Assistance Agreement Payments

As recipients begin work, they will utilize EPA funding to complete these activities over the lifespan of the assistance agreement. To access funds recipients must follow specific processes, regulations, and guidance to ensure overall compliance.  On this page: 

• Assistance Agreement Payment Process
• Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP)
• Applicable Guidance and Resources

Assistance Agreement Payment Process:

All recipients will go through the process below to begin accessing funds:

• Award signed by EPA award official
• Finance office notified that funding is ready to be obligated to the award
• Funds loaded in ASAP

Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP):

EPA requires recipients to participate in the Automated Standard Application for Payments. ASAP is a completely electronic system that federal agencies use to quickly and securely transfer money to recipients. Federal agencies enroll recipient organizations, authorize funds, and manage their accounts. Recipient organizations then request payments from these pre-authorized accounts. Recipient organizations include state and local governments, educational and financial institutions, vendors and contractors, profit and non-profit entities, and Indian tribal organizations. ASAP is free for both federal agencies and recipient organizations. The enrollment process follows the steps below.  

• Enrollment is initiated by the Federal Agency's Enrollment Initiator
• Recipient Organization Point of Contact verifies organizational data and adds Head of Organization, Administrative Official, and Financial Official.
• Authorizing Official assigns Payment Requestors
• Financial Official adds banking Information
• Head of Organization approves officials
• Federal Agency's Enrollment Initiator is notified of enrollment completion
• ASAP account established by the Federal Agency and funds are loaded and certified

If applicants or recipients cannot meet the ASAP requirement, they may request an exemption following the guidance in RAIN-2018-G06-R.

Applicable Guidance and Resources:

• RAIN-2018-G06-R, EPA Requirements for Enrolling in Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) System and Disbursing EPA Funds Within 5 Business Days of Drawdown
• Information on Receiving Grant/Cooperative Agreement Payments
• EPA Terms and Conditions
• 2 CFR 200.305, Federal Payment
• Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP)
• SF-425 Federal Financial Report (FFR)