[$XQ=626300] News Release for Immediate Release August 6, 2003 DC Government Preparing for Federal E-Grants Initiative The e-Grants Initiative is one of 24 e-Government programs that the Federal Government has mandated as part of the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999. This government-wide initiative requires that all grant applications and reporting be done electronically by October 2003. It is important that as this federal initiative rolls out, DC Government agencies be prepared to effectively interact electronically with our federal funders. To this end, the DC Office of Partnerships and Grants Development (OGPD) and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) are co-chairing a task force made up of representatives from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), the City Administrator's Office and various District Government agencies. A DC Government-wide e-Grants system would involve the standardization of two processes: (1) developing systems that would ensure DC agencies are prepared, trained and able to respond to new Federal grant electronic requirements; and (2) developing a citywide, user-friendly system for subgrantees to respond to District grant opportunities. The goals of the DC e-Grants task force include: Strengthening DC Government's relationship with the Federal Government's e-Grant initiative and expanding our sphere of influence Managing internal efforts and coordinating communication across District agencies Ensuring compatibility of systems that different District agencies may want to use (both in responding to federal grants and when subgranting funds) Being informed and keeping abreast of developments in other states Searching for funding OPGD will develop a set of instructions that will assist agencies to prepare for the electronic application mandate. This will be presented at a citywide orientation session in mid-September and will be made available to all District government agency personnel who are involved in grant development activities. Stay tuned for additional information.