Title: PreAward Fundamentals
1Pre-Award Fundamentals of Research
Administration
NCURA Region I Annual Spring Meeting May 7th,
2006 Portland, Maine
2FACULTY
- Sara Clabby
- Contract Administrator, Office of Sponsored
Programs, Brown University - Bethanne Giehl
- Assistant Director, Research Funding Services
- University of Massachusetts Medical School
- Celia Gravely
- Project Manager
- Huron Consulting Services
3Frequently Asked Questions that will NOT be
Answered
- Why do faculty always wait until the last minute?
- Why does the government only add regulations, but
never takes any away? - Is it too late to find another line of work?
- Is there a profession with more acronyms than
Research Administration? - Why is this meeting room so hot?
- And..
- Why is this room so cold?
4PreAward Fundamentals
- Rules Requirements
- Federal Guidelines
- Sponsor Guidelines
- Institution Policies
- Sponsored Projects Administration
- What we do
- Who we are
- Central and De-central
- Why?
-
5Lifecycle of a Proposal/Award
Pre-Award
Post-Award
Development
Agency Review (6-9 mos)
Closeout
Project Period
1st Budget Period
2nd Budget Period
3rd Budget Period
No Cost Extension
Award
Submit Renewal /Competing-Continuation
Revised Budget
Final Reports
Submit Proposal
Pre-Award Costs
Award
Perform(Principal Investigator)
Technical Close(Principal Investigator)
Apply
Administer/Monitor(Post-Award Office)
Financial Close(Post-Award Office)
Find/Explore
6Research and development! My goodness!
7The Rules and Who Makes Them
- A Structure Based on
- Overarching Federal Regulations
- Parties to the relationship
- Sponsors and Performers
- Sponsors announce opportunities
- The formal Agreement between the parties
- Grant Contract Cooperative Agreement
- Agreements contain a set of rules, terms, and
conditions - Statutes regulations standard terms specific
conditions
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9 Who are our Sponsors?
- Federal Government
- Departments
- Agencies
- Independent Agencies
- State Government
- Foundations and Non-Profit Organizations
- Industry
- Large Entities (over 500 Employees)
- Small Entities (under 500 Employees)
10Examples of our Sponsors
- Agencies or Sponsors
- DHHS Department of Health and Human
Services - PHS Public Health Service
- NIH National Institutes of Health
- NSF National Science Foundation
- DOD Department of Defense
- AFOSR Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- ARPA Advanced Research Projects Office
- ARO Army Research Office
- ONR Office of Naval Research
- DOC Department of Commerce
- NIST Nat. Inst. of Standards and Technology
- AHA American Heart Association
- JDRF Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
- Whitaker Whitaker Foundation
- Monsanto Monsanto Industries
- HP Hewlett-Packard
- MASS-Ed Massachusetts Department of Education
- FL-FW Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife
Federal
Non-Profit
Industry
State
11How Sponsors Announce Opportunities
- PA Program Announcement (sponsor publication,
Federal - Register, FedBizzOpps) (grants,
cooperative agreements) - RFA Request for Applications (grants,
cooperative agreements) - RFP Request for Proposals (contracts)
- RFQ Request for Quotation (contracts)
- RFB Request for Bid (contracts)
- BAA Broad Agency Announcement (grant,
cooperative agreement, contract) - Response to Announcement in Form of Proposal
- Also called application quotation bid
- Lays out general plan of work, personnel, budget
to meet stated objectives
unsolicited
solicited
12Types of Agreements
- Most Common Types of Formal Agreements With the
Federal Government - Types of Award Actions
13Formal Agreements
- Most Common Types Of Formal Agreements
- Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Contract
Assistance Mechanisms
Procurement
14Formal Agreements Assistance Mechanisms
- Grant
- Purpose is to transfer money, property, services,
or anything of value to recipient in order to
accomplish a public purpose - Idea originates with performer
- No substantial involvement is anticipated between
sponsor and recipient during performance of
activity - Cooperative Agreement
- Principal purpose is to transfer funds to
recipient to accomplish a public purpose - Idea may originate with performer
- Substantial involvement is anticipated between
sponsor and recipient during performance of
activity
15Formal Agreements Procurement Mechanisms
- Contract
- Often called a procurement mechanism
- Sponsor determines that procurement contract is
appropriate - Principal purpose is to acquire property or
services for direct benefit or use of the sponsor - Idea originates with sponsor
16Contract Types
- Fixed Price Contract
- Cost-reimbursement Contract
- Time-and-Materials Contract
- Labor-hour Contract
- Plus variations and combinations of each of the
above
17Fixed Price Contracts
- Procurement of supplies or services on the basis
of reasonably definite functional or detailed
specifications. - When costs can be estimated reasonably
accurately. - Imposes on contractor maximum incentive to
control costs, but with minimum administrative
burden.
18Cost-Reimbursement Contracts
- Procurement of non-commercial items which cannot
be based on reasonably definite functional or
detailed specifications (i.e., RD). - There is no incentive for contractor to control
costs, thus government imposes tighter controls.
19CR/FP - How Do I Tell?
- Cost-Reimbursement
- Total estimated cost or not to exceed amount
- Invoicing based on expenditures
- Listed FAR clauses.
- Fixed Price
- Total Price
- Invoicing based on milestones
- Generally, POs are fixed-price
- Listed FAR clauses
20Time-and-Materials and Labor Hour Contracts
- Reimbursement of hours worked, not costs
incurred. - Fixed hourly rate that incorporates salary,
fringe benefits, FA, and fee. - Rates invoiced must match proposed rates,
regardless of actual cost incurred. - Audit?
