Indirect Cost Rate Utilization Survey Due Sept. 15, 2023

Indirect Cost Rate Utilization Survey Due Sept. 15, 2023

August 24, 2023 | Financial Management, Grants Management

This must be the year for unexpected surveys from TEA! In July, CSS told you about the Survey on Reporting Real Property, and on Aug 22, TEA Grant Compliance announced another new survey requirement called the “Indirect Cost Utilization Survey.” All LEAs that were issued indirect cost rates (IDCR) in the last 3 years (2020, 2021, and 2022) are required to complete it by Sept. 15, 2023. The survey will ask if you claimed indirect costs or not, and if so, on what grant programs. Even if you received an IDCR but did not use (draw down) any indirect costs, you must complete the survey. CSS has viewed the survey, so read on if this applies to you!

What is an indirect cost rate?

TEA issues restricted (for grants that supplement-not-supplant applies to) and unrestricted (non-SNS grants) percentages annually if LEAs request them. Then LEAs may use the rates to draw down funds from the grant for the indirect costs of managing the grant. It is kind of like paying yourself back for a small percentage of the work for the grant that the grant isn’t paying for.

What do I need to do?

  1. Determine if you received an IDCR in the school years 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22. A notification letter is posted in GFFC annually.
  2. Determine if you actually claimed any indirect costs for reimbursement.
  3. Determine which of the following programs indirect costs were claimed:
    • TEA Grants
    • School Health and Related Services (SHARS)
    • National School Lunch Program
    • Other (you will type in)
  1. The LEA Superintendent or Chief Operating Officer will need to sign and submit the survey.

Where is the survey located?

Click here to access the survey in qualtrics. Indirect Cost Utilization Survey Due Sept 15, 2023

Click here for more information on the TEA website. Indirect Cost Rate TEA Website

You can count on CSS to keep you up to date on last -minute requirements! Our federal team monitors TEA communication to keep our clients up to date!

A copy of the survey is attached here for you to see the questions, but there is no paper submission.

Please email the Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting Division at compliance@tea.texas.gov  with any questions regarding the Indirect Cost Rate Utilization Survey.

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