TITLE 20 - EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS

CHAPTER III - SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

PART 435 - UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, HOSPITALS, OTHER NON - PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

subpart b - PRE - AWARD REQUIREMENTS

435.11 - Pre - award policies.

  (a) Use of grants and cooperative agreements, and contracts. In each instance, SSA will decide on the appropriate award instrument (i.e., grant, cooperative agreement, or contract). The Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act (31 U.S.C. 630108) governs the use of grants, cooperative agreements and contracts.

  (1) Grants and cooperative agreements. A grant or cooperative agreement will be used only when the principal purpose of a transaction is to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute. The statutory criterion for choosing between grants and cooperative agreements is that for the latter, substantial involvement is expected between the executive agency and the State, local government, or other recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated in the agreement.

  (2) Contracts. Contracts will be used when the principal purpose is acquisition of property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government.

  (b) Public notice and priority setting. SSA will notify the public of its intended funding priorities for discretionary grant programs, unless funding priorities are established by Federal statute.