Genevieve K. Croft wrote this CRS InFocus two-pager (1 May 2020) about the relocation of two USDA agencies that few are likely to recognize - NIFA and ERS: 'Relocation of the USDA Research Agencies: NIFA and ERS'.
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Download CRS_InFocus_USDA_Relocation_NIFA_ERS_1May2020
Introduction
In October 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) relocated most staff positions at two of its research agencies—the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Economic Research Service (ERS)—from their long-term location in Washington, DC, to Kansas City, MO. About 75% of affected employees declined to relocate and left the agencies. While ERS and NIFA have prioritized hiring new staff, some agency activities have been reduced or delayed. The USDA budget request for FY2021 proposes an ERS staff level that is 41% lower than in FY2018—before the relocation.Agency Background
NIFA is USDA’s principal extramural research agency (awarding grants to non-federal entities). It administers approximately $1.5 billion in federal funding annually. NIFA supports research, education, and extension projects conducted in partnership with land-grant colleges and universities, other institutions and organizations, and individuals. NIFA awards include capacity (formula-based) and competitive grants. ERS is a USDA intramural research agency (employing federal researchers). It has an annual budget of about $85 million. ERS conducts economic and statistical analyses on topics of interest to Congress, agricultural producers, and stakeholders. Topics include agricultural commodities, trade, marketing, food price forecasting, farm and rural income, food safety, and nutrition.
Cutting to the chase...
Mission Delivery
Since the relocation, NIFA grantees have experienced delays in receiving awarded funds, which are typically released one to two months after the start of the next fiscal year. A notice to grantees of March 12, 2020, advises that FY2019 capacity and competitive awards may be released by the end of March 2020 and April 2020, respectively (three to five months later than is typical). This notice stated that NIFA did not yet have a timeline for issuing FY2020 awards.Media reports citing USDA internal memos suggest that ERS has delayed or discontinued numerous reports. Senator Debbie Stabenow sent a letter to USDA in September 2019 raising concerns about ERS report delays and discontinuations and USDA’s transparency regarding impacts of the relocation on mission delivery. Congressional Interest Congress may be interested in how NIFA and ERS are meeting their responsibilities with reduced workforces, and in the future, as new staff are hired. In addition to the GAO and OIG reviews, Congress may consider exercising oversight of USDA implementation of the relocations and any benefits as anticipated by the CBA.
Congressional Response
Congress may be interested in how NIFA and ERS are meeting their responsibilities with reduced workforces, and in the future, as new staff are hired. In addition to the GAO and OIG reviews, Congress may consider exercising oversight of USDA implementation of the relocations and any benefits as anticipated by the CBA.
Go figure...doesn't sound too good.
Enjoy.
“One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop.” - G. Weilacher
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