EPA Office of Grants and Debarment Guidance on Selected Items of Cost for Recipients

Notification Date:  August 17, 2018

Original Notification Date:  April 13, 2018

Purpose:  This Recipient/Applicant Information Notice (RAIN) informs recipients and applicants of new guidance on selected items of cost.

Purpose of Revision: EPA has updated guidance on proposal preparation costs.

Policy Summary:  EPA has issued revised guidance on determining the allowability on the following items of cost: advertising and public relations, advisory councils, entertainment, fund raising, meals and light refreshments at conferences, and proposal costs. This revision provides updated information on EPA’s policy for the allowability of direct charges for proposal preparation costs. Potential applicants and recipients should use this guidance as a reference when preparing budgets for EPA assistance agreements and managing EPA assistance agreements.

Background:  The implementation of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Grants Guidance or UGG) of 2 CFR 200, or (in the case of meals and light refreshments) EPA policy changes, revised the standards for allowability for the following six items of cost: advertising and public relations, advisory councils, entertainment, fund raising, meals and light refreshments at conferences, and proposal costs.

Related Resources:

• Guidance on Selected Items of Cost for Recipients (PDF)(10 pp, 243 K)
• RAIN 2018 G01 R - EPA Office of Grants and Debarment Guidance on Selected Items of Cost for Recipients (PDF)(1 pg, 191 K)