Questions are to be submitted to the appropriate regional office.

Questions regarding this guidance should be directed to Grant Specialist at DOL-ETA-DWG@dol.gov with QUEST DWG in the subject line.

For questions on grant requirements, contact the applicable ETA regional office. For financial management questions, contact the applicable ETA regional office, Grants Management Specialist Rahel Bizuayene at Bizuayene.Rahel@dol.gov or National Grant Officer Serena Boyd at Boyd.Serena@dol.gov. 

For further information, please contact Sherril Hurd, (hurd.sherril@dol.gov), Tom Comer (comer.thomas@dol.gov) or Betsey Rioja (rioja.betsey@dol.gov).

Reference. 41 CFR, Section 1-15.711-16; 20 CFR, 629.37 (a); 20 CFR, 629.37 (d); 5 U.S.C. Section 504. Background. There have been several inquiries regarding the circumstances under which legal fees incurred by a grantee are allowable grant costs. The following policy-clarification is issued pursuant to the cost principles cited in the Federal Procurement Regulations at 41 CFR, Section 1-15.711-16 and the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) regulation at 29 CFR, Section 629.37 (d) which state: "The cost of legal expenses required in the administration of grant programs is allowable. ***Legal expenses for the prosecution of claims against the Federal Government are unallowable." Legal expenses may be incurred for the limited purpose of resolving audits or any other issues which, if not resolved in the grantee's favor, will result in the imposition of appealable sanctions (e.g., the gathering and presentation of information to allow the Government's authorized officials) to evaluate a grantee's position, etc.). on the other hand, costs incurred,in the furtherance of an appeal (e.g., discovery, preparation of motions and briefs, etc.) after the grant officer's final determination are not recoverable. Additionally, the JTPA regulations, 20 CFR, Section 629.37(a), state that to be allowable, a legal fee in addition to being a settlement cost, must be 'necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient administration of the program....' Action Required. Please review the above information and take them under advisement before incurring legal costs. Inquiries. Any questions as you may have should be addressed to your DINAP Federal Representative.

Direct questions regarding this guidance to the appropriate ETA regional office.

Please direct inquiries to the appropriate Regional Office.

For further information about this announcement, please contact Rahel Bizuayene, Grants Management Specialist, OGM, at (202) 693-3438. Applicants should e-mail all technical questions to bizuayene.rahel@dol.gov and must specifically reference ETA-TEGL-NO-14-21 and their question(s), and include a contact name, fax, and phone number with the inquiry. This TEGL is available at https://www.grants.gov.

Please direct inquiries to the appropriate Regional Office.