Federal agencies implement a series of pre-award requirements to ensure that grant recipients meet legal, ethical, and operational standards before funding is released. These provisions support accountability, transparency, and compliance across all stages of the grant process.
Key Insights
- Applicants must submit certifications affirming adherence to federal requirements, including non-discrimination, drug-free workplace policies, and lobbying restrictions.
- Pre-award costs may be approved if they are necessary, reasonable, and authorized in advance by the awarding agency, allowing recipients to begin project activities prior to the official award.
- Federal award details, including terms, funding amounts, and compliance obligations, must be clearly documented and publicly accessible through platforms such as usaspending.gov and SAM.gov.
This lesson is a preview from our Grants Management Certificate Program. Enroll in a course for detailed lessons, live instructor support, and project-based training.
Once applicants have passed merit and risk reviews, several additional pre-award requirements ensure compliance, transparency, and clarity before funds are issued. Subsection 209 certifications and representations. Applicants must provide formal assurances of compliance with federal requirements.
This includes commitments to non-discrimination, maintaining a drug-free workplace, and adherence to lobbying restrictions, among other assurances. These certifications help protect the integrity of federal programs and ensure that recipients operate within legal and ethical standards. Subsection 210 covers pre-award costs.
Certain costs may be incurred prior to the official award, and if they are necessary, reasonable, and pre-approved by the federal awarding agency, pre-award costs may be allowed to recipients to initiate critical project activities while ensuring that expenditures are eligible for reimbursement once the award is finalized. Subsection 211 covers award information. Every award must clearly communicate essential information to the recipient.
This includes the award ID number, the agency or passionate entity, the CFDA number or federal assistance listings number, award dates, funding amounts, terms and conditions, and compliance requirements. Clear award documentation ensures that recipients fully understand their responsibilities and obligations. Public access.
Federal awards must be publicly accessible through usaspending.gov. Supporting records and documentation are generally available in SAM.gov, with limited exceptions for sensitive information. Public access promotes transparency and allows oversight bodies, recipients, and the public to track the use of federal funds. Subsection 213 goes over ineligible applicants.
When an entity is deemed ineligible for funding, agencies must notify both the applicant and the General Services Administration. This ensures transparency and helps maintain accurate records for future funding decisions, preventing ineligible entities from receiving federal awards. Together, these pre-award provisions create a framework that ensures recipients are qualified, costs are allowable, award terms are clear, and federal funds remain transparent and accountable from the very beginning of the grant life cycle.