarment and suspension.

    Federal awarding agencies and recipients shall comply with the 
nonprocurement debarment and suspension common rule implementing E.O.s 
12549 and 12689, ``Debarment and Suspension.'' This common rule 
restricts subawards and contracts with certain parties that are 
debarred, suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for 
participation in Federal assistance programs or activities.


Sec. 2543.14  Special award conditions.

    If an applicant or recipient:
    (a) has a history of poor performance,
    (b) is not financially stable,
    (c) has a management system that does not meet the standards 
prescribed in this Circular,
    (d) has not conformed to the terms and conditions of a previous 
award, or
    (e) is not otherwise responsible, Federal awarding agencies may 
impose additional requirements as needed, provided that such applicant 
or recipient is notified in writing as to: the nature of the additional 
requirements, the reason why the additional requirements are being 
imposed, the nature of the corrective action needed, the time allowed 
for completing the corrective actions, and the method for requesting 
reconsideration of the additional requirements imposed. Any special 
conditions shall be promptly removed once the conditions that prompted 
them have been corrected.


Sec. 2543.15  Metric system of measurement.

    The Metric Conversion Act, as amended by the Omnibus Trade and 
Competitiveness Act (15 U.S.C. 205) declares that the metric system is 
the preferred measurement system for U.S. trade and commerce. The Act 
requires each Federal agency to establish a date or dates in 
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, when the metric system of 
measurement will be used in the agency's procurements, grants, and 
other business-related activities. Metric implementation may take 
longer where the use of the system is initially impractical or likely 
to cause significant inefficiencies in the accomplishment of 
[[Page 13059]] federally-funded activities. Federal awarding agencies 
shall follow the provisions of E.O. 12770, ``Metric Usage in Federal 
Government Programs.''


Sec. 2543.16  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

    Under the Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 
6962), any State agency or agency of a political subdivision of a State 
which is using appropriated Federal funds must comply with Section 
6002. Section 6002 requires that preference be given in procurement 
programs to the purchase of specific products containing recycled 
materials identified in guidelines developed by the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) (40 CFR parts 247-254).

    Accordingly, State and local institutions of higher education, 
hospitals, and non-profit organizations that receive direct Federal 
awards or other Federal funds shall give preference in their 
procurement programs funded with Federal funds to the purchase of 
recycled products pursuant to the EPA guidelines.


Sec. 2543.17  Certifications and representations.

    Unless prohibited by statute or codified regulation, each Federal 
awarding agency is authorized and encouraged to allow recipients to 
submit certifications and representations required by statute, 
executive order, or regulation on an annual basis, if the recipients 
have ongoing and continuing relationships with the agency. Annual 
certifications and representations shall be signed by responsible 
officials with the authority to ensure recipients' compliance with the 
pertinent requirements.

Subpart C--Post-Award Requirements

Financial and Program Management


Sec. 2543.20  Purpose of financial and program management.

    Sections 2543.21 through 2543.25 prescribe standards for financial 
management systems, methods for making payments and rules for: 
satisfying cost sharing and matching requirements, accounting for 
program income, budget revision approvals, making audits, determining 
allowability of cost, and establishing fund availability.


Sec. 2543.21  Standards for financial management systems.

    (a) Federal awarding agencies shall require recipients to relate 
financial data to performance data and develop unit cost information 
whenever practical.
    (b) Recipients' financial management systems shall provide for the 
following:
    (1) Accurate, current and complete disclosure of the financial 
results of each federally-sponsored project or program in accordance 
with the reporting requirements set forth in Sec. 2543.51. If a Federal 
awarding agency requires reporting on an accrual basis from a recipient 
that maintains its records on other than an accrual basis, the 
recipient shall not be required to establish an accrual accounting 
system. These recipients may develop such accrual data for its reports 
on the basis of an analysis of the documentation on hand.
    (2) Records that identify adequately the source and application of 
funds for federally-sponsored activities. These records shall contain 
information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, obligations, 
unobligated balances, assets, outlays, income and interest.
    (3) Effective control over and accountability for all funds, 
property and other assets. Recipients shall adequately safeguard all 
such assets and assure they are used solely for authorized purposes.
    (4) Comparison of outlays with budget amounts for each award. 
Whenever appropriate, financial information should be related to 
performance and unit cost data.
    (5) Written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between the 
transfer of funds to the recipient from the U.S. Treasury and the 
issuance or redemption of checks, warrants or payments by other means 
for program purposes by the recipient. To the extent that the 
provisions of the Cash Management Improvement Act (CMIA) (Pub. L. 101-
453) govern, payment methods of State agencies, instrumentalities, and 
fiscal agents shall be consistent with CMIA Treasury-State Agreements 
or the CMIA default procedures codified at 31 CFR part 205, 
``Withdrawal of Cash from the Treasury for Advances under Federal Grant 
and Other Programs.''
    (6) Written procedures for determining the reasonableness, 
allocability and allowability of costs in accordance with the 
provisions of the applicable Federal cost principles and the terms and 
conditions of the award.
    (7) Accounting records including cost accounting records that are 
supported by source documentation.
    (c) Where the Federal Government guarantees or insures the 
repayment of money borrowed by the recipient, the Federal awarding 
agency, at its discretion, may require adequate bonding and insurance 
if the bonding and insurance requirements of the recipient are not 
deemed adequate to protect the interest of the Federal Government.
    (d) The Federal awarding agency may require adequate fidelity bond 
coverage where the recipient lacks sufficient coverage to protect the 
Federal Government's interest.
    (e) Where bonds are required in the situations described above, the 
bonds shall be obtained from companies holding certificates of 
authority as acceptable sureties, as prescribed in 31 CFR part 223, 
``Surety Companies Doing Business With the United States.''


Sec. 2543.22  Payment.

