Partner Events

January 28  |  10:00 AM – 6:00PM EST
February 26  |  8:00 AM – 4:00PM EST
March 16  |  10:00 AM – 6:00PM EST
March 26  |  9:00 AM – 5:00PM EST

Virtual Interactive Course
Federal Grants Update 2020 Virtual Interactive Course

Overview: Numerous recent laws and government directives are impacting Federal grants management. Significant updates to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200 and other Parts) affect grants management. Other changes range from the shifting of certifications to SAM.gov to new grants data elements. This one-day overview of the current grants environment will help build your understanding and ability to deal with what is on the horizon in the grants realm. This course has been completely updated to address the latest changes in federal grants, including the impact of the CARES Act and other COVID-19 issuances on grant policy.
 
Who Takes This Course: This course is intended for anyone interested in keeping their grants management knowledge current, including staff from Federal awarding agencies; state, local, and tribal governments; nonprofit organizations; community colleges and universities; and audit organizations.
 
Course Format: Individual and small group exercises, lecture, discussion

Wednesday, January 13  |  2-3 PM ET
Webinar
3 Resolutions to Make for Your Government Grants

After the devastation COVID-19 has wreaked on governments, their economies, and their communities, grants have become one of the most reliable ways to offset revenue shortfall and help those in need. So what should state, local, and tribal governments prioritize for the 2021 fiscal year? eCivis’ certified grants management specialists will help you make some tangible resolutions for your government grants so you can quickly access and distribute funding through smoother processes and deliver significant results to those counting on you for COVID-19 relief. Join this complimentary webinar to learn: What to expect from potential funding packages, best practices to make grants administration more efficient, and 3 resolutions to make for this year regarding grants management. Start the new year off strong and ensure your organization’s success in 2021! Attendees will earn 1 CPE credit.

Thursday, January 28  |  2-3 PM ET
Webinar
Competitive Government Grant Proposal Bids That Save Time and Money

With no new state and local government funding in the latest COVID-19 relief package, and revenue shortfalls of over $400 billion over the next three years, it’s more important than ever to execute a strong government grant proposal. A competitive grant proposal means the difference between those who continue to experience revenue decline and those who will improve economic outlook in the long-term. However, with no single template to address the various (and complicated) types of funding opportunities, where do you start? In this webinar from American City and County and eCivis, attendees will learn: What are the most three important types of grants, do’s and don’ts when it comes to preparing a proposal for government grants, 6 steps to assemble a competitive grant proposal. Attendees will earn 1 CPE credit.

January 28  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
Subrecipient Agreements: Key Terms

In this webinar, we will discuss the important role that the subrecipient agreement plays in the recipient-subrecipient relationship. This presentation will address key terms in any agreement, variations that may be negotiated and the bounds of what may be permissible within the Uniform Guidance framework, areas of emphasis in different scenarios, and challenges that each party may encounter when key terms are unclear or absent.  Led by FTLF Partner Scott S. Sheffler and anchored in the background law applicable to subawards, this presentation is designed to offer practical advice for grant management personnel responsible for making the subrecipient relationship work.

February 18  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
Federally Funded Information Technology

In the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, many federally funded organizations invested in information technology (“IT”), both for purposes of remote service delivery and continuity of workforce operations.  Even in “normal” times, federal funds are often used directly or indirectly for IT infrastructure as well as for development or acquisition of program-service-related systems.  The use of federal funds to acquire IT triggers considerations ranging from prior approvals for capital acquisitions, sustainability strategies that are compliant with the federal procurement standards, and even ownership of intellectual property when developing new systems.  Join FTLF Partner Scott S. Sheffler to examine these issues and how they may impact your strategic planning when purchasing and maintaining IT with federal funds.

March 3-5  |  10:30 AM-5:00 PM ET
Workshop
Federal Funding Academy

A three-day overview of the federal grants system, covering everything from the legal underpinnings of the system through procurement and subaward requirements, cost issues, and audit resolution.

Federal Grants Practice Group attorneys Ted Waters and Scott Sheffler and independent grants consultant Jerry Bertrand dive deeply into and lead you through in-depth discussions of regulatory language and effective implementation – particularly when the regulations are ambiguous.  Impacts of the CARES Act and other COVID-19 pandemic-related declarations, funding, and flexibilities will be examined and explained.

At this highly interactive and at times humorous training session, you'll have plenty of opportunities for discussion with Ted, Scott, and Jerry. Take advantage of this opportunity to have your questions answered and to directly apply the knowledge you've gained from the training session.

