While it seems unlikely this bill will move substantially forward, it is worth noting that Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) submitted HR 4370 “[t]o require new policies and procedures to address duplication and inefficient spending in the Federal grants process.”
The bill would require each applicant for a grant from an Executive agency to submit, as part of the application for the grant, the following information:
- A list of each similar Federal grant the applicant applied for during the one-year period preceding the date of submission of the application.
- A list of each similar Federal grant the applicant received during the five-year period preceding the date of submission of the application.
- A statement of whether the applicant has ever been debarred or suspended by an Executive agency from receiving Federal grants and, if so, a list of each such debarment or suspension.
In the case where the applicant fails to fully disclose, s/he could be debarred and awards could be revoked.
Agencies would also be required to establish better methods and provide sufficient information to allow other agencies to better identify potential duplication.