    (a) Payment methods shall minimize the time elapsing between the 
transfer of funds from the United States Treasury and the issuance or 
redemption of checks, warrants, or payment by other means by the 
recipients. Payment methods of State agencies or instrumentalities 
shall be consistent with Treasury-State CMIA agreements or default 
procedures codified at 31 CFR part 205.
    (b) Recipients are to be paid in advance, provided they maintain or 
demonstrate the willingness to maintain:
    (1) written procedures that minimize the time elapsing between the 
transfer of funds and disbursement by the recipient, and
    (2) financial management systems that meet the standards for fund 
control and accountability as established in Sec. 2543.21. Cash 
advances to a recipient organization shall be limited to the minimum 
amounts needed and be timed to be in accordance with the actual, 
immediate cash requirements of the recipient organization in carrying 
out the purpose of the approved program or project. The timing and 
amount of cash advances shall be as close as is administratively 
feasible to the actual disbursements by the recipient organization for 
direct program or project costs and the proportionate share of any 
allowable indirect costs.
    (c) Whenever possible, advances shall be consolidated to cover 
anticipated cash needs for all awards made by the Federal awarding 
agency to the recipient.
    (1) Advance payment mechanisms include, but are not limited to, 
Treasury check and electronic funds transfer.
    (2) Advance payment mechanisms are subject to 31 CFR part 205.
    (3) Recipients shall be authorized to submit requests for advances 
and reimbursements at least monthly when electronic fund transfers are 
not used. [[Page 13060]] 
    (d) Requests for Treasury check advance payment shall be submitted 
on SF-270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' or other forms as 
may be authorized by OMB. This form is not to be used when Treasury 
check advance payments are made to the recipient automatically through 
the use of a predetermined payment schedule or if precluded by special 
Federal awarding agency instructions for electronic funds transfer.
    (e) Reimbursement is the preferred method when the requirements in 
paragraph (b) cannot be met. Federal awarding agencies may also use 
this method on any construction agreement, or if the major portion of 
the construction project is accomplished through private market 
financing or Federal loans, and the Federal assistance constitutes a 
minor portion of the project.
    (1) When the reimbursement method is used, the Federal awarding 
agency shall make payment within 30 days after receipt of the billing, 
unless the billing is improper.
    (2) Recipients shall be authorized to submit request for 
reimbursement at least monthly when electronic funds transfers are not 
used.
    (f) If a recipient cannot meet the criteria for advance payments 
and the Federal awarding agency has determined that reimbursement is 
not feasible because the recipient lacks sufficient working capital, 
the Federal awarding agency may provide cash on a working capital 
advance basis. Under this procedure, the Federal awarding agency shall 
advance cash to the recipient to cover its estimated disbursement needs 
for an initial period generally geared to the awardee's disbursing 
cycle. Thereafter, the Federal awarding agency shall reimburse the 
recipient for its actual cash disbursements. The working capital 
advance method of payment shall not be used for recipients unwilling or 
unable to provide timely advances to their subrecipient to meet the 
subrecipient's actual cash disbursements.
    (g) To the extent available, recipients shall disburse funds 
available from repayments to and interest earned on a revolving fund, 
program income, rebates, refunds, contract settlements, audit 
recoveries and interest earned on such funds before requesting 
additional cash payments.
    (h) Unless otherwise required by statute, Federal awarding agencies 
shall not withhold payments for proper charges made by recipients at 
any time during the project period unless:
    (1) A recipient has failed to comply with the project objectives, 
the terms and conditions of the award, or Federal reporting 
requirements, or
    (2) The recipient or subrecipient is delinquent in a debt to the 
United States as defined in OMB Circular A-129, ``Managing Federal 
Credit Programs.'' Under such conditions, the Federal awarding agency 
may, upon reasonable notice, inform the recipient that payments shall 
not be made for obligations incurred after a specified date until the 
conditions are corrected or the indebtedness to the Federal Government 
is liquidated.
    (i) Standards governing the use of banks and other institutions as 
depositories of funds advanced under awards are as follows:
    (1) Except for situations described in paragraph (i)(2), Federal 
awarding agencies shall not require separate depository accounts for 
funds provided to a recipient or establish any eligibility requirements 
for depositories for funds provided to a recipient. However, recipients 
must be able to account for the receipt, obligation and expenditure of 
funds.
    (2) Advances of Federal funds shall be deposited and maintained in 
insured accounts whenever possible.
    (j) Consistent with the national goal of expanding the 
opportunities for women-owned and minority-owned business enterprises, 
recipients shall be encouraged to use women-owned and minority-owned 
banks (a bank which is owned at least 50 percent by women or minority 
group members).
    (k) Recipients shall maintain advances of Federal funds in interest 
bearing accounts, unless:
    (1) The recipient receives less than $120,000 in Federal awards per 
year.
    (2) The best reasonably available interest bearing account would 
not be expected to earn interest in excess of $250 per year on Federal 
cash balances.
    (3) The depository would require an average or minimum balance so 
high that it would not be feasible within the expected Federal and non-
Federal cash resources.
    (l) For those entities where CMIA and its implementing regulations 
do not apply, interest earned on Federal advances deposited in interest 
bearing accounts shall be remitted annually to Department of Health and 
Human Services, Payment Management System, Rockville, MD 20852. 
Interest amounts up to $250 per year may be retained by the recipient 
for administrative expense. State universities and hospitals shall 
comply with CMIA, as it pertains to interest. If an entity subject to 
CMIA uses its own funds to pay pre-award costs for discretionary awards 
without prior written approval from the Federal awarding agency, it 
waives its right to recover the interest under CMIA.
    (m) Except as noted elsewhere in this Circular, only the following 
forms shall be authorized for the recipients in requesting advances and 
reimbursements. Federal agencies shall not require more than an 
original and two copies of these forms.
    (1) SF-270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement. Each Federal 
awarding agency shall adopt the SF-270 as a standard form for all 
nonconstruction programs when electronic funds transfer or 
predetermined advance methods are not used. Federal awarding agencies, 
however, have the option of using this form for construction programs 
in lieu of the SF-271, ``Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement 
for Construction Programs.''
    (2) SF-271, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for 
Construction Programs. Each Federal awarding agency shall adopt the SF-
271 as the standard form to be used for requesting reimbursement for 
construction programs. However, a Federal awarding agency may 
substitute the SF-270 when the Federal awarding agency determines that 
it provides adequate information to meet Federal needs.


Sec. 2543.23  Cost sharing or matching.

    (a) All contributions, including cash and third party in-kind, 
shall be accepted as part of the recipient's cost sharing or matching 
when such contributions meet all of the following criteria.
    (1) Are verifiable from the recipient's records.
    (2) Are not included as contributions for any other federally-
assisted project or program.
    (3) Are necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient 
accomplishment of project or program objectives.
    (4) Are allowable under the applicable cost principles.
    (5) Are not paid by the Federal Government under another award, 
except where authorized by Federal statute to be used for cost sharing 
or matching.
    (6) Are provided for in the approved budget when required by the 
Federal awarding agency.
    (7) Conform to other provisions of this Circular, as applicable.
    (b) Unrecovered indirect costs may be included as part of cost 
sharing or matching only with the prior approval of the Federal 
awarding agency.
    (c) Values for recipient contributions of services and property 
shall be established in accordance with the applicable cost principles. 
If a Federal [[Page 13061]] awarding agency authorizes recipients to 
donate buildings or land for construction/facilities acquisition 
projects or long-term use, the value of the donated property for cost 
sharing or matching shall be the lesser of:
    (1) The certified value of the remaining life of the property 
recorded in the recipient's accounting records at the time of donation, 
or.
    (2) The current fair market value. However, when there is 
sufficient justification, the Federal awarding agency may approve the 
use of the current fair market value of the donated property, even if 
it exceeds the certified value at the time of donation to the project.
    (d) Volunteer services furnished by professional and technical 
personnel, consultants, and other skilled and unskilled labor may be 
counted as cost sharing or matching if the service is an integral and 
necessary part of an approved project or program. Rates for volunteer 
services shall be consistent with those paid for similar work in the 
recipient's organization. In those instances in which the required 
skills are not found in the recipient organization, rates shall be 
consistent with those paid for similar work in the labor market in 
which the recipient competes for the kind of services involved. In 
either case, paid fringe benefits that are reasonable, allowable, and 
allocable may be included in the valuation.
    (e) When an employer other than the recipient furnishes the 
services of an employee, these services shall be valued at the 
employee's regular rate of pay (plus an amount of fringe benefits that 
are reasonable, allowable, and allocable, but exclusive of overhead 
costs), provided these services are in the same skill for which the 
employee is normally paid.
    (f) Donated supplies may include such items as expendable 
equipment, office supplies, laboratory supplies or workshop and 
classroom supplies. Value assessed to donated supplies included in the 
cost sharing or matching share shall be reasonable and shall not exceed 
the fair market value of the property at the time of the donation.
    (g) The method used for determining cost sharing or matching for 
donated equipment, buildings and land for which title passes to the 
recipient may differ according to the purpose of the award:
    (1) If the purpose of the award is to assist the recipient in the 
acquisition of equipment, buildings or land, the total value of the 
donated property may be claimed as cost sharing or matching, or.
    (2) If the purpose of the award is to support activities that 
require the use of equipment, buildings or land, normally only 
depreciation or use charges for equipment and buildings may be made. 
However, the full value of equipment or other capital assets and fair 
rental charges for land may be allowed, provided that the Federal 
awarding agency has approved the charges.
    (h) The value of donated property shall be determined in accordance 
with the usual accounting policies of the recipient, with the following 
qualifications.
    (1) The value of donated land and buildings shall not exceed its 
fair market value at the time of donation to the recipient as 
established by an independent appraiser (e.g., certified real property 
appraiser or General Services Administration representative) and 
certified by a responsible official of the recipient.
    (2) The value of donated equipment shall not exceed the fair market 
value of equipment of the same age and condition at the time of 
donation.
    (3) The value of donated space shall not exceed the fair rental 
value of comparable space as established by an independent appraisal of 
comparable space and facilities in a privately-owned building in the 
same locality.
    (4) The value of loaned equipment shall not exceed its fair rental 
value.
    (5) The following requirements pertain to the recipient's 
supporting records for in-kind contributions from third parties.
    (i) Volunteer services shall be documented and, to the extent 
feasible, supported by the same methods used by the recipient for its 
own employees.
    (ii) The basis for determining the valuation for personal service, 
material, equipment, buildings and land shall be documented.


Sec. 2543.24  Program income.

    (a) Federal awarding agencies shall apply the standards set forth 
in this section in requiring recipient organizations to account for 
program income related to projects financed in whole or in part with 
Federal funds.
    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (h) below, program income 
earned during the project period shall be retained by the recipient 
and, in accordance with Federal awarding agency regulations or the 
terms and conditions of the award, shall be used in one or more of the 
ways listed in the following:
    (1) Added to funds committed to the project by the Federal awarding 
agency and recipient and used to further eligible project or program 
objectives.
    (2) Used to finance the non-Federal share of the project or 
program.
    (3) Deducted from the total project or program allowable cost in 
determining the net allowable costs on which the Federal share of costs 
is based.
    (c) When an agency authorizes the disposition of program income as 
described in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2), program income in excess of 
any limits stipulated shall be used in accordance with paragraph 
(b)(3).
    (d) In the event that the Federal awarding agency does not specify 
in its regulations or the terms and conditions of the award how program 
income is to be used, paragraph (b)(3) shall apply automatically to all 
projects or programs except research. For awards that support research, 
paragraph (b)(1) shall apply automatically unless the awarding agency 
indicates in the terms and conditions another alternative on the award 
or the recipient is subject to special award conditions, as indicated 
in Sec. 2543.14.
    (e) Unless Federal awarding agency regulations or the terms and 
conditions of the award provide otherwise, recipients shall have no 
obligation to the Federal Government regarding program income earned 
after the end of the project period.
    (f) If authorized by Federal awarding agency regulations or the 
terms and conditions of the award, costs incident to the generation of 
program income may be deducted from gross income to determine program 
income, provided these costs have not been charged to the award.
    (g) Proceeds from the sale of property shall be handled in 
accordance with the requirements of the Property Standards. (See 
Sec. 2543.28 through Sec. 2543.36.)
    (h) Unless Federal awarding agency regulations or the terms and 
condition of the award provide otherwise, recipients shall have no 
obligation to the Federal Government with respect to program income 
earned from license fees and royalties for copyrighted material, 
patents, patent applications, trademarks, and inventions produced under 
an award. However, Patent and Trademark Amendments (35 U.S.C. 18) apply 
to inventions made under an experimental, developmental, or research 
award.


