The Department of Labor uses the Payment Management System of the Department of Health and Human Services for grant payments and accounting data. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also uses the Payment Management System of the Department of Health and Human Services for payments. The Inter-American Foundation uses the Department of Treasury s Financial Management System for grant payments. The National Science Foundation is currently discussing future possibilities for cross-servicing with other members of the Electronic Commerce Committee. The commitment to electronic grants processing is substantial and is expanding by federal departments and agencies.
Financial management is the most prevalent functional area for electronic grants processing.
A considerable opportunity exists to expand grantee access to grants processing through the adoption of EDI standards for federal, state, and local governments as well as educational and research institutions. Given the existing operational base and the planned developments and upgrades, adoption of standard federal guidelines and implementing conventions can provide a common interface and apply EC technologies to the grants life cycle. A commonly used implementing convention for the federal grants-making community would likely improve the timeliness, scope, and quality of the federal grants life cycle and assist in using fiscal and human resources effectively. This survey represents a point in time and was conducted to obtain an initial assessment of the electronic grants processing activities. The respondents indicate that these activities are an evolving and expanding area of the government business process.