The Grants and Contracts Services Team (GCST) provides centralized logistical and technical support services for discretionary grant programs in OSERS. It provides assistance to the three program components (OSEP, NIDRR and RSA) in processing discretionary grants from application announcement development through receipt of performance reports. The team provides coordination and liaison within OSERS and with other Departmental offices.

In performing its responsibilities, the GCST:

Process planning/budgeting

• Coordinates with other OSERS and Departmental staff in workplan development activities, including scheduling.

• Coordinates the overall OSERS review process in collaboration with components.

• Manages the reviewer support contract.

• Coordinates with the Departmental Grants Policy and Oversight Staff to ensure consistency in grants and contracts policies across OSERS and maintains the OSERS grants policies and procedures manual.

• Assists components in implementing OSERS grant-related financial policies, standards and procedures.

• Maintains a system for tracking grant funds through recording and monitoring obligating documents and reviewing and analyzing financial reports (currently done for OSEP only).

Application packages

• Makes application forms and instructions short and simple.

• Develops and maintains the OSERS application package mailing list.

• Coordinates the development, printing, and mailing of application packages with program work teams.

Application control

• Notifies ineligible applicants.

• Recommends and awards grants.

• Maintains official grant files, including filing grant award documents.

• Maintains work area with materials needed by program work teams to prepare grant awards and then mails packages prepared by the program work teams to the grantees.

Grant continuations and amendments

• Rolls over prior year data and prepares and mails notices of due dates.

• Receives, logs and forwards grant performance reports to appropriate program staff.

• Maintains grant systems.

• Offers training and technical assistance to OSERS program work teams on the use of Departmental grants systems.

• Maintains a file of generic grant forms for program work teams to download and customize.

Key Staff:
Director: Mary Chambers