Sec. 2543.25  Revision of budget and program plans.

    (a) The budget plan is the financial expression of the project or 
program as approved during the award process. It may include either the 
Federal and non-Federal share, or only the Federal share, depending 
upon Federal awarding agency requirements. It shall be related 
[[Page 13062]] to performance for program evaluation purposes whenever 
appropriate.
    (b) Recipients are required to report deviations from budget and 
program plans, and request prior approvals for budget and program plan 
revisions, in accordance with this section.
    (c) For nonconstruction awards, recipients shall request prior 
approvals from Federal awarding agencies for one or more of the 
following program or budget related reasons:
    (1) Change in the scope or the objective of the project or program 
(even if there is no associated budget revision requiring prior written 
approval).
    (2) Change in a key person specified in the application or award 
document.
    (3) The absence for more than three months, or a 25 percent 
reduction in time devoted to the project, by the approved project 
director or principal investigator.
    (4) The need for additional Federal funding.
    (5) The transfer of amounts budgeted for indirect costs to absorb 
increases in direct costs, or vice versa, if approval is required by 
the Federal awarding agency.
    (6) The inclusion, unless waived by the Federal awarding agency, of 
costs that require prior approval in accordance with OMB Circular A-21, 
``Cost Principles for Institutions of Higher Education,'' OMB Circular 
A-122, ``Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations,'' or 45 CFR part 
74 Appendix E, ``Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to 
Research and Development Under Grants and Contracts With Hospitals,'' 
or 48 CFR part 31, ``Contract Cost Principles and Procedures,'' as 
applicable.
    (7) The transfer of funds allotted for training allowances (direct 
payment to trainees) to other categories of expense.
    (8) Unless described in the application and funded in the approved 
awards, the subaward, transfer or contracting out of any work under an 
award. This provision does not apply to the purchase of supplies, 
material, equipment or general support services.
    (d) No other prior approval requirements for specific items may be 
imposed unless a deviation has been approved by OMB.
    (e) Except for requirements listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(4) 
of this section, Federal awarding agencies are authorized, at their 
option, to waive cost-related and administrative prior written 
approvals required by this Circular and OMB Circulars A-21 and A-122. 
Such waivers may include authorizing recipients to do any one or more 
of the following:
    (1) Incur pre-award costs 90 calendar days prior to award or more 
than 90 calendar days with the prior approval of the Federal awarding 
agency. All pre-award costs are incurred at the recipient's risk (i.e., 
the Federal awarding agency is under no obligation to reimburse such 
costs if for any reason the recipient does not receive an award or if 
the award is less than anticipated and inadequate to cover such costs).
    (2) Initiate a one-time extension of the expiration date of the 
award of up to 12 months unless one or more of the following conditions 
apply. For one-time extensions, the recipient must notify the Federal 
awarding agency in writing with the supporting reasons and revised 
expiration date at least 10 days before the expiration date specified 
in the award. This one-time extension may not be exercised merely for 
the purpose of using unobligated balances.
    (i) The terms and conditions of award prohibit the extension.
    (ii) The extension requires additional Federal funds.
    (iii) The extension involves any change in the approved objectives 
or scope of the project.
    (3) Carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent funding 
periods.
    (4) For awards that support research, unless the Federal awarding 
agency provides otherwise in the award or in the agency's regulations, 
the prior approval requirements described in paragraph (e) are 
automatically waived (i.e., recipients need not obtain such prior 
approvals) unless one of the conditions included in paragraph (e)(2) 
applies.
    (f) The Federal awarding agency may, at its option, restrict the 
transfer of funds among direct cost categories or programs, functions 
and activities for awards in which the Federal share of the project 
exceeds $100,000 and the cumulative amount of such transfers exceeds or 
is expected to exceed 10 percent of the total budget as last approved 
by the Federal awarding agency. No Federal awarding agency shall permit 
a transfer that would cause any Federal appropriation or part thereof 
to be used for purposes other than those consistent with the original 
intent of the appropriation.
    (g) All other changes to nonconstruction budgets, except for the 
changes described in paragraph (j), do not require prior approval.
    (h) For construction awards, recipients shall request prior written 
approval promptly from Federal awarding agencies for budget revisions 
whenever (1), (2) or (3) apply.
    (1) The revision results from changes in the scope or the objective 
of the project or program.
    (2) The need arises for additional Federal funds to complete the 
project.
    (3) A revision is desired which involves specific costs for which 
prior written approval requirements may be imposed consistent with 
applicable OMB cost principles listed in Section Sec. 2543.27.
    (i) No other prior approval requirements for specific items may be 
imposed unless a deviation has been approved by OMB.
    (j) When a Federal awarding agency makes an award that provides 
support for both construction and nonconstruction work, the Federal 
awarding agency may require the recipient to request prior approval 
from the Federal awarding agency before making any fund or budget 
transfers between the two types of work supported.
    (k) For both construction and nonconstruction awards, Federal 
awarding agencies shall require recipients to notify the Federal 
awarding agency in writing promptly whenever the amount of Federal 
authorized funds is expected to exceed the needs of the recipient for 
the project period by more than $5,000 or five percent of the Federal 
award, whichever is greater. This notification shall not be required if 
an application for additional funding is submitted for a continuation 
award.
    (l) When requesting approval for budget revisions, recipients shall 
use the budget forms that were used in the application unless the 
Federal awarding agency indicates a letter of request suffices.
    (m) Within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the request 
for budget revisions, Federal awarding agencies shall review the 
request and notify the recipient whether the budget revisions have been 
approved. If the revision is still under consideration at the end of 30 
calendar days, the Federal awarding agency shall inform the recipient 
in writing of the date when the recipient may expect the decision.


Sec. 2543.26  Non-Federal audits.

    (a) Recipients and subrecipients that are institutions of higher 
education or other non-profit organizations shall be subject to the 
audit requirements contained in OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of 
Institutions of Higher Education and Other Non-Profit Institutions.''
    (b) State and local governments shall be subject to the audit 
requirements contained in the Single Audit Act (31 
[[Page 13063]] U.S.C. 7501-7) and Federal awarding agency regulations 
implementing OMB Circular A-128, ``Audits of State and Local 
Governments.''
    (c) Hospitals not covered by the audit provisions of OMB Circular 
A-133 shall be subject to the audit requirements of the Federal 
awarding agencies.
    (d) Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit 
requirements of the Federal awarding agency or the prime recipient as 
incorporated into the award document.


Sec. 2543.27  Allowable costs.

    For each kind of recipient, there is a set of Federal principles 
for determining allowable costs. Allowability of costs shall be 
determined in accordance with the cost principles applicable to the 
entity incurring the costs. Thus, allowability of costs incurred by 
State, local or federally-recognized Indian tribal governments is 
determined in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-87, 
``Cost Principles for State and Local Governments.'' The allowability 
of costs incurred by non-profit organizations is determined in 
accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles 
for Non-Profit Organizations.'' The allowability of costs incurred by 
institutions of higher education is determined in accordance with the 
provisions of OMB Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles for Educational 
Institutions.'' The allowability of costs incurred by hospitals is 
determined in accordance with the provisions of Appendix E of 45 CFR 
part 74, ``Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to Research and 
Development Under Grants and Contracts with Hospitals.'' The 
allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations and those 
non-profit organizations listed in Attachment C to Circular A-122 is 
determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR part 31.


Sec. 2543.28  Period of availability of funds.

    Where a funding period is specified, a recipient may charge to the 
grant only allowable costs resulting from obligations incurred during 
the funding period and any pre-award costs authorized by the Federal 
awarding agency.

Property Standards


Sec. 2543.30  Purpose of property standards.

