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Technology Initiative Grants (TIGs) are subject to the same rules and regulations as other grants from ��è��Ƶ. For guidance on the operation and responsibilities of ��è��Ƶ and its grantees, review the Rules & Regulations page on the ��è��Ƶ website. TIG awards are also subject to TIG Terms and Conditions or Grant Assurances. Terms and Conditions and Grant Assurances from past TIG cycles and additional guidance are available below.

TIG/PBIF Compliance Webinar

The ��è��Ƶ webinar below covers key compliance issues for both the Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) and TIG programs. This webinar reviews key compliance requirements concerning these two special grant programs. Content is targeted to compliance and financial staff from grantees in addition to project managers and executive directors.

Special Grant Terms & Conditions

Review the terms and conditions for all ��è��Ƶ Special Grant Programs. Please contact TIG staff if you require more information.

Special Grant Terms and Conditions

Conflicts of Interest and Whistleblower Protection

 As of September 2016, TIG grants no longer have separate conflicts of interest policy requirements, but are subject to the grantee’s written policies regarding conflicts-of-interest and providing whistleblower protections.

Program Integrity Requirement

TIG recipients, like all ��è��Ƶ grantees, must comply with the ��è��Ƶ program integrity requirement, , that grantees maintain objective integrity and independence from any organization that engages in ��è��Ƶ-restricted activities. Recipients will structure, monitor, and maintain any TIG‐funded collaborations with non-��è��Ƶ legal services providers consistent with maintaining overall program integrity. Additionally, recipients will have a representative attend a mandatory ��è��Ƶ webinar on the program integrity requirements, if they are notified by ��è��Ƶ that their organization must attend based on the nature of its TIG activities.

Technology Standards

Current TIG Grant Assurances require that recipients comply with technology standards developed by the legal aid community.

• The National Subject Matter Index (NSMI) provides a centralized, comprehensive taxonomy of topics for the legal aid community by which documents and data can be indexed. The NSMI makes it possible to share documents across web sites (because each site uses the same vocabulary) and to link between case management systems and statewide web sites based on topics defined by the index. Current TIG Grant Assurances require that products utilizing indexing systems, such as websites, be developed in compliance with the NSMI. The NSMI (current as of September 2011) can be .
  Additionally, allows users to access the most recent version of the NSMI in multiple formats.
• Naming Conventions - TIG funded products, including document assembly products, must comply with the naming convention standards under development in the legal aid community. These naming conventions are outlined in the . Products should utilize these naming conventions in order to facilitate effective data sharing and product replication across the legal aid community. However, if complying with these conventions would significantly impede successful completion of a project, TIG recipients may contact their Grant Administrator and seek a waiver of this requirement.

Third-Party Contracting of TIG Funds

Third-party contracts involving ��è��Ƶ TIG funds raise several compliance considerations. Grantees should review the following resources before contracting:

• For contracts for services after December 31, 2017, grantees should review the revised ��è��Ƶ regulation covering cost standards and procedures at  and . There is a recorded informational webinar regarding these revisions to the Cost Standards, Purchasing, and Property Management. In particular, TIG recipients should review the prior approval requirement in 1630 for contracts for services that expend over $25,000 in ��è��Ƶ funds. See also the . 
• For 2017 TIG awards, review the Procurement section of the , along with  and ; and . For 2015-2016 TIG awards, the sets forth additional requirements when grantees enter into contracts for goods or services. A similar grant assurance covers 2012 - 2014 grants, though it requires a competitive selection process for contracts that exceed $3,500 instead of the $5,000 threshold. All procurement transactions must be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practicable, open and free competition. All third‐party expenditures, regardless of cost, must be appropriately documented and are subject to . 
• provides guidance on requirements for third-party contracts made by grantees with ��è��Ƶ TIG funds. The guidance set forth in this document does not represent a change in ��è��Ƶ policy, but rather is intended to serve as a reminder to ��è��Ƶ recipients about existing requirements and to provide additional examples of how these requirements are likely to apply in the TIG context.
• The discusses rules respecting subgrants and transfers in the context of TIG funded statewide-website activities. This document sets forth some examples and guidance regarding whether or not third-party contractor activities that might arise on a website project could qualify as subgrants.
• , which replaces the Property Acquisition and Management Manual (PAMM), governs the use of ��è��Ƶ funds, including TIG funds, for purchasing, leasing, using, and disposing of ��è��Ƶ-funded personal property and real estate and using ��è��Ƶ funds to contract for services. Grantees that lease or purchase equipment or property, or contract for services over $25,000 must obtain the required approval in advance of the purchase or lease. TIG applicants may include the approval request and supporting documentation in their grant application.
• Issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) helps ensure that contracts are awarded competitively and that grantees obtain best value for the services and/or equipment they require. A can be utilized by programs seeking vendors for document assembly initiatives. Sections of this document may also apply to a broader range of technology projects.