- What to do about them
- Dont accept unless your financial system can
support it. - Argue on the basis of cost accounting standards
or - Negotiate a range to the allowable invoicing rates
21Grant vs. Contract
- Grant
- project conceived by
- investigator
- agency supports or assists
- performer defines details and
- retains scientific freedom
- agency maintains cognizance
- unilateral
- Contract
- project conceived by agency
- agency procures service
- agency exercises direction or
- control
- agency closely monitors
- bilateral
22 Comparing the Basic Types Of Agreements
- COOPERATIVE GRANT AGREE
MENT CONTRACT - BASIC PURPOSE Provide assistance Provide
assistance with substantial Procure tangible
with few restrictions involvement between
parties goods and services - SOLICITATION METHOD Application kit or Request
for Application Request for Proposal or
guidelines Quote - AWARD INSTRUMENT Short, may refer to Describes
involvement, party Long, detailed specs, general
conditions relationships clauses, regulations,
and expected result - INVOLVEMENT Generally none Substantial
involvement May be extensive - BY SPONSOR
- REBUDGETING Flexible Usually flexible More
restrictive - EQUIPMENT TITLE Grantee Varies Varies
- PERFORMANCE PERIOD Specified in Grant Specified
in Coop. Agreement Specified in Contract - PATENT RIGHTS Usually favor recipient May be
involved Provision in contract - PUBLICATIONS May ask to be informed May ask to be
informed May be prior review/approval - TECHNICAL Annual summary report No more than
quarterly Detailed, maybe monthly
23Hierarchy of Federal Regulations
Examples
- Sources
- Statutory requirements (i.e., an Act of Congress,
becoming Public Law) - Presidential Executive Order
- Federal regulations
- Sponsors terms/conditions
NIH Salary cap appears as statutory language in
the HHS appropriations act
Affirmative Action
NSF regulations on Uniform Administrative
Requirements appear in 45 CFR 602
NSF grant terms and conditions appear in the NSF
Grant Policy Manual NSF Grant General
Conditions (CG-1)
24How Do Federal Regulations Happen?
ORIGIN PUBLIC LAW PRESIDENTIAL FEDERAL
AGENCY (statutory requirement) EXECUTIVE
ORDER REGULATION UNITED STATES CODE
(USC) Grants Contracts EXECUTIVE OMB-CIR
CULARS FAR Councils OMB CLEARANCE Transmittal
Memos - civilian COMMON RULE -
defense AGENCY CODE OF FEDERAL REGS
(CFR) FEDERAL REGISTER (Dept/agency
Specific) (rulemaking comment
period) IMPLEMENTATION AGENCY REGS FEDERAL
REGISTER FEDERAL REGISTER FEDERAL ACQUISITION
REGS AGENCY GRANT REGS AGENCY REGS (contracts
only) (FAR) FAR SUPPLEMENTS FAR
SUPPLEMENTS AGENCY FAR SUPPLEMENTS
(contracts) EXAMPLES CIVIL RIGHTS
(USC) DEBARMENT SUSPENSION RECOMBINANT DNA
(NIH) FOIA (USC CFR) (Common
rule-CFR) MISCONDUCT (NSF) HUMAN SUBJECTS
(Common Rule-FR) COORDINATED REVIEW CONFLICT OF
INTEREST (NSF, NIH) DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
(USC) VIETNAM ERA VETERANS DRUG-FREE WORKFORCE
(DOD) LOBBYING (USC FR) MISCONDUCT (NIH)
25Types of Award Actions
- New Award/Competing Award
- Continuation Award/Non-competing Award
- Supplemental Award
- Modification (e.g., budgetary revision, change of
key personnel, administrative change, termination
notice) - No-Cost Extension
- Amendments (usually associated with contracts)
- Subaward
26Typical Elements of an Award Notice
- Awarding entity and authority
- Award number
- Recipient (institution)
- Name of PI or project director
- Reference to proposal or project title
- Funding (total, incremental?)
- Cost basis (reimbursement, fixed?)
- Dates (start, end)
- Reports, deliverables
- Terms and conditions
- Stated in text, attached, or incorporated by
reference
27Excerpt from Award Letter Federal
- The National Science Foundation hereby awards a
grant of 70,411 to NAME OF UNIVERSITY for
support of the project described in the proposal
referenced above as modified by revised budget
dated June 2, 2005. This project, entitled
"Cyclic Processes Within Surface-exposed
Fractures Affecting Evaporation and Salinization
Mechanisms," is under the direction of PI
Smith. - This award is effective August 1 , 2005 and
expires July 31, 2006. This is a continuing grant
which has been approved on scientific / technical
merit for approximately 4 years. Contingent on
the availability of funds and the scientific
progress of the project, NSF expects to continue
support at approximately the following level FY
2006 123,118 FY 2007 121,019 FY 2008 35,192. - This grant is awarded pursuant to the authority
of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950,
as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861-75) and is subject to
NSF Grant General Conditions (GC-1), dated
6/15/05 available at http//www.nsf.gov/publicatio
ns/pub_summ.jsp?ods_keygc1605.