    Sections 2543.31 through 2543.37 set forth uniform standards 
governing management and disposition of property furnished by the 
Federal Government whose cost was charged to a project supported by a 
Federal award. Federal awarding agencies shall require recipients to 
observe these standards under awards and shall not impose additional 
requirements, unless specifically required by Federal statute. The 
recipient may use its own property management standards and procedures 
provided it observes the provisions of Sec. 2543.31 through 
Sec. 2543.37.


Sec. 2543.31  Insurance coverage.

    Recipients shall, at a minimum, provide the equivalent insurance 
coverage for real property and equipment acquired with Federal funds as 
provided to property owned by the recipient. Federally-owned property 
need not be insured unless required by the terms and conditions of the 
award.


Sec. 2543.32  Real property.

    Each Federal awarding agency shall prescribe requirements for 
recipients concerning the use and disposition of real property acquired 
in whole or in part under awards. Unless otherwise provided by statute, 
such requirements, at a minimum, shall contain the following:
    (a) Title to real property shall vest in the recipient subject to 
the condition that the recipient shall use the real property for the 
authorized purpose of the project as long as it is needed and shall not 
encumber the property without approval of the Federal awarding agency.
    (b) The recipient shall obtain written approval by the Federal 
awarding agency for the use of real property in other federally-
sponsored projects when the recipient determines that the property is 
no longer needed for the purpose of the original project. Use in other 
projects shall be limited to those under federally-sponsored projects 
(i.e., awards) or programs that have purposes consistent with those 
authorized for support by the Federal awarding agency.
    (c) When the real property is no longer needed as provided in 
paragraphs (a) and (b), the recipient shall request disposition 
instructions from the Federal awarding agency or its successor Federal 
awarding agency. The Federal awarding agency shall observe one or more 
of the following disposition instructions.
    (1) The recipient may be permitted to retain title without further 
obligation to the Federal Government after it compensates the Federal 
Government for that percentage of the current fair market value of the 
property attributable to the Federal participation in the project.
    (2) The recipient may be directed to sell the property under 
guidelines provided by the Federal awarding agency and pay the Federal 
Government for that percentage of the current fair market value of the 
property attributable to the Federal participation in the project 
(after deducting actual and reasonable selling and fix-up expenses, if 
any, from the sales proceeds). When the recipient is authorized or 
required to sell the property, proper sales procedures shall be 
established that provide for competition to the extent practicable and 
result in the highest possible return.
    (3) The recipient may be directed to transfer title to the property 
to the Federal Government or to an eligible third party provided that, 
in such cases, the recipient shall be entitled to compensation for its 
attributable percentage of the current fair market value of the 
property.


Sec. 2543.33  Federally-owned and exempt property.

    (a) Federally-owned property.
    (1) Title to federally-owned property remains vested in the Federal 
Government. Recipients shall submit annually an inventory listing of 
federally-owned property in their custody to the Federal awarding 
agency. Upon completion of the award or when the property is no longer 
needed, the recipient shall report the property to the Federal awarding 
agency for further Federal agency utilization.
    (2) If the Federal awarding agency has no further need for the 
property, it shall be declared excess and reported to the General 
Services Administration, unless the Federal awarding agency has 
statutory authority to dispose of the property by alternative methods 
(e.g., the authority provided by the Federal Technology Transfer Act 
(15 U.S.C. 3710(I)) to donate research equipment to educational and 
non-profit organizations in accordance with E.O. 12821, ``Improving 
Mathematics and Science Education in Support of the National Education 
Goals''). Appropriate instructions shall be issued to the recipient by 
the Federal awarding agency.
    (b) Exempt property. When statutory authority exists, the Federal 
awarding agency has the option to vest title to property acquired with 
Federal funds in the recipient without further obligation to the 
Federal Government and under conditions the Federal awarding agency 
considers appropriate. Such property is ``exempt property.'' Should a 
Federal awarding agency not establish conditions, title to exempt 
property upon acquisition shall vest in the recipient without further 
obligation to the Federal Government. [[Page 13064]] 


Sec. 2543.34  Equipment.

    (a) Title to equipment acquired by a recipient with Federal funds 
shall vest in the recipient, subject to conditions of this section.
    (b) The recipient shall not use equipment acquired with Federal 
funds to provide services to non-Federal outside organizations for a 
fee that is less than private companies charge for equivalent services, 
unless specifically authorized by Federal statute, for as long as the 
Federal Government retains an interest in the equipment.
    (c) The recipient shall use the equipment in the project or program 
for which it was acquired as long as needed, whether or not the project 
or program continues to be supported by Federal funds and shall not 
encumber the property without approval of the Federal awarding agency. 
When no longer needed for the original project or program, the 
recipient shall use the equipment in connection with its other 
federally-sponsored activities, in the following order of priority:
    (1) Activities sponsored by the Federal awarding agency which 
funded the original project; then
    (2) activities sponsored by other Federal awarding agencies.
    (d) During the time that equipment is used on the project or 
program for which it was acquired, the recipient shall make it 
available for use on other projects or programs if such other use will 
not interfere with the work on the project or program for which the 
equipment was originally acquired. First preference for such other use 
shall be given to other projects or programs sponsored by the Federal 
awarding agency that financed the equipment; second preference shall be 
given to projects or programs sponsored by other Federal awarding 
agencies. If the equipment is owned by the Federal Government, use on 
other activities not sponsored by the Federal Government shall be 
permissible if authorized by the Federal awarding agency. User charges 
shall be treated as program income.
    (e) When acquiring replacement equipment, the recipient may use the 
equipment to be replaced as trade-in or sell the equipment and use the 
proceeds to offset the costs of the replacement equipment subject to 
the approval of the Federal awarding agency.
    (f) The recipient's property management standards for equipment 
acquired with Federal funds and federally-owned equipment shall include 
all of the following:
    (1) Equipment records shall be maintained accurately and shall 
include the following information.
    (i) A description of the equipment.
    (ii) Manufacturer's serial number, model number, Federal stock 
number, national stock number, or other identification number.
    (iii) Source of the equipment, including the award number.
    (iv) Whether title vests in the recipient or the Federal 
Government.
    (v) Acquisition date (or date received, if the equipment was 
furnished by the Federal Government) and cost.
    (vi) Information from which one can calculate the percentage of 
Federal participation in the cost of the equipment (not applicable to 
equipment furnished by the Federal Government).
    (vii) Location and condition of the equipment and the date the 
information was reported.
    (viii) Unit acquisition cost.
    (ix) Ultimate disposition data, including date of disposal and 
sales price or the method used to determine current fair market value 
where a recipient compensates the Federal awarding agency for its 
share.
    (2) Equipment owned by the Federal Government shall be identified 
to indicate Federal ownership.
    (3) A physical inventory of equipment shall be taken and the 
results reconciled with the equipment records at least once every two 
years. Any differences between quantities determined by the physical 
inspection and those shown in the accounting records shall be 
investigated to determine the causes of the difference. The recipient 
shall, in connection with the inventory, verify the existence, current 
utilization, and continued need for the equipment.
    (4) A control system shall be in effect to insure adequate 
safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the equipment. Any 
loss, damage, or theft of equipment shall be investigated and fully 
documented; if the equipment was owned by the Federal Government, the 
recipient shall promptly notify the Federal awarding agency.
    (5) Adequate maintenance procedures shall be implemented to keep 
the equipment in good condition.
    (6) Where the recipient is authorized or required to sell the 
equipment, proper sales procedures shall be established which provide 
for competition to the extent practicable and result in the highest 
possible return.
    (g) When the recipient no longer needs the equipment, the equipment 
may be used for other activities in accordance with the following 
standards. For equipment with a current per unit fair market value of 
$5,000 or more, the recipient may retain the equipment for other uses 
provided that compensation is made to the original Federal awarding 
agency or its successor. The amount of compensation shall be computed 
by applying the percentage of Federal participation in the cost of the 
original project or program to the current fair market value of the 
equipment. If the recipient has no need for the equipment, the 
recipient shall request disposition instructions from the Federal 
awarding agency. The Federal awarding agency shall determine whether 
the equipment can be used to meet the agency's requirements. If no 
requirement exists within that agency, the availability of the 
equipment shall be reported to the General Services Administration by 
the Federal awarding agency to determine whether a requirement for the 
equipment exists in other Federal agencies. The Federal awarding agency 
shall issue instructions to the recipient no later than 120 calendar 
days after the recipient's request and the following procedures shall 
govern.
    (1) If so instructed or if disposition instructions are not issued 
within 120 calendar days after the recipient's request, the recipient 
shall sell the equipment and reimburse the Federal awarding agency an 
amount computed by applying to the sales proceeds the percentage of 
Federal participation in the cost of the original project or program. 
However, the recipient shall be permitted to deduct and retain from the 
Federal share $500 or ten percent of the proceeds, whichever is less, 
for the recipient's selling and handling expenses.
    (2) If the recipient is instructed to ship the equipment elsewhere, 
the recipient shall be reimbursed by the Federal Government by an 
amount which is computed by applying the percentage of the recipient's 
participation in the cost of the original project or program to the 
current fair market value of the equipment, plus any reasonable 
shipping or interim storage costs incurred.
    (3) If the recipient is instructed to otherwise dispose of the 
equipment, the recipient shall be reimbursed by the Federal awarding 
agency for such costs incurred in its disposition.
    (4) The Federal awarding agency may reserve the right to transfer 
the title to the Federal Government or to a third party named by the 
Federal Government when such third party is otherwise eligible under 
existing statutes. Such transfer shall be subject to the following 
standards.
    (i) The equipment shall be appropriately identified in the award or 
otherwise made known to the recipient in writing.
    (ii) The Federal awarding agency shall issue disposition 
instructions within [[Page 13065]] 120 calendar days after receipt of a 
final inventory. The final inventory shall list all equipment acquired 
with grant funds and federally-owned equipment. If the Federal awarding 
agency fails to issue disposition instructions within the 120 calendar 
day period, the recipient shall apply the standards of this section, as 
appropriate.
    (iii) When the Federal awarding agency exercises its right to take 
title, the equipment shall be subject to the provisions for federally-
owned equipment.


