"Why GAO Did This StudyGAO has previously identified severalmanagement challenges that havehindered grants management reformefforts. GAO was asked to reviewrecent federal grants managementreform efforts. GAO reviewed (1) whatOMB and other federal grantsgovernance bodies have done sincethe passage of P.L. 106-107 to reformgrants management processes, and(2) what actions, if any, have beentaken to address what GAO has foundto be persistent managementchallenges. GAO reviewed relevantlegislation, OMB circulars andguidance, action plans of interagencycouncils responsible for overseeinggrants management reforms, andprevious GAO work and other literatureon grants management reforms. GAOalso reviewed its previous work oncollaborative mechanisms andmanagement consolidation efforts.GAO also interviewed officials fromOMB, grant-making agencies, andassociations representing a variety ofgrantee types.What GAO RecommendsGAO recommends that the Director ofOMB: (1) develop and make publiclyavailable an implementation schedulethat includes performance targets, goalleaders who can be held accountablefor each goal, and mechanisms tomonitor, evaluate, and report onresults; (2) clarify the roles andresponsibilities for various streamlininginitiatives; and (3) develop an effectivetwo-way communication strategy withrelevant stakeholders. OMB generally"

Federal grants management : a progress report on streamlining and simplifying the federal grants process : hearing before the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census of the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, first session, April 29, 2003.