This is interesting and seems contradictory with other
congressional
actions.  Can anyone shed light on the background for this and
suggest what
it might mean in a broader context?

Yes.  A contract is not a grant, and the rules apply only to
grants.  I don't know why the thing was rescinded for contracts -
everything which I saw published said that the pause did not
apply to contracts in the first place.

elaine steward
Associate Director, Administration
USC/ISI