Sec. 2543.35  Supplies and other expendable property.

    (a) Title to supplies and other expendable property shall vest in 
the recipient upon acquisition. If there is a residual inventory of 
unused supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate value upon 
termination or completion of the project or program and the supplies 
are not needed for any other federally-sponsored project or program, 
the recipient shall retain the supplies for use on non-Federal 
sponsored activities or sell them, but shall, in either case, 
compensate the Federal Government for its share. The amount of 
compensation shall be computed in the same manner as for equipment.
    (b) The recipient shall not use supplies acquired with Federal 
funds to provide services to non-Federal outside organizations for a 
fee that is less than private companies charge for equivalent services, 
unless specifically authorized by Federal statute as long as the 
Federal Government retains an interest in the supplies.


Sec. 2543.36  Intangible property.

    (a) The recipient may copyright any work that is subject to 
copyright and was developed, or for which ownership was purchased, 
under an award. The Federal awarding agency(ies) reserve a royalty-
free, nonexclusive and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or 
otherwise use the work for Federal purposes, and to authorize others to 
do so.
    (b) Recipients are subject to applicable regulations governing 
patents and inventions, including government-wide regulations issued by 
the Department of Commerce at 37 CFR part 401, ``Rights to Inventions 
Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under 
Government Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements.''
    (c) Unless waived by the Federal awarding agency, the Federal 
Government has the right to:
    (1) Obtain, reproduce, publish or otherwise use the data first 
produced under an award, and
    (2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise 
use such data for Federal purposes.
    (d) Title to intangible property and debt instruments acquired 
under an award or subaward vests upon acquisition in the recipient. The 
recipient shall use that property for the originally-authorized 
purpose, and the recipient shall not encumber the property without 
approval of the Federal awarding agency. When no longer needed for the 
originally authorized purpose, disposition of the intangible property 
shall occur in accordance with the provisions of paragraph Sec. 2543.34 
(g).


Sec. 2543.37 Property trust relationship.

    Real property, equipment, intangible property and debt instruments 
that are acquired or improved with Federal funds shall be held in trust 
by the recipient as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or 
program under which the property was acquired or improved. Agencies may 
require recipients to record liens or other appropriate notices of 
record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or 
improved with Federal funds and that use and disposition conditions 
apply to the property.

Procurement Standards


Sec. 2543.40  Purpose of procurement standards.

    Sections Sec. 2543.41 through Sec. 2543.48 set forth standards for 
use by recipients in establishing procedures for the procurement of 
supplies and other expendable property, equipment, real property and 
other services with Federal funds. These standards are furnished to 
ensure that such materials and services are obtained in an effective 
manner and in compliance with the provisions of applicable Federal 
statutes and executive orders. No additional procurement standards or 
requirements shall be imposed by the Federal awarding agencies upon 
recipients, unless specifically required by Federal statute or 
executive order or approved by OMB.


Sec. 2543.41  Recipient responsibilities.

    The standards contained in this section do not relieve the 
recipient of the contractual responsibilities arising under its 
contract(s). The recipient is the responsible authority, without 
recourse to the Federal awarding agency, regarding the settlement and 
satisfaction of all contractual and administrative issues arising out 
of procurements entered into in support of an award or other agreement. 
This includes disputes, claims, protests of award, source evaluation or 
other matters of a contractual nature. Matters concerning violation of 
statute are to be referred to such Federal, State or local authority as 
may have proper jurisdiction.


Sec. 2543.42  Codes of conduct.

    The recipient shall maintain written standards of conduct governing 
the performance of its employees engaged in the award and 
administration of contracts. No employee, officer, or agent shall 
participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract 
supported by Federal funds if a real or apparent conflict of interest 
would be involved. Such a conflict would arise when the employee, 
officer, or agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or 
her partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any 
of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in 
the firm selected for an award. The officers, employees, and agents of 
the recipient shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or 
anything of monetary value from contractors, or parties to 
subagreements. However, recipients may set standards for situations in 
which the financial interest is not substantial or the gift is an 
unsolicited item of nominal value. The standards of conduct shall 
provide for disciplinary actions to be applied for violations of such 
standards by officers, employees, or agents of the recipient.


Sec. 2543.43  Competition.

    All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a manner to 
provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free competition. 
The recipient shall be alert to organizational conflicts of interest as 
well as noncompetitive practices among contractors that may restrict or 
eliminate competition or otherwise restrain trade. In order to ensure 
objective contractor performance and eliminate unfair competitive 
advantage, contractors that develop or draft specifications, 
requirements, statements of work, invitations for bids and/or requests 
for proposals shall be excluded from competing for such procurements. 
Awards shall be made to the bidder or offeror whose bid or offer is 
responsive to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the 
recipient, price, quality and other factors considered. Solicitations 
shall clearly set forth all requirements that the bidder or offeror 
shall fulfill in order for the bid or offer to be evaluated by the 
recipient. Any and all bids or offers may be [[Page 13066]] rejected 
when it is in the recipient's interest to do so.


Sec. 2543.44  Procurement procedures.

    (a) All recipients shall establish written procurement procedures. 
These procedures shall provide for, at a minimum, that:
    (1) Recipients avoid purchasing unnecessary items,
    (2) Where appropriate, an analysis is made of lease and purchase 
alternatives to determine which would be the most economical and 
practical procurement for the Federal Government, and
    (3) Solicitations for goods and services provide for all of the 
following:
    (i) A clear and accurate description of the technical requirements 
for the material, product or service to be procured. In competitive 
procurements, such a description shall not contain features which 
unduly restrict competition.
    (ii) Requirements which the bidder/offeror must fulfill and all 
other factors to be used in evaluating bids or proposals.
    (iii) A description, whenever practicable, of technical 
requirements in terms of functions to be performed or performance 
required, including the range of acceptable characteristics or minimum 
acceptable standards.
    (iv) The specific features of ``brand name or equal'' descriptions 
that bidders are required to meet when such items are included in the 
solicitation.
    (v) The acceptance, to the extent practicable and economically 
feasible, of products and services dimensioned in the metric system of 
measurement.
    (vi) Preference, to the extent practicable and economically 
feasible, for products and services that conserve natural resources and 
protect the environment and are energy efficient.
    (b) Positive efforts shall be made by recipients to utilize small 
businesses, minority-owned firms, and women's business enterprises, 
whenever possible. Recipients of Federal awards shall take all of the 
following steps to further this goal.
    (1) Ensure that small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women's 
business enterprises are used to the fullest extent practicable.
    (2) Make information on forthcoming opportunities available and 
arrange time frames for purchases and contracts to encourage and 
facilitate participation by small businesses, minority-owned firms, and 
women's business enterprises.
    (3) Consider in the contract process whether firms competing for 
larger contracts intend to subcontract with small businesses, minority-
owned firms, and women's business enterprises.
    (4) Encourage contracting with consortiums of small businesses, 
minority-owned firms and women's business enterprises when a contract 
is too large for one of these firms to handle individually.
    (5) Use the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such 
organizations as the Small Business Administration and the Department 
of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency in the solicitation 
and utilization of small businesses, minority-owned firms and women's 
business enterprises.
    (c) The type of procuring instruments used (e.g., fixed price 
contracts, cost reimbursable contracts, purchase orders, and incentive 
contracts) shall be determined by the recipient but shall be 
appropriate for the particular procurement and for promoting the best 
interest of the program or project involved. The ``cost-plus-a-
percentage-of-cost'' or ``percentage of construction cost'' methods of 
contracting shall not be used.
    (d) Contracts shall be made only with responsible contractors who 
possess the potential ability to perform successfully under the terms 
and conditions of the proposed procurement. Consideration shall be 
given to such matters as contractor integrity, record of past 
performance, financial and technical resources or accessibility to 
other necessary resources. In certain circumstances, contracts with 
certain parties are restricted by agencies' implementation of E.O.s 
12549 and 12689, ``Debarment and Suspension.''
    (e) Recipients shall, on request, make available for the Federal 
awarding agency, pre-award review and procurement documents, such as 
request for proposals or invitations for bids, independent cost 
estimates, etc., when any of the following conditions apply.
    (1) A recipient's procurement procedures or operation fails to 
comply with the procurement standards in the Federal awarding agency's 
implementation of this Circular.
    (2) The procurement is expected to exceed the small purchase 
threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 403 (11) (currently $25,000) and is to be 
awarded without competition or only one bid or offer is received in 
response to a solicitation.
    (3) The procurement, which is expected to exceed the small purchase 
threshold, specifies a ``brand name'' product.
    (4) The proposed award over the small purchase threshold is to be 
awarded to other than the apparent low bidder under a sealed bid 
procurement.
    (5) A proposed contract modification changes the scope of a 
contract or increases the contract amount by more than the amount of 
the small purchase threshold.


