Office of Federal Assistance requests training, software and expanded grant‑matching capacity amid federal uncertainty

The Governor's Office of Federal Assistance outlined budget requests and program activity at a joint meeting of the Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, including funding for staff training, a statewide grants conference and software to streamline grant administration.

"I am Akia Sanders, director of the Office of Federal Assistance," Sanders said, describing the office as Nevada's single point of contact for federal grant applications subject to intergovernmental review. Sanders and Deputy Director Mayita Sanchez told lawmakers the office supports grant administration, interagency coordination and a grant‑matching program that aims to help Nevada draw down federal awards.

The office asked lawmakers to approve several enhancement units for budget account 1341. E330 would fund out‑of‑state travel and attendance at the National Grants Management Association conference in Washington, D.C., to keep staff current on federal rules and best practices. E332 would fund the "Silver State grama conference," a statewide training the office plans to host for grant professionals. Other requests included funds for marketing materials (E332), additional software (E333), expiration of American Rescue Plan Act grant funds (E499), and routine equipment replacement and a multifunction printer for Southern Nevada (E710, E721).

Mayita Sanchez described operational priorities: piloting site monitoring with the Governor's Office of Energy; providing technical assistance (the office is not an auditing body but coordinates with state internal audits); developing an interim data‑collection approach with the Office of Project Management (OPM); and centralizing notice‑of‑funding announcements in Nevada ePRO so state opportunities are easier to find.

On the Nevada Grant Matching Program (GMP), Sanchez said the program began with a starting balance “2,000,000” and receives $1,000,000 annually. She said the office has committed about "1,600,000" via letters of commitment and that actual expenditures are limited because the office often must wait for federal notices of grant award (NOGAs) before releasing state match funds. "We have an available balance of 369," Sanchez said (witness did not specify units). She told legislators the office is considering changes including a scoring rubric, a possible revolving fund to avoid reversion of unspent dollars at the end of a biennium, and automating application processes to reduce front‑end burdens for applicants.

Lawmakers asked about impacts if federal funding is cut. Sanders said the office is monitoring federal developments, working with agencies and Nevada’s congressional delegation, and seeking alternative sources if particular federal investments disappear. Sanders and Sanchez said the office has been building statewide capacity by joining the National Grants Capacity Building Coalition and by partnering with organizations such as Nevada Grant Lab, the Nevada Grant Lab partners, the Nevada Grant Lab and other stakeholders to share best practices.

Committee members pressed for detail on program timing. Sanchez said it takes about two to three weeks to process a request and issue a letter of commitment; the subsequent federal notice of award can take many months and in some cases up to a year, which delays state expenditures.

Public comment at the hearing included Miles Dixon, CEO of Nevada Grant Lab, who praised the office’s state plan and urged continued investment to help the state secure federal funds.

The committee closed the budget hearing on account 1341 after members asked follow‑up questions about possible increases to the matching account and the office's monitoring and outreach plans.

What happens next: the office will continue to request funding for the enhancement units listed, provide additional details if legislators ask for a study or cost estimates for increasing the matching pool, and will continue monitoring federal grant processes and working with state and federal partners.