Grant Applicants & Grant Recipients FAQ

February 2023

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Grant Applicants & Grant Recipients

GrantSolutions – Department of Labor

February 2023
Grant Applicants & Grant Recipients FAQ

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Table of Contents

GRANTSOLUTIONS TRANSITION FAQS FOR DOL GRANTS APPLICANTS AND GRANT RECIPIENTS 1

FAQ Audience and Context 1

What is GrantSolutions? 1

Are Recipients the same as Grantees? 1

GrantSolutions Business Processes and Timeline 1

What is my organization going to do in GrantSolutions? 1

When will my organization begin using GrantSolutions? 2

Will I still apply for DOL grants through Grants.gov? 2

Will I still need to be registered with SAM.gov after the GrantSolutions transition? 2

Will GrantSolutions show previous years’ award data, including grants that were closed on eGrants? 2

What are GrantSolutions Application Notes and Grant Notes? 3

How long are the Application Notes and Grant Notes kept in GrantSolutions? 3

Application Forms and Reports 3

Is the ADO (Grantee Authorizing Official) the same as the Signatory Authority on the SF-424? 3

If we have errors on the SF-424 form, will the system show us where the errors are? 3

Where will the Federal Financial Reports – FFRs (SF-425 and 9130s) be completed? 3

Roles and Access in GrantSolutions 3

What actions will grant applicants and grant recipients perform in GrantSolutions? 3

What roles can recipient users have in GrantSolutions? 4

What is the difference between the ADO and the PI/PD actions in GrantSolutions? 4

Can multiple PI/PDs or ADOs be assigned to the same award? 4

What differentiates a primary ADO or primary PI/PD from a non-primary user? 4

We are a small organization. Is there a single system role that can perform all the required tasks in GrantSolutions? 4

GrantSolutions Account Creation 5

Is my Grants.gov account the same as my GrantSolutions.gov account? 5

Will I obtain a GrantSolutions account? 5

How do I request the creation of a GrantSolutions account? 5

A new GrantSolutions account was created for me, but I did not receive any notifications with my login credentials or 

instructions. What should I do? 6

Will I receive a new GrantSolutions user account if my organization already uses GrantSolutions to manage its grant 

awards from a federal agency different than DOL? 6

GrantSolutions Login 6

How will I access GrantSolutions? 6

Do I need to create separate Login.gov accounts for each Federal system (such as SAM.gov, Grants.gov, GrantSolutions, 

etc.)? 6

GrantSolutions Recipient Training & Resources 7

Will I receive GrantSolutions system training? 7

Is the GrantSolutions system training going to be recorded? 8

Will the GrantSolutions system training have captions? 8
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In what language will the GrantSolutions system training be delivered? 8

Do I need to take the DOL GrantSolutions system training if I am already a GrantSolutions award recipient user? 8

If my organization has awards with different DOL agencies, do I need to take the GrantSolutions system training multiple 

times? 8

Is there a GrantSolutions Training environment available for practice? 8

Where can I find quick sheets, training recordings, training presentations, and more information about GrantSolutions? 9

GrantSolutions Support 9

What if I need help with GrantSolutions or encounter technical difficulties? 9
Grant Applicants & Grant Recipients FAQ

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GrantSolutions Transition FAQs for DOL Grants Applicants and Grant 

Recipients

FAQ AUDIENCE AND CONTEXT

• Did your organization apply for a DOL award? and/or, 

• Does your organization have a DOL grant award? 

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, these FAQs are for you!

Attention all Department of Labor (DOL) grant applicants and grant recipients (grantees): beginning 

June 2022, DOL will begin a phased transition from eGrants to the GrantSolutions platform for

processing grant applications, and issuing and managing grant awards, amendments (award 

modifications), and award closeouts.

What is GrantSolutions? 

GrantSolutions is a shared service provider that supports DOL and many other federal agencies 

throughout the grants lifecycle. GrantSolutions is a single system where grant applicants, grant 

recipients, and federal staff can perform and monitor the status of their respective grants 

management activities. 

