OMB Uniform Guidance Implementation-- Nonprofits

Introduction

The National Council of Nonprofits has hosted a National Taskforce of nonprofits and government officials for the past several years to encourage and support efforts for mutually beneficial improvements in government-nonprofit contracting/grant systems. Recently, the proper implementation of the OMB Uniform Guidance at the pass-through level has been a priority in this larger reform effort.

To assist us in our work, we are collecting information through this survey to gain a better understanding of how the implementation of identified key elements in the Uniform Guidance is proceeding in each state. Both state agencies and nonprofits with government grants/contracts are being asked to complete questionnaires to determine where perceptions are the same and where they differ between the sectors.

We recognize that your organization likely has multiple government grants/contracts. Where an answer may differ on a single question depending on the agreement, please answer in terms how something is typically. Additional information can be provided in comment boxes as needed.

This survey is designed to be completed in less than 10 minutes and is not scientific. Individual responses will be kept confidential. We will, however, share the aggregate results with state agencies that complete the survey as well as you state association of nonprofits in order to facilitate any beneficial discussions that the information gathered may suggest.

Because of inconsistencies in terminology used by different levels of government, across different states, and even perhaps agencies, we ask that you use the following definitions when completing the survey:

Agreement a legal document summarizing agreement between parties. In some cases, this is referred to as a contract.

Application a response to a solicitation for proposals.

Grant/Contract for the purposes of this survey the terms grant and contract are used interchangeably to an agreement between a government entity and a nonprofit organization to carry out a program or service for the public.

RFP Request for Proposal also sometimes called RFA, Request for Applications both of which refer to a public solicitation for competitive responses to provide services.

Proposal means the same as application

Thank you for your help.

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* 1. In what state does your organization primarily operate?

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* 2. How many grants/contracts do you have with the state? (If 0, you need not answer any additional questions--Thank you for your time.)

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* 3. With which state agencies do you have grants/contracts? (Please spell out agency names, do not use acronyms.)

10.

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* 4. How many total government grants/contracts does your organization have (federal, state, local, other nonprofit)?

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* 5. How many of your state grants/contracts contain federal funds?

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* 6. If the state agency has multiple units (e.g. child protection, mental health, senior services, etc.), how many different units do you have agreements with?

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* 7. Is there a standard agreement format (except for program specific details) that is used across departments. units, and agencies?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Usually

Always

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* 8. Over the past few years have you seen standardized formats for (Check all that apply)

RFP/RFA

Proposals/Applications

Agreements

Data Collection

Financial reporting

Program reporting

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* 9. Which of the following formats are standardized and used consistently across agencies? (Check all that apply)

RFP/RFA

Proposal/Application

Agreements

Data Collection

Financial reporting

Program reporting

N/A

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* 10. Which of the following have standardized formats and are used consistently across all units within an agency? (Check all that apply)

RFP/RFA

Proposals/Applications

Agreements

Data Collection

Financial reporting

Program reporting

N/A

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* 11. Assuming no federally imposed caps, typically do your state grants and contracts include reimbursement for indirect costs?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Usually

Always

Please specify which, if any, grant/contract with which agency, if any, that do not

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* 12. How does the state agency determine the amount of indirect costs they will reimburse?

The state uses a standard rate (please provide the percentage rate is below)

We have a federally approved indirect cost rate that the state honors (please provide the percentage rate below)

We have a federally approved indirect costs rate that the state does not honor (please provide percentage below)

We negotiate a rate with the state agency based on the federal cost principles (please provide percentage rate below)

The state only pays the de minimis rate of 10 percent of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) and does not honor federally approved rates

For nonprofits without a federally approved indirect cost rate, the state only pays the de minimis rate of 10 percent of MTDC and will not negotiate a different rate based on the federal cost principles.

Please provide details of your response

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* 13. If your agreement with the state establishes a unit cost that they reimburse your organization for a service, does the unit cost include indirect costs?

Yes, it is included in the development of the rate

No, we must bill indirect costs separately

No, indirect costs are not included

Other (please specify)

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* 14. Does the state agency consider and treat indirect and administrative costs differently?

Yes

I don't know

If yes, please explain how.

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* 15. Have there been additional funds added to your organization's grants or contracts to pay for indirect costs?

Yes

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* 16. Rather than additional funds for indirect costs, has there been a reduction in the amount of services you are expected to provide to cover payment for indirect costs?

Yes

Other (please specify)

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* 17. What changes have you noticed since the state implemented the OMB Uniform Guidance? (Check all that apply)

Risk assessments

Additional monitoring procedures

Reimbursement for indirect costs

Different data collection requirements

Other (please specify)

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* 18. Please share any additional information that you think is helpful in determining how well the OMB Uniform Guidance has been implemented in your state.

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* 19. Are there other areas of grant/contracting policies and procedures in your state that can be improved? If so, please specify.

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* 20. Optional: This information is for our follow up purposes only if we have additional questions or need clarification on one of your answers.

Name of person completing survey

Position/Job Title

Organization

Phone number