Ep. 6 - Drawing the Line: Understanding Direct Costs in Federal Grants

Ep.8 - From Suspension to Termination: The Realities of Grant Noncompliance

In this season finale of Grants Management Experts, Jasmine Markanday wraps up Season 2 with one of the most crucial and often daunting areas of federal grant management: when things go wrong in federal grants. Under 2 CFR 200.339–343, Jasmine explains the federal remedies available when a recipient or subrecipient fails to comply with grant requirements from temporary suspensions to full terminations and how you can protect your organization through proactive compliance, strong internal controls, and effective communication. What You’ll Learn in This Episode  The consequences of non-compliance: * How federal agencies can withhold payments, disallow costs, or suspend/terminate awards * The impact of termination listings in SAM.gov and how it affects future funding opportunities Understanding termination: * The three ways termination can occur: by the agency, mutual consent, or by the recipient * What a termination notice must include reasons, effective dates, and scope * Why transparency and procedural fairness (2 CFR 200.341–.342) matter in the appeals process The financial impact: * What happens to costs incurred during suspension or termination (hint: most are unallowable) * The two limited exceptions that may apply *  How suspension or termination halts your ability to charge costs to the award How to protect your organization: *  Strengthening internal controls and training staff * Documenting compliance, communication, and corrective actions * Understanding your right to object, appeal, and provide evidence before termination decisions are final Key Takeaways * Know the risks: Non-compliance can lead to more than disallowed costs; it can result in termination, SAM.gov reporting for five years, and future funding loss. * Act quickly: If you receive a notice, respond immediately and explore corrective actions. * Prevention is everything: Strong internal controls, policies, and staff training are your best defense. Resources & Links * 2 CFR 200.339–343: Remedies for Non- Compliance * Learn more at https://markanday.consultingmarkanday.consulting [https://markanday.consulting] Connect with Us * Instagram: https://instagram.com/markandayconsulting@markandayconsulting [https://instagram.com/markandayconsulting] * LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/markandayconsulting@markandayconsulting [https://linkedin.com/company/markandayconsulting] If this episode was helpful, please share it with your colleagues and leave a review to help other grant professionals find the show. That’s a wrap for Season 2! Join Jasmine next season as she continues unpacking practical insights, compliance strategies, and expert guidance to help you stay informed and stay compliant. Quote to Remember: “Grants management isn’t just about going after the money, it's about protecting your organization, the communities you serve, and the trust they’ve placed in you.” - Jasmine Markanday

Ep. 7 - From Micro-Purchases to Formal Solicitations: 2 CFR 200 Procurement Standards

In this episode of Grants Management Experts, Jasmine dives into one of the most practical — and often misunderstood — areas of federal grant management: procurement standards under 2 CFR 200.320. Whether you’re a recipient, subrecipient, or grants professional supporting compliance, understanding procurement methods is critical for both cost allowability and audit readiness. What You’ll Learn in This Episode 1. The three procurement methods: * * Informal (micro-purchases & simplified acquisitions) * * Formal (sealed bids & proposals) * * Non-competitive (sole source under limited circumstances) 2. Key thresholds you must know: * * Micro-purchase threshold: $10,000, increasing to $15,000 on October 1, 2025 * * Simplified acquisition threshold: $250,000, rising to $350,000 in October 1, 2025Self-certification option to raise micro-purchase thresholds up to $50,000 — and the conditions required 3. How to apply each method: * * When micro-purchases are appropriate and how to document price reasonableness * * Conditions for sealed bids versus proposals under the formal method * * Situations where sole sourcing is allowed — and the documentation required 4. Special considerations: * * Procurement of architectural and engineering services through qualifications-based selection * * State, local, or tribal rules that may further limit thresholds * * The importance of self-certification and internal risk assessments Key Takeaways * Always align procurement decisions with written procedures that match both federal rules and your organization’s policies. * Documentation is everything: from price reasonableness to risk assessments and self-certifications. * Understand thresholds now — and prepare for the upcoming October 2025 changes. * Remember: in grants management, fairness, competition, and compliance are the foundations of procurement. Resources & Links: * 2 CFR 200 Procurement Standards * Learn more at markanday.consulting [https://www.markanday.consulting/] Connect with Us: * Instagram: @markandayconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/markandayconsulting/] * LinkedIn: @markandayconsulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/markanday-consulting/] If this episode was helpful, please share it with your colleagues and leave a review to help other grants professionals find the show. Stay tuned for next week’s SEASON FINALE episode, where Jasmine will continue breaking down essential compliance topics in federal grants management. Quote to Remember: “As a grant professional, it is your job to help your organization find the right method, apply it consistently, and document, document, document” — Jasmine Markanday