Sec. 2543.45  Cost and price analysis.

    Some form of cost or price analysis shall be made and documented in 
the procurement files in connection with every procurement action. 
Price analysis may be accomplished in various ways, including the 
comparison of price quotations submitted, market prices and similar 
indicia, together with discounts. Cost analysis is the review and 
evaluation of each element of cost to determine reasonableness, 
allocability and allowability.


Sec. 2543.46  Procurement records.

    Procurement records and files for purchases in excess of the small 
purchase threshold shall include the following at a minimum:
    (a) basis for contractor selection;
    (b) justification for lack of competition when competitive bids or 
offers are not obtained; and
    (c) basis for award cost or price.


Sec. 2543.47  Contract administration.

    A system for contract administration shall be maintained to ensure 
contractor conformance with the terms, conditions and specifications of 
the contract and to ensure adequate and timely follow up of all 
purchases. Recipients shall evaluate contractor performance and 
document, as appropriate, whether contractors have met the terms, 
conditions and specifications of the contract.


Sec. 2543.48  Contract provisions.

    The recipient shall include, in addition to provisions to define a 
sound and complete agreement, the following provisions in all 
contracts. The following provisions shall also be applied to 
subcontracts.
    (a) Contracts in excess of the small purchase threshold shall 
contain contractual provisions or conditions that allow for 
administrative, contractual, or legal remedies in instances in which a 
contractor violates or breaches the contract terms, and provide for 
such remedial actions as may be appropriate.
    (b) All contracts in excess of the small purchase threshold shall 
contain suitable provisions for termination by the recipient, including 
the manner by which termination shall be effected and the basis for 
settlement. In addition, such contracts shall describe conditions under 
which the contract may be terminated for default as well as conditions 
where the contract may be terminated because of circumstances beyond 
the control of the contractor. [[Page 13067]] 
    (c) Except as otherwise required by statute, an award that requires 
the contracting (or subcontracting) for construction or facility 
improvements shall provide for the recipient to follow its own 
requirements relating to bid guarantees, performance bonds, and payment 
bonds unless the construction contract or subcontract exceeds $100,000. 
For those contracts or subcontracts exceeding $100,000, the Federal 
awarding agency may accept the bonding policy and requirements of the 
recipient, provided the Federal awarding agency has made a 
determination that the Federal Government's interest is adequately 
protected. If such a determination has not been made, the minimum 
requirements shall be as follows.
    (1) A bid guarantee from each bidder equivalent to five percent of 
the bid price. The ``bid guarantee'' shall consist of a firm commitment 
such as a bid bond, certified check, or other negotiable instrument 
accompanying a bid as assurance that the bidder shall, upon acceptance 
of his bid, execute such contractual documents as may be required 
within the time specified.
    (2) A performance bond on the part of the contractor for 100 
percent of the contract price. A ``performance bond'' is one executed 
in connection with a contract to secure fulfillment of all the 
contractor's obligations under such contract.
    (3) A payment bond on the part of the contractor for 100 percent of 
the contract price. A ``payment bond'' is one executed in connection 
with a contract to assure payment as required by statute of all persons 
supplying labor and material in the execution of the work provided for 
in the contract.
    (4) Where bonds are required in the situations described herein, 
the bonds shall be obtained from companies holding certificates of 
authority as acceptable sureties pursuant to 31 CFR part 223, ``Surety 
Companies Doing Business with the United States.''
    (d) All negotiated contracts (except those for less than the small 
purchase threshold) awarded by recipients shall include a provision to 
the effect that the recipient, the Federal awarding agency, the 
Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly 
authorized representatives, shall have access to any books, documents, 
papers and records of the contractor which are directly pertinent to a 
specific program for the purpose of making audits, examinations, 
excerpts and transcriptions.
    (e) All contracts, including small purchases, awarded by recipients 
and their contractors shall contain the procurement provisions of 
Appendix A to this Circular, as applicable.

Reports and Records


Sec. 2543.50  Purpose of reports and records.

    Sections Sec. 2543.51 through Sec. 2543.53 set forth the procedures 
for monitoring and reporting on the recipient's financial and program 
performance and the necessary standard reporting forms. They also set 
forth record retention requirements.


Sec. 2543.51  Monitoring and reporting program performance.

    (a) Recipients are responsible for managing and monitoring each 
project, program, subaward, function or activity supported by the 
award. Recipients shall monitor subawards to ensure subrecipients have 
met the audit requirements as delineated in Section Sec. 2543.26.
    (b) The Federal awarding agency shall prescribe the frequency with 
which the performance reports shall be submitted. Except as provided in 
paragraph Sec. 2543.51(f), performance reports shall not be required 
more frequently than quarterly or, less frequently than annually. 
Annual reports shall be due 90 calendar days after the grant year; 
quarterly or semi-annual reports shall be due 30 days after the 
reporting period. The Federal awarding agency may require annual 
reports before the anniversary dates of multiple year awards in lieu of 
these requirements. The final performance reports are due 90 calendar 
days after the expiration or termination of the award.
    (c) If inappropriate, a final technical or performance report shall 
not be required after completion of the project.
    (d) When required, performance reports shall generally contain, for 
each award, brief information on each of the following.
    (1) A comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and 
objectives established for the period, the findings of the 
investigator, or both. Whenever appropriate and the output of programs 
or projects can be readily quantified, such quantitative data should be 
related to cost data for computation of unit costs.
    (2) Reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.
    (3) Other pertinent information including, when appropriate, 
analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs.
    (e) Recipients shall not be required to submit more than the 
original and two copies of performance reports.
    (f) Recipients shall immediately notify the Federal awarding agency 
of developments that have a significant impact on the award-supported 
activities. Also, notification shall be given in the case of problems, 
delays, or adverse conditions which materially impair the ability to 
meet the objectives of the award. This notification shall include a 
statement of the action taken or contemplated, and any assistance 
needed to resolve the situation.
    (g) Federal awarding agencies may make site visits, as needed.
    (h) Federal awarding agencies shall comply with clearance 
requirements of 5 CFR part 1320 when requesting performance data from 
recipients.


Sec. 2543.52  Financial reporting.

