Section 541.11.5. GEMS competitive grants review system.

The purpose of the GEMS competitive grants review system is to allow state government coordination and review of all competitive grant applications in order to avoid duplication and conflicts.

       11.5(1) Agency competitive grants review coordinator. Agency grants coordinators shall:

        a.           Serve as the agency’s competitive grants review coordinator and as liaison between the agency and the GEMS coordinator for the GEMS competitive grants review process.

        b.           Assist in the evaluation of the GEMS competitive grants review process.

       11.5(2) GEMS competitive grants review process. The following is a generalized summary of the GEMS competitive grants review process that shall be followed by state agencies with respect to review of applications for competitive grants.

        a.           Step 1—Intent to apply.

       (1)             The applicant agency shall complete the intent to apply section of the Iowa grants database when the applicant agency identifies a competitive grant opportunity.

       (2)             Upon submission of the intent to apply, a notification will be sent to all state agencies.

       (3)             Any state agency, or the GEMS coordinator, may request a GEMS competitive grants review meeting to explore the project in greater detail, identify opportunities for collaboration and resolve possible conflicts.

       (4)             The applicant agency and the GEMS office must receive the agency request for a GEMS competitive grants review meeting within two working days of submission of the intent to apply notification.

       (5)             The GEMS review meeting shall be held within 12 working days of submission of the intent to apply notification. The applicant agency shall work with the GEMS office to schedule the meeting.

        b.           Step 2—Application submitted.

       (1)             Upon completion of the GEMS competitive grants review process, but prior to submission of the grant application, the applicant agency shall enter the grant application information in the application section of the Iowa grants database.

       (2)             When all required fields are completed, the Iowa grants database will automatically generate written confirmation of completion of the GEMS competitive grants review to the applicant agency.

       (3)             The applicant agency shall keep a file copy of the confirmation. The applicant agency shall include the written confirmation with all federal competitive grant applications pursuant to Federal Executive Order 12372.

        c.           Step 3—Status.

       (1)             The applicant agency shall enter the grant’s status in the Iowa competitive grants database upon withdrawal of the application or notification of the receipt or denial of the grant.

       (2)             The GEMS office and the legislative services agency shall be notified of the final grant status.