Non-Infrastructure GPRA Data Collection FAQs for Grantees

Introduction: Understanding GPRA Reporting

The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requires federal agencies to collect, analyze, and report on their performance. Additionally, given the introduction of the Evidence Based Policymaking Act, there is increasing demand and more requirements for federal agencies to produce evidence-based reports and policies. To meet these requirements, EDA engages with grantees to gather essential data related to the impact of all our awards. The questionnaires referenced in this FAQ are specific to our non-construction portfolio and play a crucial role in monitoring progress and assessing outcomes of our non-construction awards. Please review these questions to better understand the process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What questionnaires are grantees required to complete?
    • Grantees with non-construction awards made on or after June 1, 2020, must complete two questionnaires for each award: the ED-916 Program Outputs Questionnaire and either the ED-917 or ED-918 Capacity Outcomes Questionnaire. These questionnaires are collectively referred to as the Non-Infrastructure Metrics (NIMs). 
  2. What is the ED-916?
    • The ED-916 collects data on program activities directly from grantees to monitor and assess progress in a quantifiable way, as well as to compile the data for future analysis of the relationship between program activities and capacity-building outcomes. Grantees report on this questionnaire annually throughout the period of performance.
  3. What is the ED-917 and the ED-918?
    • Both the ED-917 and the ED-918 collect data on short-term, direct impacts resulting from activities and services provided due to the EDA grant. Grantees will report on either the ED-917 or the ED-918 depending on the program under which the award was made. Grantees are only to report on capacity outcomes achieved during the annual reporting period, rather than cumulatively.
  4. How do Grantees know whether they’ll report on the ED-917 or the ED-918?
    • Grantees with awards made under the Trade Adjustment and Assistance for Firms, Revolving Loan Funds, University Centers, and Build 2 Scale programs will report on the ED-917. Grantees with awards from all other EDA programs will report on the ED-918. Project Officers will inform grantees on which capacity outcome questionnaire they will be reporting on during the kick-off call.
  5. How soon after receiving an award will a grantee begin reporting on the NIMs? For how long will they be required to report?
    • Grantees will report annually on the ED-916 for activities carried out throughout the period of performance of the award, or as otherwise directed by EDA. EDA will provide the first electronic Outputs questionnaire approximately one year after the date the period of performance starts, as set forth in the Notice of Award. For example, if the period of performance for the award starts in June 2024, the grantee will receive the first link to report in June 2025, and every June thereafter, through the end of the period of performance of the grant. 
    • Grantees will report on the ED-917 or the ED-918 annually for five years, or as otherwise directed by EDA. For example, if the period of performance for the award started in June 2024, the grantee will receive the first link to report on the capacity outcomes in June 2025, and every June thereafter, for five years. In this example, the grantee will report on that specific award until June 2029. This timeframe allows EDA to capture any longer term realized outcomes.
    • For grantees with institutional/recurring awards (made under the Planning, University Center and Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms programs), the ED-917 or ED-918 forms must be submitted annually only through the end of the period of performance, or any portion thereof if applicable, instead of 5 years.  This is to avoid any overlaps in reporting.
  6. How exactly will Grantees report on GPRA for their non-construction award(s)?
    • Grantees will report on their non-construction awards using the NIMs exclusively via Qualtrics. EDA emails a link to the relevant questionnaire when reporting is due. If a grantee has multiple awards, EDA will send separate links for each award at the appropriate time. Grantees will only need to click on the link to complete and submit the survey via Qualtrics. No log-in is necessary to access and complete the electronic questionnaire. 
  7. To whom in the grantee organization will EDA send the email with the survey link(s)?
    • Grantees should assign a GPRA contact responsible for completing the survey during their kick-off meeting. This individual need not be the Principal Investigator or the Authorized Representative but should be the person within the grantee organization responsible for GPRA reporting.
    • If the assigned GPRA Contact changes, grantees should promptly inform their Project Officer and update the role in EDGE.  
    • Qualtrics currently allows only one email contact per award. However, the GPRA contact can forward links to others in their organization for simultaneous review and editing. Once anyone submits, the questionnaire will no longer be accessible via the link.
  8. How do grantees identify the email from Qualtrics?
    • EDA’s Qualtrics address is [email protected]. We encourage grantees to add the Qualtrics email to their email address book for easier identification.
  9. How much time do grantees have to complete the surveys?
    • Grantees have 30 days from when the link is sent to submit their responses. During this time, they can exit Qualtrics and continue where they left off.
  10. Is it possible for grantees to draft responses in Qualtrics before submitting their questionnaire?
    • No. However, grantees can track and draft responses using the fillable PDFs for the relevant questionnaire provided on the GPRA page on our website. Note that this resource is for review and familiarization with the questionnaires only. All reporting must be done directly in Qualtrics or will be considered delinquent.
  11. Can grantees make edits after submitting the questionnaire(s)?
    • Certainly! If necessary, grantees can request that we reopen their link via [email protected]. However, we strongly encourage grantees to review their responses before submitting.
  12. How do grantees access copies of their previous responses?
    • Upon submitting their survey, grantees can download a PDF copy of their responses. The GPRA Contact and Project Officers also receive an automatic “Thank You” notification email from Qualtrics, which includes a link to download a PDF copy of the responses. Please encourage grantees to keep these copies for their records.
  13. What does EDA use this data for?
    • EDA uses this data to meet reporting requirements with the Department of Commerce and the Office of Management and Budget, increase transparency with the public, and support its value proposition to U.S. taxpayers, and tell a compelling, data-driven story of the great work our grantees are doing. EDA also uses this data for performance analysis and evaluation. Without this data, we risk understating the value of EDA to the country which could impact Congressional funding decisions.