Title:  NSF's Paperless Proposal and Award System - Next Steps
Date:   September 11, 2000





			National Science Foundation
			  Office of the Director
			   Arlington, VA 22230

Notice No. 126
September 11, 2000

			   IMPORTANT NOTICE TO
		  PRESIDENTS OF UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
		AND HEADS OF OTHER NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
			  GRANTEE ORGANIZATIONS

Subject:	NSF's Paperless Proposal and Award System -- Next Steps

In September 1998, NSF issued Important Notice 123, Working Toward a
Paperless Proposal and Award System. Important Notice 123 describes
NSF's vision for the future in electronic business and outlines the
schedule for implementation. As stipulated in this Notice, effective
October 1, 2000, ALL specified transactions1/ with NSF, (including
proposal submission) must be accomplished electronically via use of the
NSF FastLane system.2/ Proposals submitted after October 1 that respond
to standing or existing announcements or solicitations must comply with
the FastLane requirements, even if the document specified a paper
option. NSF's efforts in this area are consistent with recent
legislation that directs the entire Federal Government to move in the
direction of paperless proposal/grant processes, e.g., Public Law
106-107, Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of
1999.

When Important Notice 123 was first issued, we recognized that full
implementation of NSF FastLane by October 1, 2000 would be a challenging
goal. We would like to thank you for your patience, cooperation and
feedback over the past two years in helping us to achieve this goal. To
date, in Fiscal Year 2000, over 80% of proposals have been submitted
electronically via FastLane. NSF is committed to increasing our outreach
to those segments of our customer groups who are having, or might have
difficulty with electronic submission.

The results achieved over the past two years demonstrate that use of
electronic systems and on-line communications have enabled NSF to
respond more promptly and accurately to grantee requests, as well as
enable our grantee community to initiate and better manage their NSF
business transactions. NSF will continue to work with you and your
organizations to improve the conduct of electronic business interactions
with the Foundation.

The FY 2001 revision of the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) (NSF 01-2)
contains important guidance on the full implementation of Important
Notice 123. This new version of the GPG also includes instructions on
how to obtain an exception to the FastLane requirement for those who
experience difficulties or cannot submit electronically to NSF.

In addition to NSF FastLane efforts, NSF remains an active and
collaborating partner on the interagency development of a "common face"
for Federal grants known as the "Federal Commons." The "Federal Commons"
is an Internet-based point of entry for grant proposers and recipients
to conduct business electronically with Federal grant making agencies.
Steps are already underway to ensure that FastLane will integrate
transparently with this "common face" approach.


				Rita R. Colwell
				Director


____________________

1/There are a limited number of transactions, including some postaward
administrative requirements and supplemental funding requests that, at
this time, cannot be transmitted via FastLane.  Consult the Grant
Proposal Guide for further details.

2/For those organizations that have not yet used FastLane, we strongly
encourage you to visit the FastLane Web site at
https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov for supplemental information and guidance on
the use of the FastLane system.