COVID-19 Grantee Frequently Asked Questions

Allowable costs incurred by recipient grants staff performing grant duties while teleworking would be permissible (due to COVID-19; Ref: 2 CFR § 200.403-.405) in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards (45 CFR Part 75) and consistent with the recipients organizational policies and procedures.

For telecommunications, video surveillance services and/or equipment costs please see HRSA Standard Terms #15 Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment.

The Department of Labor has posted information related to COVID-19 effects on wages, work hours, and leave categories.

The OMB M 20-26 (PDF - 4 MB), allowing HRSA recipients the flexibility to charge salaries and benefits to active awards consistent with their organization's policy of paying salaries under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances (from all funding sources, federal and non-federal) has expired. During the COVID-19 emergency, internal controls over time and effort documentation and reporting under 45 CFR § 75.430 may be adjusted for staff unable to report for work; however, recipients must document that they are following their organizational policy for charging salaries during unexpected and extraordinary circumstances and they must be able to substantiate federal funds expended in accordance with HRSA. The Grants Management Specialist assigned on your Notice of Award can provide specific information if you need additional assistance

As a reminder, recipients must maintain appropriate records and cost documentation (as required by 45 CFR § 75.302 - Financial management and standards for financial management systems and 45 CFR § 75.361 - Retention requirement for records) to substantiate the charging of any salaries and other project activities costs related to interruption of operations or services.

With the rescission of OMB Memo M-20-17 (PDF - 5.4 MB), HRSA has accordingly returned to standard prior approval requirements. The Grants Management Specialist assigned on your Notice of Award can provide specific information if you need additional assistance.

With the rescission of OMB M 20-17 (PDF - 5.4 MB) HRSA has accordingly returned to standard procurement requirements.

If your organization is unable to submit an application by the published NOFO deadline due to justified circumstances you may request an extension. As referenced in the SF-424 Application Guide (PDF - 700 KB) on pages 14-15 and 48, HRSA's Division of Grants Policy (DGP) in the Office of Federal Assistance Management is the only office authorized to grant extensions. You must contact the DGP via email at DGPWaivers@hrsa.gov and provide a brief explanation and your earliest estimated date of submission. Request for extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Your email must include:

• HRSA funding opportunity number;
• name, address, and telephone number of the organization;
• organization's DUNS number; and
• name and telephone number of the Project Director.

Please contact DGP as soon as possible if you anticipate issues completing your application on time and need to request an extension. Applicants are also reminded to select "Subscribe" and provide your email address in the Grants.gov workspace for each NOFO you are reviewing or preparing in order to receive notifications including modifications (e.g., a new application due date), clarifications, and/or re-publication of the NOFO on Grants.gov before its closing date.

As outlined in 45 CFR 75.203, HHS awarding agencies adhere to a standard of providing 60 days for applicants to apply for competitive NOFOs, but may not post NOFOs for less than 30 days without additional approval from HHS.

HRSA consistently publishes NOFOs for 60 days or more to provide applicants with the time needed to submit quality applications.

Applicants may search for applicable funding opportunities at Grants.gov.

If you are unable to submit your non-competitive continuation (NCCs) report by the posted due date, please contact your Grants Management Specialist via email.

Please note, non-competitive continuation reports vary by program, so it is important to contact your HRSA Grants Management Specialist for specific guidance. All requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis, depending on recipient circumstances.

Extension requests can be made through HRSA's Electronic Handbooks. Contact your Grants Management Specialist with any additional questions.

Request an extension through HRSA’s Electronic Handbook - how to request an extension. Contact your Grants Management Specialist with questions.

Request an extension through HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks - how to request an extension. Contact your Grants Management Specialist with any questions.

Based on the March 19, 2021 OMB Memorandum M-21-20 (PDF - 372 KB) (Appendix 3, § IX), recipients and subrecipients that have not filed their Single Audits with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, as of the date of the memorandum, that have fiscal-year ends through June 30, 2021, may delay the completion and submission of their Single Audits to six months beyond the normal due dates.

The six-month extension provided by the OMB Memorandum applies to recipients and subrecipients of Federal financial assistance awards that were affected by the pandemic, not just those that received Federal funding related to COVID-19.

If you choose to delay your Single Audit submissions, you are not required seek prior approval. However, you should maintain documentation of the reason for the delayed filing.

If you have questions about your ability to obtain the extension or want to inform HRSA you will be taking advantage of this flexibility, please email HRSA's Division of Financial Integrity.

The flexibility provided by OMB M-20-17 (PDF - 5.4), to relax the requirement for active System for Award Management (SAM) registration at the time of application, has expired. All applicants should have and maintain an active SAM registration in order to apply for federal awards.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties at Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Applicant Support Help Desk at 1-800-518-4726.

An active System for Award Management (SAM) registration requirement at the time of application applies to recipients as well as sub-recipients.

Recipients may contact: HHS PSC Cost Allocation Services. Commercial recipients may contact: NIH Division of Financial Advisory Services Indirect-Cost Branch.