BONA FIDE NEED STATEMENT
 (required for C.Requests processing)
 

OVERVIEW

All Procurement Requests (C.Requests, Grants, and Agreements) must contain a Bona Fide Need Statement specific to the appropriated PPA(s) funding. The Bona Fide Need Statement for requisitions must state how funds are related to the work/support requested. “Adding additional funds to a contract” is not sufficient explanation of a bona fide need.

This statement certifies that the product or service meets a bona fide need, is in the public interest, and is applicable to the appropriation to be utilized.

PROCEDURE

  • Section 1. Purpose must include a description of what you are actually buying; this should correspond to underlying SOW or equivalent document; just stating, "modifying contract" or "adding funding to contract" is insufficient
  • Spell out the Portfolio and Program name in Section 3. in writing next to the alpha-numeric accounting code for clarity, e.g. "Analyze, Forecast & Support, Hydrological Services and Warnings" 
  • Only reference the official Portfolio and Program names per the NWS Appropriations Reference Manual (ARM) 
  • There is no such Program as "field operations - facilities."  Facilities related costs are charged to the Portfolio/Program responsible for the subject facility.  Refer to ARM Tables 6&7, "Assignment of Facility O&M to ORF by Facility or Facility Type"
  • In Section 6, when describing how the procurement supports the Portfolio and Program, cite the ARM where applicable to support your cost assignment; specifically, Table 1 of the ARM, "Summary of NWS Budget/PPA Structure", lists the appropriate Portfolio and Program code for major projects, initiatives, and activities; Table 2, "Assignment of Salaries & Expenses by Office, Office Component, or Position" lists the appropriate Portfolio and Program code for specific NWS organizations, offices, and staff positions; finally Sections D, E, F, and G provide additional guidance for administrative costs, travel, facilities, and IT respectively    
  • Requisitions involving multiple sources of funds must document cost allocation methodology; in Section 7 of the form, show the determining factors, e.g. # of systems or FTE used to derive allocation percentages and show how they are calculated; providing a table is most useful; just stating: "$ per PPA based on usage" is insufficient
  • Requisitions using funding from another NOAA Line Office must include documentation from a Line Office official (FMC Director, PM, or budget officer) certifying bona fide need for their funding; either attach an email from the Line Office or have them also sign the bona fide need form

FORMS/DOCUMENTS/CHECKLISTS

BONA FIDE NEED STATEMENT – Template (remember to remove the sample text when filling out the form)

https://sites.google.com/a/noaa.gov/nws-insider/internalcontrolsenvironment/bona-fide-need-statement?pli=1

FOR YOUR REFERENCE

NWS Appropriations Reference Manual (ARM) – Appendix B. NWS Program Codes:  

https://noaa.gov/nws-insider/internalcontrolsenvironment/appropriation-reference-manual