Are Recipients the same as Grantees?

Yes, in GrantSolutions grantees are called recipients.

GRANTSOLUTIONS BUSINESS PROCESSES AND TIMELINE

What is my organization going to do in GrantSolutions?

In GrantSolutions, DOL grant applicants and grant recipients will receive and review their Notices of 

Award (NOA), submit amendment requests and documentation (award modifications), correspond 

with DOL federal staff assigned to their application or award, and submit application packages for 

certain programs (for some award types such as Sole Source, Recipients will apply directly in 

GrantSolutions). 
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When will my organization begin using GrantSolutions?

DOL agencies will deploy GrantSolutions in three groups:

1. Group A - Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) and Chief Evaluation Office 

(CEO) deployed on June 27, 2022.

2. Group B - Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Women’s Bureau (WB), and Office 

of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) deployed on February 6, 2023.

3. Group C - Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), Mine 

Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

(OSHA): June 26, 2023.

Please note: Dates may change. Updates will be posted on the DOL’s GrantSolutions website.

Will I still apply for DOL grants through Grants.gov?

Yes. GrantSolutions does not replace Grants.gov, and competitive applications will still be submitted 

through Grants.gov. 

• What remains: If you currently submit your DOL applications via Grants.gov, you will continue 

submitting your applications via Grants.gov.

• What changes: Applications for directed announcements (e.g., Sole Source) will be submitted 

via GrantSolutions.

Will I still need to be registered with SAM.gov after the GrantSolutions transition?

Yes, if required by your DOL awarding agency, you will still register to do business with the Federal

Government through the System for Award Management (SAM). 

Will GrantSolutions show previous years’ award data, including grants that were 

closed on eGrants? 

Yes. DOL award data will be available in GrantSolutions. Completed award actions from FY 2015 

onwards were migrated to the new system.
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What are GrantSolutions Application Notes and Grant Notes?

Applications Notes and Grant Notes are part of the GrantSolutions’ features that you will have 

available in the new system. Application and Grants Notes are used as correspondence between 

recipients and their awarding offices. Through these notes, users can add comments and attach 

necessary documents to an application or grant record in GrantSolutions. Notes are saved with the 

grant record for historical and tracking purposes. You may receive an Application or Grant Note from 

your awarding office staff and you may communicate with them via Application or Grant Notes as 

well. 

How long are the Application Notes and Grant Notes kept in GrantSolutions? 

Application Notes and Grant Notes are kept indefinitely. 

APPLICATION FORMS AND REPORTS

Is the ADO (Grantee Authorizing Official) the same as the Signatory Authority on 

the SF-424? 

Yes. The ADO is the same as the Signatory Authority on the SF-424.

If we have errors on the SF-424 form, will the system show us where the errors are?

Yes. If the SF-424 form is incomplete, it will show you where the error is on the form.

Where will the Federal Financial Reports – FFRs (SF-425 and 9130s) be completed?

FFRs (SF-425 and 9130s) will be completed outside GrantSolutions, in the Payment Management 

System (PMS).

ROLES AND ACCESS IN GRANTSOLUTIONS

What actions will grant applicants and grant recipients perform in GrantSolutions? 

Recipients will be able to:

• Submit Sole Source applications (most applications will be submitted via Grants.gov, but Sole 

Source applications will be submitted in GrantSolutions)

• Submit amendment request (award modification) and required documentation

• View awards and award history

• Communicate with DOL grant and program office staff (via Application and Grant Notes).
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What roles can recipient users have in GrantSolutions?

Recipient users can have the following roles in the system:

• Authorizing Official/Authorizing Representative (ADO): listed as the Recipient Authorizing 

Official on the Notice of Award

• Program Director/Principal Investigator (PI/PD): if assigned to the grant award, the PI/PD is 

also listed on the Notice of Award

• Financial Officer (FO)

• Financial Officer Support (FSS)

• Support Staff

What is the difference between the ADO and the PI/PD actions in GrantSolutions? 