28Office of Management and Budget Circulars
- OMB Circulars for Cost Principles Applicable To
All Awards - A-21 Cost Principles for Educational
Institutions - A-87 Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian
Tribal Governments - A-122 Cost Principles for Non-Profit
Organizations - Uniform Administrative Requirements
- A-110 Grants and other Agreements with
Institutions of Higher - Education, Hospitals, and other Non-Profit
Organizations - Uniform Administrative Requirements
-
29Office of Management and Budget Circulars
- OMB Circulars for Uniform Administrative
Requirements (contd.) - A-102 Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants and - Cooperative Agreements With State and Local
Governments - Regulations Applicable to Audits
- A-133 Audits of States, Local Governments and
Non-Profit - Organizations
- Regulations Applicable To Procurement Actions
- FAR Federal Acquisition Regulations (first
published, Federal Register, 9/19/83 on-going
revisions)
30The Front Page of the Newspaper Test
Contemplating any business act, an employee
should ask himself whether he would be willing to
see it immediately described by an informed and
critical reporter on the front page of his local
paper, there to be read by his spouse, children,
and friends. --- Warren E.Buffet
31Responsible Conduct of ResearchCompliance Topics
- Responsible Conduct of Research
- Research Misconduct
- Financial Conflict of Interest
- Human Subjects
- Animal Care
- Recombinant DNA
- Hazardous Materials
- Data Rights, Access, Protection
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33Responsible Conduct of Research
- PHS requirement for trainees on K-30, T-32 and
T-34 awards to complete instruction in the
following - Data acquisition, management, sharing, and
ownership - Mentor/trainee responsibilities
- Publication practices and responsible authorship
- Peer review
- Collaborative science
- Human subjects
- Research involving animals
- Research misconduct
- Conflict of interest and commitment
34About these experiments youve conducted for 12
years no one remembers hiring you.
35Research Misconduct
- Research misconduct defined
-
- does not include honest error or honest
differences in interpretations or judgments
of data. - Government-wide policy issued by OSTP, December
2000 - Designed to replace existing PHS and NSF rules
and to be adopted by all federal funding agencies
- Changes adopted by NASA, NSF, VA, USDA, DOE, EPA,
DHHS and DOL
36Research Misconduct
- Institutions must develop policies and procedures
to deal with allegations of misconduct to
include - Definitions
- Written policy
- Description of inquiry and investigational phases
- Process for protection of whistleblowers
- Reporting to agency (process, timing)
- Retention of records
- Certification requirements
- DHHS requires Assurance Annual Report on Possible
Misconduct
37Financial Conflict of Interest
- PHS Regulation and final NSF policy effective on
October 1, 1995 - Regulation / policy similar in content
- Major components of the regulations
- Contractors / grantees must have adequate
policies - Disclosures of financial interests of faculty and
family must be made by PIs and others having
decision- making authority over conduct of work - Financial interest defined as 10,000 annual
income or 5 equity whichever is less - Contractors/grantees have discretion over who
reviews disclosures
38Financial Conflict of Interest
- Specific criteria for review will be at
institutions discretion - Management of conflicting financial interests
must be undertaken - Applications must contain certifications
- Institutional records are subject to federal
review
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40Financial Conflict of Interest
- Investigator Conflict of Interest versus
- Institutional Conflict of Interest
- Institutional Conflict of Interest
- Equity Interest in Company
- Licensing Interest
- Interest Held by Institutional Officers
- Human Subject Consideration
- Informed Consent
- May 2004 DHHS Guidance
41Confidentiality of Patient Records(meant to
protect patients seeking drug and alcohol
treatment)
- Applicability
- All programs funded in whole or in part by
federal funds - Flow-down requirement to subrecipients
- Records cannot be used to initiate or
substantiate criminal charges - Records can only be released with consent of
patient except - when identity withheld
- when authorized by court
42Confidentiality of Patient Records HIPAA
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996 (HIPAA) - Congress failed to pass legislation before
8/21/99, which resulted in authorization of DHHS
to issue regulation - Final Rule issued on August 14, 2002
Implementation by April 14, 2003 - http//aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/pvcfact1.htm
- 45 CFR Part 160
- Provisions
- Patient Education on Privacy
- Patient Guaranteed Access to Medical Records
- Patient Must Give Prior Approval Before Release
of Records - Release of Minimum Necessary for Health Care
Purposes Only - Provide Recourse if Violated Civil and
Criminal Penalties Through the DHHS Office for
Civil Rights - Records for Research Purposes Oversight by IRB
or Privacy Board
43Functions and Organization of Sponsored Projects
Administration
- Functions
- Organizational Participants
- Organizational Models
44Functions of Research Administration Examples
- Policy and procedure development, implementation
- Funding opportunity development, promotion,
advancement - Interpretation of guidelines, preparation and
review of proposals - Stewardship and accountability
- Financial and programmatic oversight
- Project performance and delivery
- Subcontracts, purchase of goods and services
May be handled by different offices
45More Examples
- Training
- Negotiation, dispute resolution
- Reports
- Progress
- Fiscal
- Final
- Certification, compliance
- Risk management
- Transfer to public benefit, economic development,
communication of outcomes
46Organizational Participants
- Executive Administration
- Academic and Research Divisions
- Business Divisions
- Legal Office
- Other
47Friend of the administration or friend of
research?
48Organizational Models
- Unified
- Under one division at the institution
- May have other offices distributed (e.g.,
compliance) - Separate
- Parallel
- Under academic and business divisions
49Organizational Models
- Organizational Models Depend on
- Tradition
- Philosophy
- Size and mission of institution
- Experience
- Key to success with any model
- COMMUNICATION
50Why Sponsored Projects?(The Institutions
Perspective)
Often centered around institutions standing and
mission
- Increase Status/Prestige
- Attract New Faculty and Students
- Train Future Scientists/Teachers
- Upgrade Programs and Build Infrastructure
- Enhance Connections
- With Other Segments of Society
- Service to State/County
Institution
Sponsored Projects
Research Administration
Faculty
51Expectations Made of Our Faculty
- Take a few minutes and consider the range of
expectations and demands placed on our faculty. - What expectations can you identify?
