Monitoring and Managing Cooperative Agreements Course
IDGRNT8230

Module 1: Purpose and Role of Cooperative Agreements

• Explain when and why cooperative agreements are used instead of grants.
• Identify statutory and regulatory authority governing cooperative agreements.
• Describe substantial federal involvement in practical terms.

Module 2: Regulatory Framework and Oversight Expectations

• Identify 2 CFR 200 provisions applicable to cooperative agreements.
• Understand agency-specific policies governing federal involvement.
• Recognize oversight expectations from OMB, IGs, and Congress.

Module 3: Roles, Responsibilities, and Boundaries

• Distinguish federal versus recipient responsibilities.
• Identify risks associated with role confusion and informal direction.
• Establish clear boundaries to preserve accountability.

Module 4: Monitoring Cooperative Agreements

• Design monitoring approaches that reflect substantial federal involvement.
• Integrate technical engagement with compliance monitoring.
• Avoid over-monitoring and inappropriate direction.

Module 5: Performance Management in Cooperative Agreements

• Assess performance within collaborative program structures.
• Interpret milestones, deliverables, and shared outcomes.
• Identify early warning signs of performance failure.

Module 6: Financial Oversight and Cost Management

• Monitor costs and drawdowns in cooperative agreements.
• Identify financial risks unique to shared federal involvement.
• Distinguish technical guidance from financial control.

Module 7: Managing Change and Federal Direction

• Navigate scope changes, approvals, and amendments.
• Document federal input without directing recipient operations.
• Manage evolving program needs defensibly.

Module 8: Addressing Noncompliance and Performance Issues

• Identify compliance and performance issues through monitoring.
• Determine appropriate responses consistent with cooperative agreement authority.
• Coordinate corrective actions and technical assistance.

Module 9: Documentation and Defensibility

• Document federal involvement clearly and consistently.
• Avoid documentation gaps that increase audit risk.
• Prepare cooperative agreement files for audit and IG review.

Module 10: Capstone Simulation — Managing a Cooperative Agreement

• Apply cooperative agreement management concepts to a realistic scenario.
• Identify appropriate federal involvement actions.
• Document decisions suitable for audit and oversight review.