Skip Navigation
Administration for Children and Families  
ACF
ACF Home   |   Services   |   Working with ACF   |   Policy/Planning   |   About ACF   |   ACF News   |   HHS Home

  Questions?  |  Privacy  |  Site Index  |  Contact Us  |  Download Reader™  |  Print      

 
Administration for Native Americans skip to primary page content

Information for New Grantees

Notice of Award Letter (NOA)

    1. What is an NOA?
    2. What information is included in the NOA?

Financial Assistance Award Document (FAA)

    1. What is an FAA?
    2. When does a grantee receive an FAA?
    3. What information is included in the FAA?

Contacts for the Grantee

    1. What federal contacts do grantees interact with during the project period?
    2. How do you know who your Program Specialist at ANA is and how do you contact them?
    3. How do you know who your Office of Grants Management (OGM) Specialist is and how do you contact them?
    4. How do you contact the Department of Payment Management (DPM)?

Notice of Award Letter (NOA)

    1. What is an NOA?
      1. The Notice of Award (NOA) Letter announces the award of funding for the proposed project.  The letter provides key information to the grantee, which will be used in the management of the grant.  The NOA is sent to the authorizing official’s office.
    1. What information is included in the NOA?
      1. The NOA will include the grant number; the name and contact information of the ANA Program Specialist assigned to the project; the name and contact information of the Office of Grants Management (OGM) Grants Management Specialist assigned to the project, the Terms and Conditions for award and information on setting up a Division of Payment Management (electronic transfer of funds) account.

Return to Top

Financial Assistance Award Document (FAA)

    1. What is an FAA?
      • The Financial Assistance Award document is the official award document used by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for discretionary financial assistance programs.  It is the official document stating the federal award, non-federal match amount and lists the approved budget categories. The FAA provides the documentation for recording the obligation of ANA funds.   
    1. When does a grantee receive an FAA?
      • An FAA is prepared and sent to the grantee with the NOA to signify the grant award has been made.  Each time a grantee requests a change to the grant award (e.g., key personnel change, budget modification, carry over budget, no cost extension) a new FAA will be sent to the authorizing official indicating the grant action was approved.  If the request is not approved, a denial letter will be sent with an explanation for the decision.  An FAA is also sent to approve a non-competing continuation application.  No application (original or non-competing continuation) is officially funded and no grant award change request is officially approved until the FAA has been received by the authorizing official. 
    1. What information is included in the FAA?
      1. The Award Number (Box 3): This should be referenced in all correspondence to ANA about the project and is also included on the program and financial reports.
      2. The Budget Period (Box 8): The budget period is the timeframe in which expenses can be incurred for grant activities. It is equivalent to 12 months.
      3. The Project Period (Box 9): The project period is the timeframe that grant activities can be performed. This is typically equivalent to 12, 24, or 36 months.
      4. Principal Investigator or Program Director (Box 15): The individual designated will be the contact person for ANA on issues relating to the grant.
      5. Approved Budget (Box 16): The approved Federal amounts for the budget categories that have been approved for the project.
      6. Award Computation (Box 17): The award computation states the dollar amount for the non-Federal share of the project to be provided by the grantee and the dollar amount of the Federal funds which will be provided by ANA.
      7. Authorized Treatment of Program Income (Box 21): This authorizes the use of program income generated as a result of grant activities.
      8. Remarks (Box 26): In the remarks box it states how the grant is paid, regulations which are incorporated by reference, and other requirements of the grant. It is important to read the remarks section closely as it may contain special conditions which impact project implementation, i.e. drawing down funds for indirect costs.
      9. Click here to view a copy of an FAA with the terms above clearly indicated on the form. 

Return to Top

Contacts for the Grantee

    1. What federal contacts do grantees interact with during the project period?
      1. The ANA Program Specialist is your primary contact person.  If you need to make any changes to your project (personnel changes, budget modifications, carry-overs, no-cost extensions) or you need technical assistance, contact your program specialist first to discuss project needs/challenges and to get the process started. The ANA program specialist need to receive copies of all reports and official grant action requests. 
      2. The ANA Training and Technical (TA) Providers are available to assist grantees who are having difficulties with administering or managing their grants.  If you are having trouble reporting on your grant or are behind schedule (because of personnel changes or an unexpected event) and need help getting back on track, these folks can help.  They are experts in project management and can answer questions and provide guidance.  They provide assistance over the phone or by email, but in some cases can provide on-site assistance.  They also  assist Tribes and Native non-profit organizations who want to submit an application to ANA.  TA providers are regionally based. 
      3. The ACF Office of Grants Management Specialist  is the person that receives originals of all official correspondence and finalizes actions on your grant.  They focus on the financial management of your grant. Questions or concerns about financial aspects can be directed to your grants management specialist.
      4. The Department of Payment Management (DPM) is used for making payments to grantees or withholding payments to grantees.  They are the ones that you speak with to set up your drawdowns or if you are having problem accessing your funds.  For additional information grantees may reach DPM by calling toll free-877-614-5533 or www.dpm.psc.gov.
      5. In addition, grantees will be introduced to ANA’s Impact Evaluators toward the end of the project period.  At the end of your project (for 75% of you), an Impact Evaluator will visit your project site.  The purpose of the evaluation is to determine the overall impact and success of the project.  It will be a chance for you to share the positive benefits, best practices and general challenges met during the life of the project.  This visit occurs during a six month time frame, with the first visits three months prior to the completion of the project. 
    1. How do you know who your Program Specialist at ANA is and how do you contact them?
      1. Your Program Specialist is indicated on the Notice of Award Letter, along with their contact information at ANA.
    2. How do you know who your Office of Grants Management (OGM) Specialist is and how do you contact them?
      1. Your OGM Specialist is indicated on the Notice of Award Letter, along with their contact information.
    3. How do you contact the Department of Payment Management (DPM)?
      1. The help desk at DPM can be contacted 7:30am- 6:00pm by phone at: (877) 614-5533

Return to Top