    (a) The following forms or such other forms as may be approved by 
OMB are authorized for obtaining financial information from recipients.
    (1) SF-269 or SF-269A, Financial Status Report.
    (i) Each Federal awarding agency shall require recipients to use 
the SF-269 or SF-269A to report the status of funds for all 
nonconstruction projects or programs. A Federal awarding agency may, 
however, have the option of not requiring the SF-269 or SF-269A when 
the SF-270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement, or SF-272, Report of 
Federal Cash Transactions, is determined to provide adequate 
information to meet its needs, except that a final SF-269 or SF-269A 
shall be required at the completion of the project when the SF-270 is 
used only for advances.
    (ii) The Federal awarding agency shall prescribe whether the report 
shall be on a cash or accrual basis. If the Federal awarding agency 
requires accrual information and the recipient's accounting records are 
not normally kept on the accrual basis, the recipient shall not be 
required to convert its accounting system, but shall develop such 
accrual information through best estimates based on an analysis of the 
documentation on hand.
    (iii) The Federal awarding agency shall determine the frequency of 
the Financial Status Report for each project or program, considering 
the size and complexity of the particular project or program. However, 
the report shall not be required more frequently than quarterly or less 
frequently than annually. A final report shall be required at the 
completion of the agreement.
    (iv) The Federal awarding agency shall require recipients to submit 
the SF-269 or SF-269A (an original and no more than two copies) no 
later than 30 days after the end of each specified reporting period for 
quarterly and semi-annual reports, and 90 calendar days for 
[[Page 13068]] annual and final reports. Extensions of reporting due 
dates may be approved by the Federal awarding agency upon request of 
the recipient.
    (2) SF-272, Report of Federal Cash Transactions.
    (i) When funds are advanced to recipients the Federal awarding 
agency shall require each recipient to submit the SF-272 and, when 
necessary, its continuation sheet, SF-272a. The Federal awarding agency 
shall use this report to monitor cash advanced to recipients and to 
obtain disbursement information for each agreement with the recipients.
    (ii) Federal awarding agencies may require forecasts of Federal 
cash requirements in the ``Remarks'' section of the report.
    (iii) When practical and deemed necessary, Federal awarding 
agencies may require recipients to report in the ``Remarks'' section 
the amount of cash advances received in excess of three days. 
Recipients shall provide short narrative explanations of actions taken 
to reduce the excess balances.
    (iv) Recipients shall be required to submit not more than the 
original and two copies of the SF-272 15 calendar days following the 
end of each quarter. The Federal awarding agencies may require a 
monthly report from those recipients receiving advances totaling $1 
million or more per year.
    (v) Federal awarding agencies may waive the requirement for 
submission of the SF-272 for any one of the following reasons:
    (A) When monthly advances do not exceed $25,000 per recipient, 
provided that such advances are monitored through other forms contained 
in this section;
    (B) If, in the Federal awarding agency's opinion, the recipient's 
accounting controls are adequate to minimize excessive Federal 
advances; or,
    (C) When the electronic payment mechanisms provide adequate data.
    (b) When the Federal awarding agency needs additional information 
or more frequent reports, the following shall be observed.
    (1) When additional information is needed to comply with 
legislative requirements, Federal awarding agencies shall issue 
instructions to require recipients to submit such information under the 
``Remarks'' section of the reports.
    (2) When a Federal awarding agency determines that a recipient's 
accounting system does not meet the standards in Section Sec. 2543.21, 
additional pertinent information to further monitor awards may be 
obtained upon written notice to the recipient until such time as the 
system is brought up to standard. The Federal awarding agency, in 
obtaining this information, shall comply with report clearance 
requirements of 5 CFR part 1320.
    (3) Federal awarding agencies are encouraged to shade out any line 
item on any report if not necessary.
    (4) Federal awarding agencies may accept the identical information 
from the recipients in machine readable format or computer printouts or 
electronic outputs in lieu of prescribed formats.
    (5) Federal awarding agencies may provide computer or electronic 
outputs to recipients when such expedites or contributes to the 
accuracy of reporting.


Sec. 2543.53  Retention and access requirements for records.

    (a) This section sets forth requirements for record retention and 
access to records for awards to recipients. Federal awarding agencies 
shall not impose any other record retention or access requirements upon 
recipients.
    (b) Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, 
and all other records pertinent to an award shall be retained for a 
period of three years from the date of submission of the final 
expenditure report or, for awards that are renewed quarterly or 
annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual 
financial report, as authorized by the Federal awarding agency. The 
only exceptions are the following:
    (1) If any litigation, claim, or audit is started before the 
expiration of the 3-year period, the records shall be retained until 
all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have 
been resolved and final action taken.
    (2) Records for real property and equipment acquired with Federal 
funds shall be retained for 3 years after final disposition.
    (3) When records are transferred to or maintained by the Federal 
awarding agency, the 3-year retention requirement is not applicable to 
the recipient.
    (4) Indirect cost rate proposals, cost allocations plans, etc. as 
specified in paragraph (g) of this section.
    (c) Copies of original records may be substituted for the original 
records if authorized by the Federal awarding agency.
    (d) The Federal awarding agency shall request transfer of certain 
records to its custody from recipients when it determines that the 
records possess long term retention value. However, in order to avoid 
duplicate record keeping, a Federal awarding agency may make 
arrangements for recipients to retain any records that are continuously 
needed for joint use.
    (e) The Federal awarding agency, the Inspector General, Comptroller 
General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized 
representatives, have the right of timely and unrestricted access to 
any books, documents, papers, or other records of recipients that are 
pertinent to the awards, in order to make audits, examinations, 
excerpts, transcripts and copies of such documents. This right also 
includes timely and reasonable access to a recipient's personnel for 
the purpose of interview and discussion related to such documents. The 
rights of access in this paragraph are not limited to the required 
retention period, but shall last as long as records are retained.
    (f) Unless required by statute, no Federal awarding agency shall 
place restrictions on recipients that limit public access to the 
records of recipients that are pertinent to an award, except when the 
Federal awarding agency can demonstrate that such records shall be kept 
confidential and would have been exempted from disclosure pursuant to 
the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) if the records had 
belonged to the Federal awarding agency.
    (g) Indirect cost rate proposals, cost allocations plans, etc. 
Paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) apply to the following types of documents, 
and their supporting records: indirect cost rate computations or 
proposals, cost allocation plans, and any similar accounting 
computations of the rate at which a particular group of costs is 
chargeable (such as computer usage chargeback rates or composite fringe 
benefit rates).
    (1) If submitted for negotiation. If the recipient submits to the 
Federal awarding agency or the subrecipient submits to the recipient 
the proposal, plan, or other computation to form the basis for 
negotiation of the rate, then the 3-year retention period for its 
supporting records starts on the date of such submission.
    (2) If not submitted for negotiation. If the recipient is not 
required to submit to the Federal awarding agency or the subrecipient 
is not required to submit to the recipient the proposal, plan, or other 
computation for negotiation purposes, then the 3-year retention period 
for the proposal, plan, or other computation and its supporting records 
starts at the end of the fiscal year (or other accounting period) 
covered by the proposal, plan, or other computation. [[Page 13069]] 

Termination and Evaluation


Sec. 2543.60  Purpose of termination and enforcement.

    Sections Sec. 2543.61 and Sec. 2543.62 set forth uniform 
suspension, termination and enforcement procedures.


Sec. 2543.61  Termination.

    (a) Awards may be terminated in whole or in part only if:
    (1) By the Federal awarding agency, if a recipient materially fails 
to comply with the terms and conditions of an award,
    (2) By the Federal awarding agency with the consent of the 
recipient, in which case the two parties shall agree upon the 
termination conditions, including the effective date and, in the case 
of partial termination, the portion to be terminated, or
    (3) By the recipient upon sending to the Federal awarding agency 
written notification setting forth the reasons for such termination, 
the effective date, and, in the case of partial termination, the 
portion to be terminated. However, if the Federal awarding agency 
determines in the case of partial termination that the reduced or 
modified portion of the grant will not accomplish the purposes for 
which the grant was made, it may terminate the grant in its entirety 
under either paragraphs (a) (1) or (2) of this section.
    (b) If costs are allowed under an award, the responsibilities of 
the recipient referred to in paragraph Sec. 2543.71(a), including those 
for property management as applicable, shall be considered in the 
termination of the award, and provision shall be made for continuing 
responsibilities of the recipient after termination, as appropriate.


Sec. 2543.62  Enforcement.

    (a) Remedies for noncompliance. If a recipient materially fails to 
comply with the terms and conditions of an award, whether stated in a 
Federal statute, regulation, assurance, application, or notice of 
award, the Federal awarding agency may, in addition to imposing any of 
the special conditions outlined in Section Sec. 2543.14, take one or 
more of the following actions, as appropriate in the circumstances.
    (1) Temporarily withhold cash payments pending correction of the 
deficiency by the recipient or more severe enforcement action by the 
Federal awarding agency.
    (2) Disallow (that is, deny both use of funds and any applicable 
matching credit for) all or part of the cost of the activity or action 
not in compliance.
    (3) Wholly or partly suspend or terminate the current award.
    (4) Withhold further awards for the project or program.
    (5) Take other remedies that may be legally available.
    (b) Hearings and appeals. In taking an enforcement action, the 
awarding agency shall provide the recipient an opportunity for hearing, 
appeal, or other administrative proceeding to which the recipient is 
entitled under any statute or regulation applicable to the action 
involved.
    (c) Effects of suspension and termination. Costs of a recipient 
resulting from obligations incurred by the recipient during a 
suspension or after termination of an award are not allowable unless 
the awarding agency expressly authorizes them in the notice of 
suspension or termination or subsequently. Other recipient costs during 
suspension or after termination which are necessary and not reasonably 
avoidable are allowable if:
    (1) The costs result from obligations which were properly incurred 
by the recipient before the effective date of suspension or 
termination, are not in anticipation of it, and in the case of a 
termination, are noncancellable, and
    (2) The costs would be allowable if the award were not suspended or 
expired normally at the end of the funding period in which the 
termination takes effect.
    (d) Relationship to debarment and suspension. The enforcement 
remedies identified in this section, including suspension and 
termination, do not preclude a recipient from being subject to 
debarment and suspension under E.O.s 12549 and 12689 and the Federal 
awarding agency implementing regulations (see Section Sec. 2543.13).

