Sounds like an overzealous or inexperienced USDE officer.  If you have
the person's name, it's worth a call to say you're confused.  An
inexperienced person may say, "Oh, I see";  zeal is more difficult to
deal with.  A revised face page with an original signature would suffice
with the agencies I'm most familiar with.   Call and cite the same
language you did in your e-mail.  Good luck.

--
Peter J. Dolce, Ph.D., Director
Office of Research Support Services
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, TN  37208
P (615) 327 6703
F (615) 327 6716