52Faculty
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54Common Goals Research Administrator and
Investigator
- Increase Sponsored Program Activity and
Publication of Results to Advance Knowledge - Enhance Educational Opportunities for Students
- Expand Research and Public Service Activities
- Streamline and Improve the Research Environment
- Protect and Minimize Risk to Individuals and
Institution
55The Research Administration Balancing Act
- Research administrators seek a balance of
interests that respects the shared
responsibilities throughout the institution. - Research administrators balance facilitating the
research, teaching, and public service activities
of faculty, students and other investigators
while accommodating the priorities and
stewardship expectations of the institution,
governmental entities, sponsors and the public.
Internal Stakeholders
External Stakeholders
56Proposal Development
57Proposal Development
- Gather Funding Information
- Disseminate Funding Information
- Help Develop Sponsor Contacts
- Provide Proposal Assistance
- Produce Workshops and Manuals
- Proposal Preparation for Faculty
- Departmental Administrators
- Specific Sponsors
- Electronic Proposal Submission
- Budgets
- Administer In-House Grants Programs
58Types of Proposals
- Letter of Inquiry
- Letters of Intent
- Preliminary Proposals
- Concept Papers
- White Papers
- Formal Proposals
59Letter of Inquiry or Preliminary Proposal
- Letter Proposal
- Used by private foundations for screening to
second stage - Preliminary Proposal
- Used by both federal and non-federal sponsors
- Length
- 3 5 pages
- Format
- cover letter and 3 4 page proposal, or
- All information in 3 5 page letter
-
60Letter of Inquiry orPreliminary Proposal
- Elements to be covered
- Areas of research/content of project (be rather
specific) - Needs and purpose statement
- Unique qualifications, abilities, and facilities
- Benefits/anticipated results of the project
- Estimate of cost (no detailed budget)
- Offer to meet
- Request for response
61Concept Paper/White Paper
- Concept Paper
- Generally internal working document or used for
informal feedback - White Paper
- Concept paper sent unsolicited to a sponsor
62Formal Proposal
- Put together according to guidelines established
by sponsor - Always use forms and format required by sponsor
63Formal Proposal (continued)
- The Usual Sections
- Title/Cover Page with appropriate
signatures - Abstract (less than one page)
- Statement of Work
- Key Personnel CVs/Bio Sketch
- Detailed budget with Justification
- Facilities/Resources Statement
- Appendices (as needed and
- allowable by sponsor)
64Formal Proposals (continued)
- Parts
- Scientific/Program Description
- Representations and Certifications
- Budget
65Formal Proposals (continued)
- The Science
- A concise explanation of the project
- the what
- why
- how
- Usually must conform to a specified structure and
page limitations
66Formal Proposal (continued)
- Administrative Sections
- The Reps. Certs.
- Certifications may be incorporated into the
proposal, i.e., the Checklist Page for NIH, the
Cover Page for NSF - Or the certifications can be separate, i.e.,
Certifications and Assurances for Assistance
Agreements for the Defense Agencies and Standard
Form 424B for DED, EPA, etc. - May also need Certification Regarding Lobbying
and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
67Formal Proposal (continued)
- OMB Circular A-110
- Uniform Administrative Requirements
- for Grants and Agreements with
- Institutions of Higher Education and
- Other Non-profit Organizations
- Subpart A General
- Subpart B Pre-Award Requirements
- Subpart C Post-Award Requirements
- Subpart D After the Award Requirements
- Appendix A Contract Provisions
68Formal Proposal (continued)
- A-110 Subpart A General
- Effect of A-110 on Other Issuances
- Awards subject to A-110, all other
- administrative requirements codified
- in program regulations, manuals,
- handbooks inconsistent with this
- circular are superseded, unless
- required by statute or authorized by
- the deviations provisions of this
- circular
- Deviations
- Exceptions to A-110 are permitted in
- unusual circumstances by OMB
69Formal Proposal (continued)
- A-110 Subpart A (cont.)
- Subawards
- A-110 should be flowed down to
- sub-recipients which fall under
- this circular
- A-110 Subpart B Pre-Award
- Agency Decides on Appropriate Award Instrument
- Grant Principal Purpose is to Provide Support
to - Accomplish a Public Purpose
- Cooperative Agreement Same as a Grant, Except
- Substantial Involvement is Expected by the
- Awarding Agency
70Formal Proposal (continued)
- A-110 Subpart B (cont.)
- Contract Principal Purpose is
- Acquisition of Property or Services
- for Direct Benefit of Government
- Forms Used When Applying for Assistance
- Agencies must comply with 5CFR part
- 1320 Controlling Paperwork
- Burdens on the Public
- Applicants shall use SF-424 series, or
- forms and instructions prescribed by
- agency
- Programs covered by E.O. 12372
- Intergovernmental Review of Federal
- Programs applicants must complete
71Formal Proposal (continued)
- A-110 Subpart B (cont.)
- appropriate sections of SF 424 and
- send a copy of proposal to the state
- coordinating office.
- Debarment and Suspension
- Agencies and recipients must comply with
- the non-procurement common rule
- Special Award Conditions
- Additional requirements may be imposed by
- agencies if
- Recipient has history of poor
- performance
-
72Formal Proposal (continued)
- A-110 Subpart B (cont.)
