Senators, GAO Criticize Grants.gov
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joseph Lieberman and Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, slammed Grants.gov on Thursday on the heels of a new Government Accountability Office report (PDF) that shows the Web site designed to streamline the federal grant process is plagued by technical limitations, degraded performance and user difficulties. Lieberman urged the Office of Management and Budget to work with Congress and the stakeholder community to "strengthen both the management and technology behind Grants.gov, while streamlining and increasing transparency."
Voinovich, who is ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia, said he was "concerned that a tool designed to improve the distribution and effectiveness of federal grants has so many issues in this technological age, in some cases putting applicants at a disadvantage compared to those who utilize other channels." He said the GAO report underscored the need for the House to pass the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act to help put Grants.gov back on the right course.
The legislation, sponsored by Lieberman and Voinovich, passed the Senate in March but does not yet have a House companion. Their bill would require OMB to maintain a public Web site that allows federal grant applicants to search and apply for grants; manage, track and report on the use of grants; and provide required certifications and assurances for grants. The measure also requires OMB to report to Congress within nine months of enactment, and biennially thereafter for 15 years on progress made in implementation. Additionally, the bill lays out a framework for OMB and agency-level strategic plans.
Join the Discussion
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus