Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 8/7/96
Series: Federal Assistance Programs
Part 505: Grants Administration
Chapter 1: Policy Development and Management
Originating Office: Office of Acquisition and Property Management
505 DM 1
1.1 Purpose. This chapter provides procedures for policy development and oversight management of Federal assistance programs within the Department.
1.2 Policy. It is the policy of the Department to ensure uniform implementation of all statutes, Executive orders, and policies, procedures, and regulations issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department of the Treasury, and other Federal agencies which govern the conduct of Federal assistance program activities within the Department. In the development of implementing policies and procedures, Interior policy also requires the participation of affected bureaus and offices to the maximum extent practicable.
1.3 Responsibilities.
A. Office of Acquisition and Property Management (PAM). PAM is responsible for the following functions:
(1) Development of Departmental policies, procedures, and regulations for issuance in the Departmental Manual which implement Governmentwide Federal assistance statutory or regulatory requirements including, but not limited to, the following:
- Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs".
- OMB Circular A-89, "Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance".
- OMB Circular A-102, "Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments".
- OMB Circular A-110, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations".
(2) Oversight of the operation of the Interior Federal Assistance Working Group which is established to provide a focal point for coordinated Federal assistance activities of the bureaus and offices. PAM is responsible for chairing the Working Group which provides an opportunity for representatives from bureaus and offices to provide input into the formulation and implementation of policies.
(3) Provision of technical assistance and management oversight of Federal assistance activities in accordance with
guidelines established under revised OMB Circular A-123, "Internal Control Systems". Requests for technical assistance may need to be submitted in writing with appropriate documentation.
B. Bureaus and Offices. Bureaus and offices within the Department are responsible for the following functions:
(1) Development and issuance of bureau/office policies, procedures, and regulations which will implement Departmental policies identified in 1.3A(1) above;
(2) Oversight of the implementation of these policies at the regional and field levels;
(3) Appointment of a representative and an additional representative, if desirable, to participate on the Interior Federal Assistance Working Group;
(4) Coordination of bureau/office responses to Departmental requests for comments on proposed policies and procedures; and
(5) Continuous review of bureau/office internal controls to ensure compliance with the common control standards in 340 DM 2.3.
C. Office of Inspector General. The Assistant Inspector General for Audits is responsible for the following functions:
(1) Development of policies, procedures, standards and criteria relating to audit activities at all levels of the Department (see 360 DM 1); and
(2) Serving as the cognizant audit agency for grant programs if appropriate.
8/7/96 #3079
Replaces 9/12/86 #2708