Policies, procedures and implementing guidance may be developed in response to administrative initiatives published by the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, General Services Administration and other Federal agencies involved in the oversight of grants and contracts activities. These initiatives, as well as proposed and newly enacted legislation, regulations and policies relating to grants and contracts activities are evaluated for possible implications and impact on the NSF grants and contracts activities, and the NSF grantee and contractor communities.

Additional responsibilities of the Policy Office include: maintaining various manuals and publications which provide guidance for proposal processing and award administration. This includes the Proposal and Award Manual, Grant Proposal Guide (GPG), Grant Policy Manual (GPM), Grant and Agreement Conditions, standard terms and conditions (e.g., GC-1 and FDP), and the Federal Demonstration Partnership. The majority of these documents, other grants-related publications and information regarding the NSF Regional Grant Conferences and Other Outreach Opportunities, are available electronically on the NSF Home Page.

The Policy Office also provides guidance to senior grant and agreement specialists, contract specialists, NSF senior program and administrative officials, and the grantee community on policy questions involving complex issues, and represents the Foundation at various outreach activities, such as NSF Regional Grants Conferences.

Questions or comments regarding specific acquisitions should be directed to the Contracts Branch, (CPO) or the Procurement Section of DAS, as appropriate.

General questions or comments regarding award or acquisition policy not related to a specific award may be sent via electronic mail to the Policy Office at policy@nsf.gov.