The ADO will receive all notifications, and the PI/PD will only receive notifications if they are assigned 

to the grant award. 

Can multiple PI/PDs or ADOs be assigned to the same award? 

Yes, one award may have multiple PI/PDs and ADOs, but only one user per role can be assigned as the 

primary.

What differentiates a primary ADO or primary PI/PD from a non-primary user?

Multiple users with the same role can be assigned to the same award, only one individual can have the 

Primary Assignment. Recipients Primary Assignments are the ones who receive a notification when 

the NOA is issued.

We are a small organization. Is there a single system role that can perform all the 

required tasks in GrantSolutions? 

Both ADO and PI/PD can perform all the required tasks in GrantSolutions if they are assigned to the 

grant award.
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GRANTSOLUTIONS ACCOUNT CREATION

Is my Grants.gov account the same as my GrantSolutions.gov account?

No. These are separate systems that require user authentication for access. Please visit the Grants.gov 

Applicant FAQs page for information to register with Grants.gov.

Will I obtain a GrantSolutions account?

• DOL grant applicants and grant recipients who are new to GrantSolutions will have their 

GrantSolutions accounts created, and their corresponding awarding offices/contacts will share 

instructions on system training and access in advance of their deployment date (refer to 

Transition Timing above).

• DOL grant applicants and grant recipients who are already GrantSolutions users (i.e., 

organizations that have applied to or have been awarded by other Federal Agencies that use 

GrantSolutions) do not need new GrantSolutions accounts. They will automatically be able to 

access their DOL awards in GrantSolutions according to the Transition Timing (find above). 

Their corresponding awarding offices/contacts will share instructions on training opportunities 

in advance of the deployment date.

• Grant applicants and grant recipients awarded by multiple DOL agencies will only require 

one GrantSolutions account and will be able to access their DOL awards according to the 

deployment dates.

How do I request the creation of a GrantSolutions account?

If your awarding DOL agency has not deployed the new system yet, you cannot request a 

GrantSolutions account. If your awarding DOL agency is already live in GrantSolutions, please follow 

these instructions:

• The requester (user’s supervisor or other authorized organization official) must complete and 

sign the first section of the Recipient User Account Request Form.

• The person receiving access needs to sign and date the second part of the form (Data 

Access/Security Compliance Statement).

• Email all required documents to the GrantSolutions Help Desk at help@grantsolutions.gov. 

Please note GrantSolutions Help Desk cannot accept emails over 5 MB in size. 

If you require further assistance, please contact GrantSolutions Help Desk at 

help@grantsolutions.gov or (866) 577-0771.
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A new GrantSolutions account was created for me, but I did not receive any 

notifications with my login credentials or instructions. What should I do?

For account creations or login issues, please contact GrantSolutions Help Desk at 

help@grantsolutions.gov or (866) 577-0771.

Will I receive a new GrantSolutions user account if my organization already uses 

GrantSolutions to manage its grant awards from a federal agency different than 

DOL?

No. Your organization will not receive a new user account when your DOL awarding agency transitions 

to GrantSolutions. Instead, you will begin using your existing GrantSolutions account to manage your 

DOL grant awards once your awarding DOL agency deploys GrantSolutions. Users will receive 

instructions on training opportunities in advance of their awarding agency's deployment date.

GRANTSOLUTIONS LOGIN

How will I access GrantSolutions?

All users will access GrantSolutions via Login.gov according to their awarding DOL agency’s 

deployment date. Once your DOL awarding agency is live in the new system, you may access 

GrantSolutions following these steps:

1. Create a Login.gov account if you do not have one yet

2. If you already have a Login.gov account, add your GrantSolutions email address to your 

Login.gov account

3. Log into GrantSolutions via Login.gov

Do I need to create separate Login.gov accounts for each Federal system (such as 

SAM.gov, Grants.gov, GrantSolutions, etc.)?

