National Science Foundation Adopts Do Not Pay System to Prevent Improper Payments

You might care about this because the National Science Foundation (NSF) is putting a new system in place to make sure federal money is spent correctly. The NSF has announced a new computer matching program. This program will compare NSF records for benefits programs with the Treasury Department's Do Not Pay (DNP) Working System. The main goal is to find and stop incorrect payments and awards before they happen. It also aims to help recover any funds that were paid out improperly. This initiative follows the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019. This law requires agencies to use DNP to check eligibility. The DNP system checks if individuals or organizations are on lists that would make them ineligible for federal funds. This check happens before any payment or award is made. If the NSF's records match a record in the DNP system, the NSF program will review it further. If there is no match, the process continues normally. This is a crucial step to safeguard taxpayer money and improve the integrity of federal spending within NSF programs. This notice explains how this program works and its legal basis. It also lists the specific NSF programs that will participate in this matching activity. The system will look at details such as names, taxpayer identification numbers, addresses, and bank account information. This helps ensure that only eligible recipients receive federal funds. What is particularly interesting about this is how the government is tightening its controls over federal funds. This notice shows the NSF joining a broader government-wide effort to prevent improper payments. The DNP system is a central tool in this effort. The document highlights a waiver of certain standard requirements for matching agreements. This waiver comes from the Treasury Secretary, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. It allows the NSF to quickly implement this important program. This means the NSF does not have to go through the usual longer process for setting up these data-matching activities. The waiver makes it easier for agencies to use the DNP system to protect public funds. This move by the NSF demonstrates a strong commitment to financial accountability and preventing fraud. It is part of a larger push to ensure that federal agencies are efficient and responsible with taxpayer dollars. This collaboration between the NSF and the Treasury Department is a clear example of how different parts of the government are working together to achieve a common goal of financial integrity. Anyone applying for or receiving federal funds from the National Science Foundation would be most interested in this document. This includes researchers, universities, and other organizations seeking grants or awards from NSF programs like Engineering, Geosciences, or STEM Education. If you are an applicant, understanding this process is important because your information will be checked against the Do Not Pay system. Federal employees involved in grant administration, financial oversight, or compliance within the NSF or other agencies will also find this highly relevant. It affects how they manage and approve federal spending. Public interest groups focused on government accountability and preventing fraud would also be keen to review this. Finally, legal professionals specializing in administrative law or privacy rights might want to examine the implications of this data matching program and the waiver. This notice directly impacts those who interact with federal funding processes, ensuring transparency and proper use of government resources.