Subpart D--After-the-Award Requirements


Sec. 2543.70  Purpose.

    Sections Sec. 2543.71 through Sec. 2543.73 contain closeout 
procedures and other procedures for subsequent disallowances and 
adjustments.


Sec. 2543.71  Closeout procedures.

    (a) Recipients shall submit, within 90 calendar days after the date 
of completion of the award, all financial, performance, and other 
reports as required by the terms and conditions of the award. The 
Federal awarding agency may approve extensions when requested by the 
recipient.
    (b) Unless the Federal awarding agency authorizes an extension, a 
recipient shall liquidate all obligations incurred under the award not 
later than 90 calendar days after the funding period or the date of 
completion as specified in the terms and conditions of the award or in 
agency implementing instructions.
    (c) The Federal awarding agency shall make prompt payments to a 
recipient for allowable reimbursable costs under the award being closed 
out.
    (d) The recipient shall promptly refund any balances of unobligated 
cash that the Federal awarding agency has advanced or paid and that is 
not authorized to be retained by the recipient for use in other 
projects. OMB Circular A-129 governs unreturned amounts that become 
delinquent debts.
    (e) When authorized by the terms and conditions of the award, the 
Federal awarding agency shall make a settlement for any upward or 
downward adjustments to the Federal share of costs after closeout 
reports are received.
    (f) The recipient shall account for any real and personal property 
acquired with Federal funds or received from the Federal Government in 
accordance with Sections Sec. 2543.31 through Sec. 2543.37.
    (g) In the event a final audit has not been performed prior to the 
closeout of an award, the Federal awarding agency shall retain the 
right to recover an appropriate amount after fully considering the 
recommendations on disallowed costs resulting from the final audit.


Sec. 2543.72  Subsequent adjustments and continuing responsibilities.

    (a) The closeout of an award does not affect any of the following:
    (1) The right of the Federal awarding agency to disallow costs and 
recover funds on the basis of a later audit or other review.
    (2) The obligation of the recipient to return any funds due as a 
result of later refunds, corrections, or other transactions.
    (3) Audit requirements in Section Sec. 2543.26.
    (4) Property management requirements in Sections Sec. 2543.31 
through Sec. 2543.37.
    (5) Records retention as required in Section Sec. 2543.53.
    (b) After closeout of an award, a relationship created under an 
award may be modified or ended in whole or in part with the consent of 
the Federal awarding agency and the recipient, provided the 
responsibilities of the recipient referred to in paragraph 
Sec. 2543.73(a), including those for property management as applicable, 
are considered and provisions made for continuing responsibilities of 
the recipient, as appropriate.


Sec. 2543.73  Collection of amounts due.

    (a) Any funds paid to a recipient in excess of the amount to which 
the [[Page 13070]] recipient is finally determined to be entitled under 
the terms and conditions of the award constitute a debt to the Federal 
Government. If not paid within a reasonable period after the demand for 
payment, the Federal awarding agency may reduce the debt by:
    (1) Making an administrative offset against other requests for 
reimbursements,
    (2) Withholding advance payments otherwise due to the recipient,
    (3) Taking other action permitted by statute, or
    (b) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Federal awarding 
agency shall charge interest on an overdue debt in accordance with 4 
CFR Chapter II, ``Federal Claims Collection Standards.''

Subpart E--Statutory Compliance


Sec. 2543.80  Contract Provisions.

    All contracts, awarded by a recipient including small purchases, 
shall contain the following provisions as applicable:


Sec. 2543.81  Equal Employment Opportunity.

    All contracts shall contain a provision requiring compliance with 
E.O. 11246, ``Equal Employment Opportunity,'' as amended by E.O. 11375, 
``Amending Executive Order 11246 Relating to Equal Employment 
Opportunity,'' and as supplemented by regulations at 41 CFR part 60, 
``Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal Employment 
Opportunity, Department of Labor.''


Sec. 2543.82  Copeland ``Anti-Kickback'' Act.

    All contracts and subgrants in excess of $2000 for construction or 
repair awarded by recipients and subrecipients shall include a 
provision for compliance with the Copeland ``Anti-Kickback'' Act (18 
U.S.C. 874), as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR 
part 3, ``Contractors and Subcontractors on Public Building or Public 
Work Financed in Whole or in Part by Loans or Grants from the United 
States''). The Act provides that each contractor or subrecipient shall 
be prohibited from inducing, by any means, any person employed in the 
construction, completion, or repair of public work, to give up any part 
of the compensation to which he is otherwise entitled. The recipient 
shall report all suspected or reported violations to the Federal 
awarding agency.


Sec. 2543.83  Davis-Bacon Act.

    When required by Federal program legislation, all construction 
contracts awarded by the recipients and subrecipients of more than 
$2000 shall include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act 
(40 U.S.C. 276a to a-7) and as supplemented by Department of Labor 
regulations (29 CFR part 5, ``Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to 
Contracts Governing Federally Financed and Assisted Construction''). 
Under this Act, contractors shall be required to pay wages to laborers 
and mechanics at a rate not less than the minimum wages specified in a 
wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, 
contractors shall be required to pay wages not less than once a week. 
The recipient shall place a copy of the current prevailing wage 
determination issued by the Department of Labor in each solicitation 
and the award of a contract shall be conditioned upon the acceptance of 
the wage determination. The recipient shall report all suspected or 
reported violations to the Federal awarding agency.


Sec. 2543.84  Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act.

    Where applicable, all contracts awarded by recipients in excess of 
$2000 for construction contracts and in excess of $2500 for other 
contracts that involve the employment of mechanics or laborers shall 
include a provision for compliance with Sections 102 and 107 of the 
Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327-333), as 
supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR part 5). Under 
Section 102 of the Act, each contractor shall be required to compute 
the wages of every mechanic and laborer on the basis of a standard work 
week of 40 hours. Work in excess of the standard work week is 
permissible provided that the worker is compensated at a rate of not 
less than 1\1/2\ times the basic rate of pay for all hours worked in 
excess of 40 hours in the work week. Section 107 of the Act is 
applicable to construction work and provides that no laborer or 
mechanic shall be required to work in surroundings or under working 
conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous. These 
requirements do not apply to the purchases of supplies or materials or 
articles ordinarily available on the open market, or contracts for 
transportation or transmission of intelligence.


Sec. 2543.85  Rights to Inventions Made Under a Contract or Agreement.

    Contracts or agreements for the performance of experimental, 
developmental, or research work shall provide for the rights of the 
Federal Government and the recipient in any resulting invention in 
accordance with 37 CFR part 401, ``Rights to Inventions Made by 
Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under Government 
Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements,'' and any implementing 
regulations issued by the awarding agency.


Sec. 2543.86  Clean Air Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act.

    Contracts and subgrants of amounts in excess of $100,000 shall 
contain a provision that requires the recipient to agree to comply with 
all applicable standards, orders or regulations issued pursuant to the 
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) and the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.). Violations shall be 
reported to the Federal awarding agency and the Regional Office of the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).


Sec. 2543.87  Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment.

    Contractors who apply or bid for an award of $100,000 or more shall 
file the required certification. Each tier certifies to the tier above 
that it will not and has not used Federal appropriated funds to pay any 
person or organization for influencing or attempting to influence an 
officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, officer or 
employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in 
connection with obtaining any Federal contract, grant or any other 
award covered by 31 U.S.C. 1352. Each tier shall also disclose any 
lobbying with non-Federal funds that takes place in connection with 
obtaining any Federal award. Such disclosures are forwarded from tier 
to tier up to the recipient.


Sec. 2543.88  Debarment and Suspension.

    No contract shall be made to parties listed on the General Services 
Administration's List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or 
Nonprocurement Programs in accordance with E.O.s 12549 and 12689, 
``Debarment and Suspension.'' This list contains the names of parties 
debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded by agencies, and contractors 
declared ineligible under statutory or regulatory authority other than 
E.O. 12549. Contractors with awards that exceed the small purchase 
threshold shall provide the required certification regarding its 
exclusion status and that of its principal employees.

[FR Doc. 95-5625 Filed 3-9-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P