Grants and the Recovery Act: Classic challenges, new dilemmas, and best practices
Partner: George Mason University, Department of Public and International Affairs
Author: Dr. Timothy J. Conlan, Professor, Government and Politics
Over one-third of the 2009 Economic Stimulus package is composed of grants in aid to state and local governments. Effectively distributing, spending, and administering federal grants has long presented unique challenges for federal managers and policy makers. Many of these chronic challenges are present in the ARRA, but in an aggravated form, because of the need for rapid expenditure of funds and political pressures for greater transparency, performance, and accountability. This paper will identify options and best practices for addressing critical challenges of grants management accentuated by the design and accelerated timetable of the economic stimulus program.
Acquisition Under the Recovery Act: Buying fast, transparently, and well using the 2 1/2-day method
Partner: George Mason University, Department of Public and International Affairs
A Conversation with: Dr. Allan Burman, Adjunct Professor of Public and International Affairs
Dr. Burman had a lengthy career in the Federal government, serving in policy positions in the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He had the longest tenure of any Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, serving in the Executive Office of the President under Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. He has testified before Congress more than forty times about management, acquisition, and budget matters, including on March 5, when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to testify about Recovery Act procurement. Dr. Burman authored the 1991 policy letter that established “performance-based contracting” and greater reliance on fixed-price contracting as the favored approach for contract reform. He also authored the policy letter that encouraged agencies to make greater use of past performance.
