Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin
No. 372
August 31, 2011

MEMORANDUM FOR: 	All State Administrative Agency Heads 
      All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact 
      All Urban Areas Security Initiative Points of Contact 
      All State Homeland Security Directors 
      All State Emergency Management Agency Directors 
      All Eligible Regional Transit Agencies 
      All Private Sector Transportation Security Partners 
      All Public and Private Sector Port Security Partners 
      All Tribal Nation Points of Contact 
      All State Department of Motor Vehicle Points of Contact

FROM:			Elizabeth M. Harman
		Assistant Administrator
		Grant Programs Directorate


SUBJECT:      		Changes to Grants.gov


The purpose of this Information Bulletin is to inform the grantee community of some recent changes to Grants.gov that may impact future grant applications.  On August 9th, 2011, Grants.gov implemented the enforcement of active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) accounts in order to submit applications to Grants.gov.  This change affects all federal grant programs.

This requirement is part of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).  Specifically language as to this requirement is found in 2 CFR Part 25 which can be accessed at this link: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textdx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr25_main_02.tpl. Under the regulation, the applicant is required to “(2) Maintain an active CCR registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by an agency”.

When applying for a grant through Grant.gov, the system will check that every applicant has an active CCR account.  If the CCR account is current, the application will be submitted as normal.  If the CCR registration has expired, the applicant will not be able to submit.  CCR registration is good for one year.  The applicant is notified via email when the account is expiring.

Applicants can apply for or renew their CCR account on the CCR website: https://www.bpn.gov/CCR/default.aspx.  In order to ensure that applications are received by the application deadline, GPD is encouraging grantees to ensure that their CCR registrations are kept active, especially prior to applying for any future grant.  When renewing or apply for a CCR, it can take up to 24 hours for your account to update.

For further information, please visit the CCR website:  https://www.bpn.gov/CCR/default.aspx






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