Health and Safety Information for Financial Assistance Applicants and Recipients during COVID-19

OMB M-20-26, Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial  Assistance Directly Impacted by COVID-19

This posting provides information on guidance set forth by the OMB Memorandum M-20-26, Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by COVID-19. The OMB memorandum provided class exceptions allowing Federal awarding agencies to grant various administrative, financial and audit requirement flexibilities to recipients. 

As the country is still in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, this memorandum provides extensions to allow a responsible transition to normal operations as follows:

1. Allowability of salaries and other project activities (item 6 in M-20-17) through September 30, 2020 (See Item 1 in NOAA Guidance Regarding Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Due to Loss of Operations, dated March 27, 2020)
2. Extension of Single Audit submission (item 13 in M-20-17) through December 31, 2020. (See Item 5 in NOAA Guidance Regarding Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Due to Loss of Operations, dated March 27, 2020.)

Appendix A of M-20-26 describes the two flexibilities extended under extension to recipients affected by the loss of operational capacity due to the COVID-19. All flexibilities provided in memorandum M-20-26 will expire on September 30, 2020. M-20-17 and M-20-20 are rescinded. M-20-11 expires on July 26, 2020.

Questions regarding the above administrative relief provisions should be directed to the Grants Management Division. OMB will continue to provide updates and additional information as the situation unfolds.