Training On USAID Regulations

This five-day workshop covers the many rules and regulations associated with USAID funding, through the lens of NGOs based outside of the US that receive US Government funding, either directly or as a sub-award. This highly participatory course provides the knowledge and skills needed to effectively respond to the challenges in managing USAID awards and ensuring compliant project implementation. While the focus of this training is USAID funding for grants and cooperative agreements, it also provides a good foundation for understanding funding from other US Government agencies.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course the participants will be able to:

• Navigate and apply USAID rules and regulations to ensure compliant and successful program implementation
• Build and manage collaborative relationships with key players related to your award
• Explain the relationship between your organizational policies and the regulations
• Identify when approvals, waivers, and extensions are required, as well as how to obtain them
• Develop strategies for finding the answers to common and complex issues (e.g., determining allowable costs, correct procedures for purchasing equipment, property disposition, limits on budget revision, cost share, documentation requirements, avoiding common audit findings)

DURATION

10 days

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The training is meant for individual participants and teams of employees that are in the following USAID-funded project departments: Finance, contracts, and grants; Programs and Administration; New business development; Human resources; Any experienced NGO employee who needs an update on the rules and regulations; and Independent auditors (including representatives from certified public accounting firms who perform compliance or financial audits within the development sector).

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1

• Introduction to USAID, Its Regulations, and Organizational Set-Up
• Why USAID Rules and Regulations
• Organization of USAID
• USAID/Field Mission Organizations
• Funding framework
• Assistance vs Acquisition
• Award Mechanisms
• US vs Non-US Regulations
• Implementation of Assistance Awards
• How is USAID Organized
• Rules and Regulations Map
• Working effectively with USAID
• Manage and Effective Relationship with USAID
• Best Practices with Agreement Officer
• Award package – Cover letter, Award, Schedule
• Highlights in an Award
• Developing an Award Brief

Standard Provisions

• Financial Management
• Allowable costs
• Accounting, Audit, and Records
• Amendments, Budget Revisions
• Notices
• Bank Accounts, Interest
• Payment, Advances, and Reimbursements
• Good Financial Practices
• Accounting Records 

Property

• Title to end use of property inventory management
• Inventory Management
• Disposition of Property

Module 2

• Procurement
• Procurement Concepts and Procedures
• Competitive Procurement
• Procurement Files
• Ineligible and Restricted Goods
• Ineligible Procurement
• Restricted Goods

Source & Nationality

• Update
• Definitions
• Scope and Application
• Geographic Codes
• Source of Commodities
• Nationality of Suppliers
• Foreign Government Controlled Organizations
• Nationality of Staff and Consultants
• Leases
• Restricted Commodities
• Waivers
• Procurement Resources 

Cost Principles

• Cost Principles
• Prior Approval
• Allowability
• Reasonableness
• Allocability
• Selected Items of Cost
• Items that Require Prior Approval
• Unallowable Costs
• Selected Items of Cost

Module 3

Mandatory Standard Provisions:

• Marking
• Termination and Suspension
• Preventing Terrorist Financing

Required as Applicable Provisions:

• Indirect Costs – Fixed Amounts
• Subaward
• Air Travel and Transportation
• Shipment of Goods and non-Business Travel
• Cost Share or Matching
• Leveraging
• Program Income

Other Selected Standard Provisions

Audits:

• Types of audits
• Guidelines for Financial Audits Contracted by Foreign Recipients
• US Government Financial Audits
• US Government Performance Audits

GENERAL NOTES

• This course is delivered by our seasoned trainers who have vast experience as expert professionals in the respective fields of practice. The course is taught through a mix of practical activities, theory, group works and case studies.
• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.