Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find answers to common questions about the Grants QSMO, its Marketplace, and ways to engage—whether you're a federal agency, grant recipient, shared service provider, or vendor. Browse by topic for quick information on shared solutions, governance, acquisition support, and collaboration.
The Grants QSMO, designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), helps federal agencies manage and invest in grants technology. Unlike offices that award and manage grants, it focuses on validating and supporting shared IT solutions to streamline grants management, reduce duplication, and enhance efficiency across the government.
Although part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Grants QSMO serves all federal agencies. Any federal agency looking to modernize its grants IT and align with broader goals can access QSMO resources, including the Marketplace of validated solutions.
The Grants QSMO helps implement the Grants Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency (GREAT) Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 116—103) by validating solutions that align with government-wide data standards. It collaborates with the Grants Data Standards Lead and contributes to federal efforts to ensure consistent, transparent, and interoperable data across agencies.
The Marketplace offers a variety of federal shared services and commercial solutions, including:
- Software platforms and resources for managing the grants lifecycle
- Modular services for intake, workflow, monitoring, and reporting
- Full lifecycle systems designed for pre-award, award, post-award, and closeout phases
All solutions align with the Federal Integrated Business Framework (FIBF) for Grants Management (GRM) functional areas.
Agencies should use the Marketplace as a starting point for grants IT investments. It helps identify validated, federally aligned solutions while minimizing the risk of duplicative development. Agencies are encouraged to work with the Grants QSMO for tailored guidance and to explore investment planning resources.
If the available Marketplace options don’t fit an agency’s unique needs, the Grants QSMO encourages direct engagement to explore all possible solutions. In the unlikely event that there are no suitable options found, agencies may initiate an Investment Action Plan (IAP) to consider alternative investments while ensuring alignment with government-wide standards.
No. The Grants QSMO does not operate its own grants management system. Instead, it curates and validates a range of existing commercial and federal shared service offerings, giving agencies the ability to choose solutions that best meet their operational and policy needs.
The Grants QSMO rigorously evaluates solutions based on FIBF capabilities, technical standards, and security requirements. The QSMO holds regular meetings with providers and vendors to stay informed on federal policies, technology advancements, and agency needs, ensuring solutions remain applicable and up to date.
The Grants QSMO offers strategic and technical guidance to help agencies evaluate grants solutions, develop investment plans when necessary, and align with federal shared services goals. The Marketplace is built on principles of transparency, user-centered design, data-driven decision-making, interoperability, and federal IT security. Its governance framework follows OMB Memorandum M-19-16 and involves ongoing coordination with stakeholders across the federal grants ecosystem.
The Grants QSMO collaborates with agencies and recipients through stakeholder groups, working groups, direct outreach, and information-sharing sessions. These efforts help refine offerings, address agency needs, and ensure solutions align with agency requirements and federal priorities.
The Grants QSMO helps agencies reduce administrative burden for grant applicants and recipients by promoting shared services and validated resources. Its focus on user-centered design, standardized data, and interoperable systems creates a more transparent and efficient grants process across the federal landscape.
You can reach the Grants QSMO at GrantsQSMO@hhs.gov. The QSMO gathers feedback through outreach, surveys, and meetings. Stay connected by subscribing to the Grants QSMO newsletter for updates, resources, and engagement opportunities.
