HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12 US Ignite Grant AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 10/1/2018
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
Staff Contact/Dept.: Vahana Keene/CMO
Staff Phone No: 541.726.3671
Estimated Time: Consent Calendar
S P R I N G F I E L D
C I T Y C O U N C I L
Council Goals: Provide Financially
Responsible and
Innovative Government
Services
ITEM TITLE: AUTHORIZE CITY MANGAER TO ACCEPT US IGNITE GRANT AWARD
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Authorize the City Manager to continue acting as fiscal agent of the US Ignite Grant,
including signing of current and upcoming US Ignite grant task orders, and receipt and
dispersing of US Ignite grant funds in an amount up to $300,000.
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
US Ignite, a technology industry nonprofit organization specializing in next generation
applications and services, is funding the City of Springfield to act as the regional fiscal
agent for these grants. These grants, and agreed upon work, will serve as a catalyst for
the creation and support of a vibrant and healthy technology sector through retention,
expansion and growth partnerships with existing and prospective industry. This grant is
anticipated to run through 8/31/19 and has recently received additional funds for
increased investment. This authorization will allow the City Manager to accept and
disperse total funds in an amount up to $300,000 to awarded sub-recipients.
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1 – US Ignite Executed MSA
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The City of Springfield, on behalf of the Springfield-Eugene region, was awarded grant
funds from US Ignite for being a Smart Gigabit Community and now holds the role of
fiscal agent to the grant, anticipated to continue through the recently extended timeline
of 8/31/19. This award originated with the United States National Science Foundation
(NSF) entitled Sustainable Ecosystem of Smart Applications (SESA) and is designated
as CNS-1531046 (the award). Grants are submitted directly to US Ignite with awardees
and the fiscal agent receiving notification from US Ignite simultaneously. With this
timeline extension, additional funds have also been awarded and may continue to be
awarded in future funding cycles. This authorization will allow the City Manager to
accept and disperse these funds to awarded recipients.
To date, the City of Springfield has dispersed $95,000 funds through the US Ignite
Grant to selected and approved grantees/entrepreneurs. Each grantee is required to
furnish a current W9 and certificate of liability insurance. Contracts are then drafted and
once signed; grantees become independent contractors of the City of Springfield,
including requirements for reporting. The City of Springfield acts as the fiscal agent,
receiving requests for reimbursement from grantees and once approved and paid,
requesting corresponding reimbursement from US Ignite.
Since the NSF has extended the grant timeline to US Ignite through August of 2019, we
have received additional grants to manage, anticipate future awards as well. Approval is
requested to grant the City Manager signing authority for up to $300,000 in US Ignite
grant awards, so the City of Springfield may continue acting as fiscal agent, reflecting a
strong and supportive partnership within the local Smart Gigabit Community.
While we are acting as the fiscal agent for these grants, there is no direct financial
impact.
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