Ep. 6 - Drawing the Line: Understanding Direct Costs in Federal Grants

In this episode of Grants Management Experts, Jasmine Markanday breaks down one of the most critical concepts in federal grant compliance: direct costs. Guided by 2 CFR 200.413, Jasmine explains what qualifies as a direct cost, when certain costs can shift from indirect to direct, and why consistency is the cornerstone of compliance. From administrative staff salaries to minor purchases, unallowable costs, and nonprofit-specific considerations, this episode equips you with the clarity to correctly classify expenses and avoid compliance pitfalls. Whether you’re writing a grant budget or managing one post-award, this deep dive will help you protect your organization’s resources and credibility. What You’ll Learn: * The definition of direct costs under 2 CFR 200.413 and how they differ from indirect costs. * Key questions to ask when deciding if an expense is a direct cost. * Special conditions for charging administrative and clerical salaries directly. * How to handle minor items and apply consistent treatment. * The role of unallowable costs in calculating indirect cost rates. * Nonprofit-specific rules for member and client service activities. Key Takeaways: * A cost is direct if it can be specifically tied to a grant’s objectives with accuracy. * Consistency is non-negotiable—similar costs must be treated the same way across funding sources. * Some typically indirect expenses (like cybersecurity upgrades) can be charged directly if they clearly support one grant. * Administrative salaries may only be charged directly if they meet all three CFR conditions. * Unallowable costs, while not chargeable, must still be included in the direct cost base for rate calculations. Pro Tip:Train your staff on cost classification policies—misclassification can lead to audit findings, repayment of funds, and loss of credibility. Connect with Us: * Instagram: @markandayconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/markandayconsulting/] * LinkedIn: @markandayconsulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/markanday-consulting/] Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with your grants team! Quote to Remember: “Direct costs aren’t just about accuracy—they’re about fairness to your organization, your funders, and the federal government.” — Jasmine Markanday

Ep. 6 - Drawing the Line: Understanding Direct Costs in Federal Grants

In this episode of Grants Management Experts, Jasmine Markanday breaks down one of the most critical concepts in federal grant compliance: direct costs. Guided by 2 CFR 200.413, Jasmine explains what qualifies as a direct cost, when certain costs can shift from indirect to direct, and why consistency is the cornerstone of compliance. From administrative staff salaries to minor purchases, unallowable costs, and nonprofit-specific considerations, this episode equips you with the clarity to correctly classify expenses and avoid compliance pitfalls. Whether you’re writing a grant budget or managing one post-award, this deep dive will help you protect your organization’s resources and credibility. What You’ll Learn: * The definition of direct costs under 2 CFR 200.413 and how they differ from indirect costs. * Key questions to ask when deciding if an expense is a direct cost. * Special conditions for charging administrative and clerical salaries directly. * How to handle minor items and apply consistent treatment. * The role of unallowable costs in calculating indirect cost rates. * Nonprofit-specific rules for member and client service activities. Key Takeaways: * A cost is direct if it can be specifically tied to a grant’s objectives with accuracy. * Consistency is non-negotiable—similar costs must be treated the same way across funding sources. * Some typically indirect expenses (like cybersecurity upgrades) can be charged directly if they clearly support one grant. * Administrative salaries may only be charged directly if they meet all three CFR conditions. * Unallowable costs, while not chargeable, must still be included in the direct cost base for rate calculations. Pro Tip:Train your staff on cost classification policies—misclassification can lead to audit findings, repayment of funds, and loss of credibility. Connect with Us: * Instagram: @markandayconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/markandayconsulting/] * LinkedIn: @markandayconsulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/markanday-consulting/] Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with your grants team! Quote to Remember: “Direct costs aren’t just about accuracy—they’re about fairness to your organization, your funders, and the federal government.” — Jasmine Markanday

Ep. 5 - Unlocking The Grant Allowable Costs

In this episode, Jasmine Markanday dives into one of the most fundamental yet confusing areas of federal grant compliance: understanding what costs are allowable under 2 CFR 200.403. From budgeting to closeout, Jasmine breaks down the criteria that determine whether an expense can be charged to your award, explains how consistency and documentation protect your organization, and shares practical examples to help you apply the rules with confidence. Whether you’re new to grants management or a seasoned professional, this episode provides clarity on the building blocks of compliant cost management. What You’ll Learn: * The seven key factors that make a cost allowable under 2 CFR 200.403. * Why “necessary and reasonable” is the foundation of cost allowability. * How to identify costs excluded by your grant’s terms and conditions. * The role of organizational policies and procedures in ensuring consistency. * Documentation best practices that safeguard you during audits. * Administrative closeout costs—what’s permitted and how to manage them. Key Takeaways: * Always ask: is this expense essential to achieving the project’s goals? * Costs must conform to award terms, exclusions, and organizational policies. * Consistency in financial treatment builds accountability and audit readiness. * “Document, document, document”—good records are your best defense. * Closeout costs are allowable, but must be liquidated before the final report. Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the audit to figure out cost allowability review award terms and set up compliance-friendly systems from the very beginning. Connect with Us: * Instagram: @markandayconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/markandayconsulting/] * LinkedIn: @markandayconsulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/markanday-consulting/] Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review and share with your grants team! Quote to Remember: “Planning, consistency, and documentation will be the key on your grants management journey.” — Jasmine Markanday