- Recipient is not financially stable
- Recipient has management system
- that does not meet standards
- Recipient has not conformed with
- terms and conditions of previous
- award
- Recipient is not responsible
- Recipient must be notified in writing
- Special conditions removed once
- corrections are made
73Formal Proposal (continued)
- Basically, the Agency is looking for us to
certify compliance with all of their statutory
requirements
74Budget Development
- Include both direct and FA costs
- Should be detailed
- Include only allowable costs
- If required, include matching or cost-sharing (if
cost-sharing is proposed it should be
proportional between direct and FA)
75Budget Development (cont.)
- Direct Costs
- Costs that can be identified specifically
- with a particular sponsored project,
- an instructional activity, or any other
- institutional activity or that can be
- directly assigned to such activities
- relatively easily with a high degree of
- accuracy
- Examples of Direct Costs
- Salary of Researcher (including FB)
- Laboratory Supplies
76Budget Development (cont.)
- Facilities and Administrative
- (FA) Costs
- Costs that are incurred for common or
- joint objectives, and, therefore, cannot
- be identified readily and specifically
- with a particular sponsored project,
- an instructional activity, or any other
- institutional activity
- Examples of FA Costs
- Salary of Department Administrator
- Building utility and maintenance costs
- Purchasing, Controllers offices
77Budget Development (cont.)
- Composition of Total Costs
- A-21, section C.1.
- The cost of a sponsored agreement is
- comprised of the allocable direct
- costs incident to its performance, plus
- the allocable portion of the allowable
- FA costs of the institution
- Therefore, Federal sponsors reimburse
- the institution for the allowable costs
- of a project, including direct costs and
- FA costs.
78Budget Development (cont.)
- Elements of Direct Costs
- Salaries and Wages
- Fringe Benefits (FB)
- Equipment
- Expendable Supplies and Materials
- Travel
- Subcontracts
- Consultants
- External
- Interdepartmental
- Other
79Budget Development (cont.)
- Salaries and Wages
- Institutional Policy on Academic Year
- Salary Recovery
- Summer Salary
- Postdoctoral Research Associates
- Undergraduate Graduate Students
- (salaries or stipends?)
- Technical and Clerical Support
- Use Percent of Effort, Not Hourly Wage
- Include Increases for COLA and Merit-
- based Adjustments
- Follow institutional policies on FB
80Budget Development (cont.)
- Equipment
- Note the differences between the sponsors
equipment definitions/ thresholds and your
institutions - General purpose equipment is not allowable as a
direct cost unless programmatically necessary and
used exclusively/primarily for research - Expendable Materials/Supplies
- Must be programmatically necessary general
office supplies should be treated as an FA cost
unless a major program.
81Budget Development (cont.)
- Travel
- Adhere to Institutional Policy and Agency
- Guidelines
- Distinguish between Domestic and
- Foreign Travel
- Foreign Travel may require prior approval
- from sponsor prior to trip (even if in
- original budget/proposal
- Subcontracts
- Proposed costs should be Reasonable and
Allowable (however, keep in the mind the
sub-contractor may be under different cost
principals)
82Budget Development (cont.)
- Consultants
- External required expertise needed for the
project which cannot be provided by faculty or
staff at the institution rate must be
reasonable in most instances, consultants level
of effort and participation should not rise to
the level of key personnel that would imply
substantive programmatic work - Interdepartmental in some instances, a faculty
or staff member may serve on a project as a
consultant, but only if the expertise required is
not part of this person appointment or job
function
83Budget Development (cont.)
- Other Direct Costs
- Communications
- Publications
- Animal Care Costs
- Human Subject Costs
- Shop Charges
- Maintenance/Service Contracts
- Computer Costs
- Graphic Arts/Photographic Services
- Rental/Lease of Facilities
- Construction/Renovation/Remodeling Costs
- All of the above must be programmatically
necessary!
84Budget Development (cont.)
- What Does Allowable Mean?
- An allowable cost must be
- REASONABLE A prudent business
- person would have purchased this item
- and paid this price.
- ALLOCABLE It can be assigned to the
- activity on some reasonable basis.
- CONSISTENTLY TREATED Like costs must
- be treated the same in like circumstances,
- as either direct or FA costs.
- If a cost cannot meet the above criteria, it is
- unallowable, no matter what it is for.
85Budget Development (cont.)
- What Does Allowable Mean? (cont.)
- An allowable cost is one that is eligible for
- reimbursement by the federal government.
- Contrast with
- PERMISSIBLE BY INSTITUTION A cost is
- permitted by institution, as outlined in
its - various administrative policies or
procedures. - ALLOWABLE BY AGENCY A cost is permitted
- by the policies of the sponsoring agency
or - the terms of an award.
86Budget Development (cont.)
- Assessing Whether a Cost Is
- Allowable or Unallowable
- A cost may be expressly unallowable,
- i.e., it is always unallowable as either
- a direct or indirect.
- Unallowable activities fund raising,
- alumni relations, lobbying, etc.
- Unallowable transactions alcohol,
- entertainment, fines, etc.
- A cost may be allowable but only as an
- indirect/FA cost, not a direct charge,
- e.g., proposal preparation
87Budget Development (cont.)
- Assessing Whether a Cost Is
- Allowable or Unallowable (cont.)
- Generally, it is not the type of cost that
- determines allowability, it is the purpose
- and circumstance of the expenditure. Many
- categories of costs are allowable as a
- direct or indirect, e.g. salaries, travel,
- materials, etc.
