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Part III: Post Award Requirements |
Chapter 12: Retention and Access Requirements for Records |
HIGHLIGHTS OF CHAPTER:
RETENTION OF RECORDS In accordance with the requirements set forth in 28 CFR Parts 66 and 70, all financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the award shall be retained by each organization for AT LEAST THREE YEARS following the closure of their audit report covering the entire award period. Retention is required for purposes of Federal examination and audit. Records may be retained in an automated format. State or local governments may impose record retention and maintenance requirements in addition to those prescribed.
Recipients of funds are expected to see that records of different Federal fiscal periods are separately identified and maintained so that information desired may be readily located. Recipients are also obligated to protect records adequately against fire or other damage. When records are stored away from the recipient's principal office, a written index of the location of records stored should be on hand and ready access should be assured. ACCESS TO RECORDSThe awarding agency includes the funding agency, the Federal agency, the DOJ Office of the Inspector General, the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their authorized representatives, who shall have the right of access to any pertinent books, documents, papers, or other records of recipients which are pertinent to the award, in order to make audits, examinations, excerpts, and transcripts. The right of access must not be limited to the required retention period but shall last as long as the records are retained. However, only under extraordinary and rare circumstances would such access include review of the true name of confidential informants or victims of crime. When access to the true name of confidential informants or victims of crime is necessary, appropriate steps to protect this sensitive information must and will be taken by the recipient and awarding agency. Any such access, other than under a court order or subpoena pursuant to a bona fide confidential investigation, must be approved by both the OJP program office head and the Comptroller. |
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