Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal have announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands is implementing the eCivis grants management digital software, which streamlines and reduces the red tape traditionally associated with the grants’ management process.
The eCivis has fully automated the grants management process through the full life cycle of a grant – from solicitation to expenditure – and it will be used by every government agency and department, eventually including the semi-autonomous entities.
Departments and agencies will use the grant management system to search and apply for grants and report on grants, be able to manage sub-recipients through a portal, and review grant proposals for solicitations.
The system enables state data collection; analysis and reporting on successful applications; grant dollars received; missed funding opportunities; and compiling data on awards, sub-recipients and grant matching.
The system went live on March 9, which was the first day of training for more than 100 employees from every agency and department and is being managed by the Office of Management and Budget’s Federal Grants Management Division. Employees were trained on the proper use and navigation of the system by eCivis staff.
The program also provides cost allocation software and other professional services associated with grants management. Collaboratively, the eCivis system helps ensure a more efficient use of all grants awarded to the Virgin Islands, decrease the time spent administering the grants, and allow for more time servicing residents of the territory.
The eCivis grants management system is an integral part of Gov. Bryan’s management agenda, which calls for the increased use of technology to make the V.I. government more efficient and cost-effective, and to improve customer service.
Implementation of eCivis also establishes a system that standardizes data collection and reporting processes across the entire government and promotes transparency by producing more timely and accurate reporting and compliance with federal grant requirements, such as the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
Governor Bryan pledges to continue his efforts at making the Government of the Virgin Islands more efficient and accountable through innovative solutions to address age-old problems across all agencies and departments.