March 18  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
Sole Source Procurements Under the Uniform Guidance

Every grantee knows that a “sole source” procurement is a high-risk event when using federal funds.  Yet, the Uniform Guidance does not offer much clarity on when sole source procurements are permissible.  Despite listing potential justifications of “only available from a single source,” “public emergencies,” and more, the regulations do not go on to explain what might qualify as fitting within these general categories, exposing grantees to the peril of strict after-the-fact review of any noncompetitive procurement.  In this webinar, FTLF attorneys Joseph P. Loman and Scott S. Sheffler bring years of experience in both federal government contracts and federal grants to an in-depth discussion of this often vexing area of the law..

April 27  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
Federally Supported Property

Documenting and managing federal interest in real and personal property is critical to avoiding disputes upon disposition of that property. Failure to fully understand the impact of a federal interest in your organization’s property can expose your organization to sizable liability.

This webinar discusses the federal government’s interest in the real and personal property that grant and cooperative agreement recipients acquire and improve with federal funds. FTLF Partner Nicole M. Bacon will discuss the concept of “federal interest,” including what it is, how it is created, and its long-term implications.  In addition, Ms. Bacon will discuss the requirements under the Uniform Guidance pertaining to the use, management, and disposition of grant-funded real and personal property.

May 19  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
Time and Effort Documentation

The most common compliance finding for federal grant recipients is a failure to adequately document the time and effort of the grantee’s personnel.  Fundamentally a requirement designed to ensure reasonable allocation of personnel costs, time and effort requirements are often misunderstood.  Compounding the confusion, the Uniform Guidance relaxed requirements for most grantees in late 2014, but the relaxed standards in the regulatory text led to few changes in actual practices by agency reviewers, auditors, and grantees who had grown accustomed to the more specific requirements under the prior OMB Circulars.

Join FTLF Managing Partner Ted Waters for a discussion of the purpose of time and effort, defensible systemic approaches under current standards, and a discussion of common mistakes.

June 10  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
An Ounce of Prevention: Post-Award Considerations
for Grant Writers and Development Office Personnel

One of the best tools in eliminating risk in federal grant performance is careful crafting of the grant application.  Yet, too often, those tasked with developing grant applications lack the support they require in understanding the key risks inherent in post-award grant management.  This presentation is tailored to the perspective of grant writers, development office personnel, and senior leaders evaluating potential federal funding streams as their organizations grow.

FTLF Partner Scott S. Sheffler provides guidance on how to evaluate federal opportunities and key performance risks in advance of submitting an application and discusses critical areas of preliminary coordination.  In the strategic approach to federal opportunities, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

July 15  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
2021 Legal Update

Each year there are numerous important judicial, legislative, and administrative decisions that impact federal grant law.  These decisions shape the way the law is interpreted and ultimately applied by federal grantees.  This webinar, presented by FTLF Partner Scott S. Sheffler and Senior Counsel Phillip A. Escoriaza, will address important rulings that have occurred over the last year and the practical implications of those cases upon grantees.

August 19  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
The Allowable Cost System

Fundamentally, a grant from the federal government is simply an agreement by the government to reimburse a non-federal entity for certain costs of certain activities.  The limits of the government’s agreement are expressed primarily through the federal cost principles and are defined as “allowable costs.”  Join FTLF Partner Scott S. Sheffler to evaluate and discuss the scope and limitations on reimbursable costs, and key risk areas inherent in this system.

September 15  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
Cost Allocation and Indirect Cost Rates

One of the most challenging compliance obligations of federal grantees is ensuring that they charge only “allocable” costs to their federal awards.  At its core a very straight-forward concept, in practice cost allocation can prove a complex endeavor.  From direct allocation, through cost allocation plans, and federally approved indirect cost rate agreements, an understanding of cost allocation principles aids grantees in efficiently and properly recovering project costs from the federal government.  Join FTLF Partner Scott S. Sheffler to build from cost allocation basics to intermediate allocation concepts, examine practical examples, and walk through the indirect rate agreement negotiation process.

October 21  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
Procurement Standards

An area of constant compliance focus, the federal procurement standards continue to evolve.  This webinar will walk through the core requirements of the federal procurement standards and will highlight key new aspects with the 2020 updates to the Uniform Guidance.