No, your login.gov account enables you to access all the different Federal systems through one set of 

credentials that use Login.gov. Since these are all different systems, you still need to register in each 

one, but you only need one set of Login.gov credentials.
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For GrantSolutions Access:

• Once you connect the email address associated with your GrantSolutions account, you will be 

able to log into GrantSolutions from your Login.gov credentials.

• If you have multiple GrantSolutions usernames, after you access the system using your 

Login.gov credentials, you will be asked to select which GrantSolutions username you would 

like to access.

Please visit GrantSolutions Recipient Training Resources - Login to find quick sheets and videos to

guide you through this login process.

GRANTSOLUTIONS RECIPIENT TRAINING & RESOURCES

Will I receive GrantSolutions system training?

GrantSolutions will provide two detailed training sessions (live webinars) for DOL grant applicants and 

grant recipients to attend, covering various topics such as:

• Accessing your GrantSolutions account; 

• Navigating GrantSolutions 

• Viewing a Notice of Award and the grant award history; 

• Communicating with ETA through GrantSolutions Applications Notes and Grant Notes; 

• Applying to Sole Source Funding Opportunities in GrantSolutions 

• Submitting an amendment request for a post-award modification; and 

• Accessing help and technical support. 

Specific information regarding the dates/times for GrantSolutions system training and the process for 

registering for these training sessions will be provided by your appropriate DOL award office contacts. 

These GrantSolutions training sessions will be recorded/archived and accessible at on the DOL’s 

GrantSolutions website.

GrantSolutions system Training Dates:

Group / DOL Agencies Expect Training Invitation by Training Webinars Dates

Group A / VETS, CEO May 2022 June 2022

Group B / ETA, WB, ODEP January 2023 February 2023

Group C / ILAB, BLS, MSHA, 

OSHA

TBD, please stay tuned TBD, please stay tuned
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Is the GrantSolutions system training going to be recorded?

Yes. GrantSolutions webinars will be recorded, captioned, and made available on the DOL’s 

GrantSolutions website. Current and future grant applicants and grant recipients will always be able to 

refer to the recordings as needed.

Will the GrantSolutions system training have captions?

Yes. All GrantSolutions webinars will have live captions, and all training recordings will be captioned as 

well.

In what language will the GrantSolutions system training be delivered?

English. This includes all GrantSolutions training and related documentation, including training 

webinar captions.

Do I need to take the DOL GrantSolutions system training if I am already a 

GrantSolutions award recipient user?

Yes. All DOL grant applicants and grant recipients are required to take the DOL GrantSolutions 

system training. 

If my organization has awards with different DOL agencies, do I need to take the 

GrantSolutions system training multiple times?

Yes, you are required to attend each agency’s training because each agency's grant program(s) may 

have different requirements.

Is there a GrantSolutions Training environment available for practice?

No, the Training environment is not available for practice. Users will only have access to the 

production (real) environment once their corresponding awarding agency is live in the new system.
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Where can I find quick sheets, training recordings, training presentations, and more 

information about GrantSolutions?

You can find more information, training recordings, training presentations, and other materials on

DOL’s GrantSolutions website. 

GrantSolutions Recipient quick reference guides can be found through the following links. Please note 

that GrantSolutions is a shared service provider for different Federal Agencies, and these materials are 

not specific to the DOL grants process:

• Navigation and Login

• Apply for a directed announcement (submit Sole Source documentation)

• Award and post-award actions - quick sheets on how to add GrantSolutions Application Notes 

and Grant Notes, submit an amendment (award modification), see your award information and 

history.

GRANTSOLUTIONS SUPPORT

What if I need help with GrantSolutions or encounter technical difficulties?

For further questions and more information on GrantSolutions transition or business processes, please 

reach out to your DOL agency/office point of contact.

Once your awarding DOL agency is live in GrantSolutions, should you find any technical difficulties,

please contact GrantSolutions Help Desk at help@grantsolutions.gov or phone number 

1.866.577.0771. Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET (closed on Federal 

holidays).