U.S. Department of Education Indirect Cost Determination Guidance for State and Local Government Agencies.

This guide provides new direction in financial management and oversight practices for accounting and charging administrative costs as they relate to programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The document is divided into six sections. Section 1, which presents general information, offers details on definitions; indirect-cost rates; the determination of indirect-cost rates; the submission of indirect-cost rate proposals; the application of indirect-cost rates; requirements for reimbursement, approval, negotiation agreements, and disputes; indirect-cost limitations; and the retention of records. The second section offers guidelines for preparing indirect-cost-rate proposals and includes basic steps, the indirect-cost rate allocation bases, the indirect-cost-rate proposal documentation, and certificate of indirect costs. Section 3 provides five examples of indirect-cost-rate proposals, using such methods as the simplified (single rate) method, and section 4 examines state education agency responsibilities, such as the policy for subrecipients other than state or local units of government. Section 5 offers guidance on various issues, such as common indirect-cost problems, answers to common review questions, time distribution, and administration and indirect-cost claims. The last section answers some frequently asked questions. Eight appendices include: OMB Circular A-87; U.S. Dept. of Education Cognizant Agency Assignments under OMB Circular A-87; Education Dept. General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR Parts 75 and 76; a listing of Restricted Rate Programs (New); an indirect cost rate agreement; a sample methodology for a local education agency; a sample local education agency proposal format; and State Education Agency Delegation for Local Education Agency Indirect Cost Rates. (RJM)