Height Modernization Planning: Lessons Learned NOAA Grants Application Process

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Height Modernization Planning Lessons
LearnedNOAA Grants Application Process
NGS Convocation 2005
Providing Valuable Products and Services Into
the Future

• Renee Shields

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Problems in FY05

1. Grants Online was new to applicants and to NOAA
   
2. Increase in number of grants to process
3. Process is held up by delays in appropriations
   CR
4. Lack of guidance/changes in what was
   required/expected by NOAA

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Lessons Learned - Grants

• 1. Grants Online was new to applicants and to
  NOAA
• Kudos to applicants! - All NGS grants (9) were
  submitted online 2 minor problems, solved in a
  few days 1 problem took a couple of weeks
• Many new staff in GMD learning grants as well
  as a new system
• Bugs to iron out software process

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Lessons Learned - Grants

• 2. Increase in number of grants to process in
  NGS
• FY01 CA, NC
• FY02 CA, NC, LA, WI
• FY03 CA, NC, LA, WI, MS
• FY04 CA, NC, LA, WI, MS, AL, WA, SC
• FY05 CA, NC, LA, WI, MS, AL, WA, KY, TX
• WE HOPE THIS ISNT GOING TO CHANGE!

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NOAA Grants Statistics

• 1982 368 awards, 109.3 M
• 1987 583 awards, 171.0 M
• 1992 852 awards, 229.4 M
• 1997 1,174 awards, 357.4 M
• 2002 1,498 awards, 906.0 M
• In 20 years 307 increase in awards, 728.9
  increase in obligations ()
• FY02, NOS was 31 of all awards

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Lessons Learned - Grants

• 3. Process is held up by delays in appropriations
  CR
• Assume there will always be a CR!
• Get around this with

Multi-year Grants
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Multi-Year Grants

• Proposal describes long-range plan
• Grant dates cover 3-, 4-, or 5-year period
• Grant amount is for life of grant Subject to
  availability of funds
• Review is done when application is submitted, no
  other reviews unless significant revisions to SOW
• After approval of application, yearly processing
  submission of procurement request by NGS to GMD

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Lessons Learned - Grants

• 4. Lack of guidance/changes in what was
  required/expected
• New rules from GMD and NOAA Legal

Better Guidelines from NGS
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Better Guidelines

• Provide requirements for forms
• Outline information expected in proposal
  background, SOW, NEPA requirements, results
  desired, connection to NOAA mission
• Detail information needed in budget
  justification, relationship to SOW
• Explain review process internal and peer
• Explain post-award actions financial and
  progress reports, revisions to budget and SOW,
  extensions

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• Questions?