88Budget Development (cont.)
- Third Party Agreements
- Types of third party agreements
- Purchase Order
- Subcontract/Subgrant/Subagreement
- Consulting Agreement
89Budget Development (cont.)
- Purchase Order
- A particular kind of agreement issued to
- enter into a legally-binding commitment
- with an outside vendor for the
- acquisition of goods and services.
- Normally the purchasing department is
- responsible for purchase orders, and
- for their negotiation or revision where
- necessary.
- Vendor Subcontracts used for the
- procurement of goods or services from
90Budget Development (cont.)
- Purchase Order (cont.)
- an organization which provides the
- goods or services to many different
- purchasers as part of its normal
- business operations within a competitive
- environment. These subcontracts (or
- purchase orders) are not subject to
- compliance requirements of the Federal
- award (per A-133).
91Budget Development (cont.)
- Subawards/Subcontracts/
- Subgrants/Subagreements
- Whatever you call them
- A written agreement with a third party for
- the acquisition of services or goods or
- for the conduct of prescribed activities
- or functions under an award.
- Subrecipient Subawards used to procure
- substantive programmatic work under
- a grant or contract. The sub-recipient
- has responsibility for programmatic
92Budget Development (cont.)
- Subawards (cont.)
- decision making and measurable
- performance requirements related
- directly to the award. Sub-recipients
- must adhere to federal compliance
- requirements.
- Subaward Process Requirements
- Letter of Intent
- Statement of Work
- Period of Performance
- Budget
93Budget Development (cont.)
- Process Requirements (cont.)
- Other Documentation
- FA Cost Agreement
- Cost Justification
- Statement of Work Approval
- Certifications/Assurances (these
- are usually part of the subaward
- agreement)
94Budget Development (cont.)
- Consulting Agreement
- A form of subcontract
- An agreement issued for services too
- urgent, temporary, specialized, or highly
- technical to be provided by existing
- university personnel. Consulting
- agreements are not issued to procure
- substantive programmatic work.
- Consultants operate as independent
- contractors without detailed supervision,
- like subcontractors. Unlike
subcontractors, - they most often participate on a work-for-
- hire basis.
95Budget Development (cont.)
- Consulting Agreements (cont.)
- Remember a consultant is not an
- employee.
- If am employee is misclassified as an
- consultant, the institution is subject to
- fines and penalties.
- Employer/employee relationships imply
- More discretion to direct or control the
- contents of work and results to be
- accomplished and means by which
- accomplished
- Continuing relationship whether full-
96Budget Development (cont.)
- Consulting Agreements (cont.)
- time, part-time, seasonal, or short
- duration.
- Set Hours
- Guaranteed minimum pay and pay intervals
- Mutual right to terminate without liability
- Furnishing of facilities, supplies, and
- equipment needed to accomplish work
- Training supplied
- Some Possible Considerations For Consulting
- Agreements
- Prior Approval to Publish, Etc.
- Work-For-Hire
97Budget Development (cont.)
- Consulting Agreements (cont.)
- Conflict of Interest
- Indemnification
- Flow-through Provisions from Prime
- Rate Limitation
- Sponsors May Set Allowable Rates
- Consultants
- Travel Is In Addition to Daily Rate
98Budget Development (cont.)
- Cost-Sharing/Matching Costs
- is the portion of the cost of a project not borne
by the sponsoring agency - Types of cost sharing
- Mandatory
- Voluntary
- Voluntary Uncommitted
99Budget Development (cont.)
- What Can be Used to Meet
- Cost Sharing?
- Cash
- Third Party Contributions (however,
- federal funds cannot be used as cost
- sharing on federal funds)
- Unrecovered FA costs (can be used if
- agency has approved)
- Establishing values for contributions of
- services and property (in accordance
- with applicable cost principles)
- Volunteer Services if necessary and
- integral part of project
100Budget Development (cont.)
- Cost Sharing (continue)
- Other employee services (valued at
- regular rate of pay fringe benefits)
- Donated supplies (must be reasonable
- and at fair market value)
- Cost Sharing Considerations
- Cash and third party in-kind
- contributions must meet all of the
- following criteria
- Are verifiable from the recipients records
101Budget Development (cont.)
- Cost Sharing Considerations
- (continued)
- Cannot be used as cost sharing on other
- federal projects
- Are necessary and reasonable for
- accomplishment of project objectives
- Are allowable under the cost principles
- Are not paid by the Federal government
- under another award
- Are provided for in the approved budget
- when required by Federal agency
- Conform to other provisions of A-110,
- as applicable
102Budget Development (cont.)
- Potential Problems Associated with Cost Sharing
- Can we demonstrate to the funding
- agency that the cost sharing
- commitment has been fulfilled? Do
- track cost sharing on a project-by-
- project basis?
- Are we treating cost sharing consistently
- with other project costs, i.e., classify
- it as organized research?
103Budget Development (cont.)
- Potential Problems (cont.)
- Are we overstating our FA rate by not
- capturing cost sharing?
- Do effort reports capture cost shared
- effort (both mandatory and
- voluntarily committed)?
- Are the same cost sharing funds used to
- meet the matching requirements on
- more than one project?
- Do we recover cost sharing expenditures
- through our FA rate?
104Budget Development (cont.)
- Facilities and Administrative Costs
- Points to Consider
- FA cost recovery is the reimbursement for
actual - costs incurred by the institution in
support of - sponsored projects
- FA costs are incurred on all institutional
- activities, not just sponsored research
- FA costs are REAL COSTS!
