Sharing Data While Protecting Privacy

The thoughtful use of accurate and reliable data plays a critical role in key Administration initiatives to increase transparency and efficiency of federal programs. When information is shared between agencies, it allows the government to achieve better outcomes for the American public through more accurate evaluation of policy options, improved stewardship of taxpayer dollars, reduced paperwork burdens, and more coordinated delivery of public services. In a November 3, 2010 Memorandum, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) encourages agencies to “seek new approaches for identifying and sharing high-value data responsibly and appropriately.”

Plain Writing Act Preliminary Guidance

On October 13, 2010, President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 into law. The purpose of the Act is to promote “clear government communication that the public can understand and use.” The Act defines plain writing as clear, concise, and well-organized.

Grants Events

To view upcoming events in the grants community, click “Read the Rest of This Entry” below.

CCR is Going Away

Posted on behalf of  Kathleen Oliver, GSA/IAE Program Manager

In the next 12 months, the General Services Administration (GSA) is going to move the capability currently offered by the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and other systems to a new system called the System for Award Management (SAM).

Grants.gov Update

Posted on behalf of Loretta Smith-Hawkins, Grants.gov PMO

Since accepting the first online applicant submissions in 2005, the Grants.gov program has experienced phenomenal growth in both visibility and rising submission rate that is a testimony to the original vision for Grants.gov. Grants.gov continues to provide a common face to the public for grants find and apply while delivering easy access to shared citizen services.

Intensifying and Expanding Payment Recapture Audits

On November 16, 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released  Memorandum M-11-04, Increasing Efforts to Recapture Improper Payments by Intensifying and Expanding Payment Recapture Audits, to heads of executive departments and agencies containing new improper payments guidance. The Memorandum and accompanying guidance focus on increasing efforts to recapture improper payments by intensifying and expanding payment recapture audits in accordance with the March 10, 2010, Presidential Memorandum and the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (IPERA).