TIG Termination Policies and Procedures

TIGs can be terminated for four reasons and pursuant to the procedures discussed in this section:

1. By default if the recipient fails to provide required documentation on time, unless ��è��Ƶ, in its sole discretion, provides a written waiver or extension;
2. By modification or withdrawal when the recipient and ��è��Ƶ agree that the TIG should end early by mutual consent;
3. By termination based on ��è��Ƶ concerns about recipient performance; or
4. By default if the recipient ceases to be an ��è��Ƶ grantee.

In situations (1) and (4) the grant automatically terminates and close-out procedures will be initiated for the grant, including the consideration of what funds, if any, will be provided for any milestones of the grant completed prior to the termination of the grant and what funds, if any, will be returned to ��è��Ƶ. When a grant is ended for any of these reasons, the recipient agrees that it will:

• Work with ��è��Ƶ staff to close out the grant
• Provide a final accounting of grant funds,
• Provide a lessons learned report detailing why the grant failed, and
• Return any unspent funds.

Termination Procedures

1. For Grantees That Fail to Provide Required Documentation On Time: When a grantee is overdue for a reporting deadline by more than 30 days, ��è��Ƶ will issue to the grantee a 60-day termination notice. This notice informs the grantee that the grant is suspended and will automatically terminate if the grantee does not obtain an extension to the reporting period or file the required report within the next 30 days. If the grantee does not respond within 30 days then ��è��Ƶ will provide a 30-day termination notice. If the grantee fails to respond to the second notice within 30 days of that notice then the grant will automatically terminate. If the grantee appeals the termination and it is denied, then the grant is terminated. A denial of an appeal that results in a termination may be appealed to the next higher ��è��Ƶ official.

The following timeline outlines the steps in the termination process for grantees that fail to provide timely documentation:

1. 60-day Termination Notice sent when reporting is 30 days past deadline and the grant is suspended.
2. 30-day Termination Notice sent at 60 days past deadline (with approval of the OPP Director).
3. Termination Notice sent by the OPP Director if deficiencies not cured within 30 days of the 30-day Termination Notice. This notice informs the grantee of its right to appeal this decision within 15 days by filing with ��è��Ƶ a Notice of Appeal.
4. The grantee has an additional 15 days to submit a written response or request a meeting with ��è��Ƶ President.
5. ��è��Ƶ President issues final decision on whether or not to terminate.

2. For Grants Ending by Mutual Consent: At any time during a TIG grant term ��è��Ƶ and the grantee can agree to terminate the grant by mutual consent. Close-out procedures will be initiated for the grant based on the terms of the termination agreement. Such agreement will be negotiated with the Grant Administrator and subject to approval by the ��è��Ƶ OPP Director and President.

3. For Grants Terminated Based on Performance: ��è��Ƶ may terminate the grant based on concerns regarding grantee performance. ��è��Ƶ will provide the grantee with at least 30 days advance written notice of the proposed termination along with the basis for that decision. Notices of termination will be issued by the OPP Director. The grantee may submit a written response to the notice and request a meeting with the OPP Director to discuss the proposed termination. The OPP Director will issue a final decision whether or not to terminate the TIG. That decision may be appealed to the ��è��Ƶ President. The grantee has 15 days to file a notice of appeal and an additional 15 days to submit a written response. The grantee may also request a meeting with the President. The President’s decision will be in writing and is final.

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