- A significant portion of FA cost not recovered
- When an external sponsor pays less than the full
- FA rate, the unrecovered FA costs must be
- absorbed by the institution (its an
institutional - decision)
105Budget Development (cont.)
- Types of FA Rate Bases
- Total Direct Costs (TDC)
- All direct costs of research
- Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC)
- All direct cost of research less
- Equipment
- Subcontracts in excess of 25,000
- Tuition Remission
- Patient Care
- Capital Expenditures
- Rental Costs
- Scholarships Fellowships
- Other items may be excluded where necessary to
avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of
FA
106Budget Development (cont.)
- FA Rate Bases (cont.)
- Salaries and Wages (SW)
- Can only be used with the Simplified
- Method
- Types of FA Cost Rates
- Provisional Estimated rate used when
- parties cannot agree on an equitable
- rate. May be replaced by fixed or
- predetermined rate before the end of
- the fiscal year.
- Predetermined Rate established for
107Budget Development (cont.)
- FA Cost Rates (cont.)
- for period, normally 2 to 4 years. No
- carry forward provision.
- Fixed with Carryforward Rate established
- for period. Over/under recovery is
- determined and an adjustment is applied
- to a subsequent rate negotiation.
- FA Rate Versus FA Recovery
- FA is often waived or reduced for cost
- sharing
- FA rate calculation based on recoverable
108Budget Development (cont.)
- Rate Versus Recovery (cont.)
- costs, i.e., all awards receive a full
- allocation of FA, not recovery
- In reality, institutions subsidize a
- significant portion of FA costs
- On-Campus Research Rate
- Applied to on-campus organized
- research activities
- Most frequently used rate may be the
- only rate negotiated
109Budget Development (cont.)
- Off-Campus Research Rate
- Applied to sponsored agreements at off-
- campus facilities
- Off-Campus is usually not a university-
- owned facility
- Recovers administrative costs associated
- with sponsored agreements
- Typically is the A portion of the On-
- Campus Research Rate F costs are
- direct charged
- The A portion is generally 26 because of
federal cap
110Budget Development (cont.)
- Other Sponsored Programs
- Institutions with large amount of non-
- research sponsored projects may
- negotiate a separate rate for these
- projects
- Rates for Specific Facilities
- The costs of certain programs/facilities
- may be unique enough to warrant a
- separate FA rate
- Examples Agricultural Experiment Station
- Federally Funded Research and
- Development Center (FFRDC) University
- Medical Center
111Proposal Review
- Typical Institutional Checklist
- for Proposal Review
- Correct Forms
- Internal Review Checklist/Approval Form
- Compatibility with Internal Review Checklist
- Intellectual Property
- Space Needs
- Renovation Requirements
- Cost Sharing/Matching
- Human Subject Use
- review and approval
- Animal Use
- review and approval
112Proposal Review (cont.)
- Checklist for Proposal Review (cont.)
- Recombinant DNA
- review and approval
- Conflict of Interest Policy
- Publications/Proprietary Information
- Restrictions
- Hazardous Materials
- Undergraduate Graduate Students
- Page Limitations
- Type Size Limitations
- All Elements of Proposal Included
113Proposal Review (cont.)
- Checklist (cont.)
- Correct Rates Used
- Budget Correct
- Signatures
- Subcontractor Commitment Letter
- All Certifications Included
- If RFP, is Exception Letter Needed
- If Foundation/Corporation, on
- restricted list
- Requirement for State Review Ascertained
- Correct Number of Copies, Deadline Date
- Mailing/Delivery Address
114Proposal Review (cont.)
- Checklist (cont.)
- Method of Transmittal, Packaging
- Instructions
- Limitation on Number of Proposals
- from Institution
- And Youre Done!!!
115Pre-Award Part IIProposal Submission Review
- Certifications Representations
- Routing Internal Approval Signatures
- Special Consideration
- Peer Review, Site Visits,
- Pre-Award Audits
116Representations and Certifications for Proposals
- Civil rights, Non-discrimination
- Delinquent Federal Debt
- Drug-free Workplace
- Drug-free Workforce
- Debarment and Suspension
- Drug- and Alcohol-free Schools
- Procurement Integrity
- Small Business Utilization Subcontracting
- Lobbying
117Debarment and Suspension (Final Rule May 1989)
- Regulations implemented by common rule (Grants)
- Federal Acquisition Regulations (Contracts)
- BACKGROUND Development of a government-wide
system for transactions with federal agencies to
detect fraudulent or improper use of government
funds - APPLICABILITY Agreements in excess of 25,000.
Flow down required - CERTIFICATION Applicants, their principals and
researchers are not - Presently debarred or suspended
- Have not been convicted or had civil judgment for
fraud rendered within a three year period - Are not presently charged by a Government entity
- Have not had a public transaction terminated for
cause or default within a three year period
118Procurement Integrity
- Applicability
- All federal contracts
- Certification required when contract exceeds
100,000/year - No flow-down requirement
- Requirements
- No competing contractor or any officer, employee
or consultant of such contractor shall - make any offer or promise of future employment
- offer any money, gratuity, or other thing of
value to any procurement officer of such agency - solicit any proprietary data or source selection
information concerning such procurement - Key to Compliance inform PI, and others, of
requirements
119Utilization of Small and Small Disadvantaged
Business Concerns
- Applicability
- Most contracts in excess of 100,000
- Flow-down to subcontractors
- Special requirements
- When contract is in excess of 500,000,
subcontracting plan required and special
reporting requirements apply - Subcontracting means procurement of goods and
services - Subcontracting plan compliance and reporting can
be handled by either purchasing office, research
administration, or by project administrator
120Lobbying Terms Defined
- Lobbying activities include
- Lobbying contacts
- Preparation and planning for lobbying
- Collaboration with others, such as associations
- Most public activities exempted
- Lobbying contact means
- Any oral, written or electronic communication
- Certain contact with executive officials
- Certain contacts with legislative officials
- With regard to
- Legislation
- Federal rule, regulation, policy
- Federal program (contracts, grants, loans, etc.)
