Agencies lag behind in developing uniform grant application and reporting procedures for federal grants. In May 2001 a plan to simplify and streamline the federal grants process was released to the public and submitted to Congress. The plan, drafted by the Chief Financial Officers’ Grants Management Committee, begins implementation of the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999. The Office of Management and Budget and Dept. of Health and Human Services led the team of 26 federal agencies that is responsible for over $325 billion in federal grant funds. They examined pre-award, post-award, audit oversight and electronic processing issues. A draft plan was released in January, and the final plan reflects public comment that encouraged greater clarity in information released by agencies, more time for preparing and submitting applications and greater cross-agency uniformity in post-award reporting. The public comments also urged increased use of electronic technology was also encouraged, but differences in access to technology, especially for Native American tribes and rural communities, should be recognized. The plan sets forth a series of action steps, scheduled to begin in September 2001. At that time the agencies were to complete a baseline examination of application requirements and assess the reasons for any differences among agencies or programs, especially that serve similar purposes. A similar examination of reporting forms was also to be completed, and payment systems examined. The project has developed Federal Commons [http://www.cfda.gov/federalcommons/ ], a central federal website for grant information. It links to information on specific grant areas, such as education and housing, the payment management system and the federal audit clearinghouse. In addition, the Chief Financial Officers Council has created a Grants Management Committee to coordinate implementation activities, and provide information on the web at http://www.financenet.gov/financenet/fed/cfo/grants/grants.htm . The May 2001 plan called for publication of a pamphlet on audit procedures, completion of a baseline examination of application requirements, an assessment of the reasons for differences among agencies or programs, especially those that serve similar purposes. A similar examination of reporting forms and payment systems was also undertaken. However, at the beginning of October officials said the task is more complicated than anticipated, and the entire timeline will probably run about 90 days behind. The agencies’ need to assist with responses to the September 11 attacks also slowed the process.