ESSER/GEER Extra, Volume 71
This week's ESSER/GEER Extra focuses on 2023 state procurement thresholds, requirements for procuring and selecting contractors and suppliers, EANS reporting, ESSER reporting, 2020-21 ESSER Reporting Error Identification, and the annual Pennsylvania Association of Federal Program Coordinators Conference. All editions of ESSER/GEER Extra are archived on PDE's website.
2023 State Procurement Thresholds
State procurement thresholds were updated for 2023. The 2023 state threshold for written/telephonic bids is $12,200, while the 2023 state threshold for public bids and separate bids is $22,500.
The relationship between these state procurement thresholds and federal procurement rules for the use of ESSER funds is important. Under Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), non-federal entities must comply with the more restrictive of federal, state, and entity level requirements for the acquisition of goods and services when using federal funds. The federal procurement thresholds are more stringent than state thresholds for micro-purchases ($10,000) and for small purchases ($10,000); however, the state threshold of $22,500 for the use of sealed bids is more stringent. Access a table outlining procurement thresholds for purchases with federal funds.
Small and Minority Businesses, Women's Business Enterprises, and Labor Surplus Area Firms
Under federal Uniform Guidance, when procuring and selecting contractors or suppliers, school entities must take all necessary affirmative steps to ensure that minority businesses, women's business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible. Read the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR §200.321, for more information on affirmative steps to be taken. Note that these steps must be a part of your entity's documented procurement procedures and consistent with standards of the Uniform Guidance. Failure to follow federal procurement requirements for ESSER funds may put school entities at risk of not receiving their full reimbursement or having obligated funds recouped. See the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR §200.339.
Procurement of Curriculum with ESSER Funds
School entities must follow requirements under Uniform Guidance, including 2 CFR §200.320, when purchasing curricula with federal funds. For the limited circumstances when noncompetitive procurement can be awarded, see 2 CFR §200.320(c).
EANS Reporting Opens Soon
EANS reporting will open March 15, 2023. Each school entity that received EANS funds must submit a report via PIMS to PDE no later than April 26, 2023.
ESSER Reporting Closed
PDE thanks all school entities that submitted their 2021-22 ESSER Funding Status Reports by the due date of March 9, 2023. School entities that have not submitted their reports are directed to do so as soon as possible following directions on the PDE ESSER Reporting web page. Note that delayed or non-submission of required reporting will result in a higher-risk evaluation in the next monitoring cycle.
2020-21 ESSER Reporting Error Identification
School entities that have identified errors in their previously submitted 2020-21 ESSER Funding Status Report are directed to contact the PDE Data Quality Office staff at RA-DDQDatacollection@pa.gov.
Annual PAFPC Conference Registration
The Pennsylvania Association of Federal Program Coordinators (PAFPC) Conference will take place at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Pocono Manor, PA from April 16 through 19, 2023. Registration and rooms are filling quickly. Individuals looking to attend the conference are advised to register and book lodging as soon as possible. For questions regarding the conference contact the PAFPC Executive Director, Janice Joyce at pafpcexecdir@gmail.com.
PDE Office Hours
PDE ESSER/GEER office hours will be held every Monday from 1-2 PM and every Thursday from 9-10 AM. Join the office hours.
Contact Us
If you have an ESSER funds related question or comment, please send your inquiry to ra-edarpesser@pa.gov.
If you have an ESSER monitoring related question or comment, please send your inquiry to ra-edessermonitor@pa.gov.
If you have a GEER related question or comment, please send your inquiry to ra-edarpesser@pa.gov.