FTLF Partner Scott S. Sheffler will concisely address procurement considerations from the underlying legal requirements impacting grantee processes to the core competition requirements, preferences for small businesses and domestic sources, and new limitations on purchases of certain telecommunications equipment and services from Huawei Technology Company and certain other entities.  Tying the various requirements together into a logical and systemic whole, Mr. Sheffler will address the procurement standards from the practical perspective of a grantee’s need not just for compliance, but also efficient and repeatable systems.

November 10  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
Responding to Audit Findings

The federal grant system is, at its core, a “trust but verify” system in which compliance is driven by after-the-fact review of grantee actions.  Often, such after-the-fact reviews are in the form of Single Audit Act annual audits or Office of Inspector General audits.  

In this presentation, FTLF Managing Partner Ted Waters and Partner Scott S. Sheffler bring their day-to-day practice in resolving audit findings to bear for an in-depth discussion of risks, strategies, and opportunities in the audit process.  Based upon the legal underpinnings of the federal grant system and government rights to impose remedial measures, Mr. Waters and Mr. Sheffler provide practical guidance on the “do’s and don’t’s” in audit resolution.

December 9  |  1:00-2:15 PM ET
Webinar
The Single Audit Under the Uniform Guidance

As our first year of audits in the “year of coronavirus” nears its end, join CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner Carol Barnard of Aronson LLC and FTLF Partner Scott S. Sheffler for a discussion of the Single Audit Act annual audit.

All medium and large grantees must undergo a Single Audit Act annual audit (often referred to as the “Uniform Guidance”, “A-133” or “Subpart F” audit).  The Single Audit is the federal government’s most important tool for testing your compliance with the terms of your awards. Moreover, it is a major annual expense for your organization, so it is important to get it right.

In this webinar, Scott and Carol and will provide an in-depth look at this process from both the grants accounting and legal perspectives, covering key topics like:

•     The federal purposes and authorities for such audits
•     Grantee obligations during the audit process
•     What to expect from auditors and federal agencies during an audit
•     Join us to ensure you understand the process, your rights, and your obligations.

January 25 - 27, 2021
Virtual Instruction
GRNT7025A001 - Effective Grants Manager

This course explores the critical steps toward increasing economy, efficiency and effectiveness of grants and grant-funded programs. As a participant in this class, you will explore current issues and events in grants management along with how to successfully prepare for a grant audit. You will find this course to be informative in guiding your approach to managing your organization's grant portfolio, whether you are a Federal employee or private sector grant administrator with financial, performance or compliance responsibilities. Participants will also learn and apply the general and technical competencies identified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to help ensure successful grants management outcomes.

March 2 - 4, 2021
Virtual Instruction
AUDT7407A001 - Auditing Grants

Understand the full grants management process, the current regulatory requirements governing grants and the role of auditors in developing strategies for assessing compliance and performance. Learn to develop audit objectives and procedures to identify issues and recommendations for constructive feedback, corrective action and accountability. Learn the stages of effective grants management from award, monitoring, audit and close-out. Become skillful at implementing strategies for auditing, application of cost principles performance measurement and reporting through each of the grant stages by applying those strategies in case studies. This class is part of the Graduate School USA Grants Management Certification program.

May 19 - 21, 2021
Virtual Instruction
WRIT7100D001 - Clear Writing through Critical Thinking

Think more clearly by improving your writing. Write more clearly by improving your thinking. Understand critical thinking and learn strategies for deeper and deeper levels of thinking. Improve your thought process at each stage of the writing process. Create logical and persuasive arguments, and recognize and remove faulty logic. Sharpen your problem-solving skills and enhance group success. Write plainly as mandated by the Federal Plain Writing Act of 2011 and empower your career with critical thinking and clear writing.

June 1 - 2, 2021
Virtual Instruction
COMM7006D001 - Interpersonal Communications

Learn proven techniques to work more productively and improve your everyday interactions with others. Discover conflict resolution strategies and negotiation techniques, and benefit from useful tips on tact and diplomacy.

This course is part of the Certificate of Accomplishment in Program and Management Analysis.

Enroll Anytime
Self Paced
Project Management

Enroll Anytime
Self Paced
PROJ8990T001 - Introduction to Microsoft Project 2016

This introductory course provides core knowledge and practice exercises for participants to directly operate Microsoft Project 2016. Participants use the software to develop a usable project plan, schedule tasks, manage project resources, and more. Participants navigate the Microsoft Project 2016 environment by defining a new project plan, organizing and linking project tasks, optimizing the critical path, setting the project baseline, adding and managing resources to the project plan, setting up resource calendars, resolving resource conflicts, customizing Gantt charts, creating timelines, custom reports and more.Management Analysis.