121Lobbying
- Applicability
- All federal agreements
- Flow-down to subcontractors is required
- Aspects Of Compliance
- Lobbying costs may not be paid from federal funds
- Federal funds interpreted to mean direct costs
only - Certification required for awards over 100,000
- Disclosure of lobbying expenses required in
certain instances
122Certification Signatures
- Authorizing Official
- Chief Executive or those delegated authority
- Supported by internal approvals and signatures
- PI, department, dean, business officers
- Signature is indication of assurances,
representations and certifications - See agency program guides and forms for summary
of assurances that are made by signature of
authorizing official and principal investigators
123Typical Institutional Checklist for Proposal
Review
- Compliance with Sponsor Requirement
- Compliance with Institutional Policies
- Compliance with Statutory Requirements
- Application Completeness
- Appropriateness of Budget
- If applicable, review Guidelines of Solicitation
124Solicitations Special Considerationat Time of
Institutional Review
- RFP Request for Proposals
- RFQ Request for Quotation
- RFB Request for Bid
- RFA Request for Applications
- Proposers must register objections to proposed
terms and conditions, scope of work, etc., at
the time of response. It may be the only
opportunity to take exception. - For example
- resist using hours for faculty and professional
staff
125 Peer Review
- Evaluations are anonymous, and given in summary
form to applicant on request - Reviews usually assign scores, rankings, or
categories - Funding decisions are based on available funds
- Amount of award may be unilateral, or may be
negotiated
- Primary basis for most funding decisions
- Variations some contract procurements may be
based on a combination of qualifications and
proposed cost (administrative and scientific
review) - Role of program official is a variable
If the proposal is rejected by the sponsor, the
PI should obtain the reviews from the sponsor,
address the issues, and resubmit the proposal
126(No Transcript)
127Negotiation of Awards, Dispute Resolution
- Negotiation Framework
- Clear channels of communication documentation
- Know institutional policies be familiar with
scope of work and your history with the sponsor,
project, PI, - Terms and Conditions programmatic and business
- Negotiations with federal sponsors often include
- Budget level Project Goals Business Standards
- Negotiations with non-federal sponsors often
include - Academic principles (freedom, publications,
ownership of data and reports) - Intellectual property
- Business standards (salary basis, academic
calendar) - Financial reporting (level of detail)
128Intellectual Property Bayh-Dole Act - 37 CFR
Part 401
- Allows retention of entire right, title, and
interest throughout the world to each invention
made with federal funding - Government Retains nonexclusive, nontransferable,
irrevocable, paid-up license to practice the
invention for or on behalf of the government - Requirements
- Disclosure within two months after inventor
discloses to institution - Election of title within two years of disclosure
to agency - Filing of initial patent application within one
year of electing title
129Material Transfer Agreement Considerations
- See Uniform Biological Material Transfer
Agreement for standard model (http//www.autm.net/
ubmta/UBMTAWord.doc) - Ensure it is an institutional rather than a
personal agreement - Clearly and specifically define material involved
- Define use to which material is (and is not) to
be put, and how to return or dispose of unused
quantities. - Define limitations on use and what is to be
considered confidential - May address use of names of organizations
involved - Ownership of derivatives
- Commercial/Non-commercial use
- Publications (usually requires acknowledgement,
perhaps co-authorship) - Indemnification
130Clinical Trials
- The institution is usually reimbursed on a per
patient basis often with a fixed F A rate of
20 - 30 TDC - Negotiation concerns
- Ownership of Data
- Ownership and Confidentiality of Patient Records
- Publication of Results
- Patent Rights
- Indemnification
- Billing of Third-party Carriers for Costs
- Liability for Subject Injury
- Informed Consent Requirements
- FA Costs
131Electronic Research Administration
- A Definition of ERA
- What It Means for Sponsored Projects Offices
- The Future of ERA
132NIH Mail Room at Proposal Deadline
133ERA A Definition
- Electronic Research Administration simply means
using electronic tools to perform the activities
related to research administration. Keeping step
with technology and the business world. - Goal to work more efficiently time is money
134ERA What It Means for Sponsored Projects
- Less Paper
- Training in multiple sponsor systems
- ERA Initiatives from Sponsors
- NEED FOR LOTS LOTS OF PATIENCE!!!
135ERA Federal Transactions
- NSF FastLane
- Proposal Review
- Proposal Preparation Submission
- Checking Proposal Status
- Project Report Submission Progress and Fiscal
- NIH Commons
- Edison Invention Reporting now interagency
- CRISP searchable database of federally funded
biomedical research - Electronic Streamlined Noncompeting Award Process
(e-SNAP)
136ERA Today
- Improvements in Technology
- More Customized Programs
- Not Yet a Paperless Environment
- Expanded Federal Participation Grants.Gov
- http//www.grants.gov
- a common face of the government, offering all
grantees (state and local governments,
universities, small businesses, etc.) fu