Grant and Research Development

SPS ITEMS DISCUSSED:

1.   Grant & Contract Manager Position Posted

The position has been changed from classified to A/P. Everyone is encouraged to apply, it is posted on the CHR Website and the HR Website. It is a regional search so get the word out to anyone you think might be interested. The position will require the need for supervision, organization, efficiencies and reporting. Any questions about the position can be directed to Lori.

2.   Minority and Women Businesses (MB/WB) requirement on EPA grants

EPA did a site investigation and was very pleased with our programs. They were most interested in recruiting our outstanding PI’s and are looking forward to working with WSU in the future. EPA requires that WSU reports the percentage of minority owned (MB) or women owned (WB) businesses that the University does business with. The state of WA passed initiative 200 which removed this requirement. It is time consuming and costly so most minority and woman owned businesses no longer participate in this program. SPS is requesting that departments who have EPA contracts/grants track the percent of vendors used that fall under the category of MB/WB. A reasonable estimate will meet the EPA requirements. Currently there are 3 EPA grants that have closed. SPS will be contacting the departments that are impacted by this request. As an added note, FDP is currently addressing this issue for standardization purposes.

3.   SPAR (i.e. Guarantees) Forms-Review of Important Information Needed

In an effort to create a further efficiency SPS is asking the departments to complete the forms as completely as they can. Be sure to include program numbers if you have them for an existing account. If it is federal flow-thru please check the appropriate box. Thanks for your help.

4.   F&A Updates FY02 Test Year

Lori and Brad want to thank you for your timely responses on the Space Surveys. It is expected that space surveys will be updated on an annual basis. Space Survey training will also be provided annually by the Department of SPS. Although the increased equipment capitalization threshold resulted in a one in half percent decrease for the equipment component of the organized research F&A rate, building componentization acted to raise the building component by approximately one in a half percent. The FY 02 calculated F&A rate for Other Sponsored Activities (OSA) increased significantly (32.74% to 34.16% for the on campus rate and 22.8% to 26% for the off campus rate). Both the on campus and off campus WSU Extension projects often fall under the OSA category.

5.   SPS Updates

We are extremely pleased with the performance of our two newest team members, Kim Small and Patty Sparkman. Christy will be defending her dissertation July 23rd at 8:30am. She will start her new assessment and accountability position in West Virginia on August 1 st . She is really excited and we wish her the best.

OGRD ITEMS DISCUSSED:

1.   Grant Transfer Policy Update

OGRD will be updating the procedure regarding grant transfers; this will be posted on the OGRD website when complete. In addition to general award transfer procedure, the new policy updates will specifically target NSF and NIH grant transfer procedures. Please note that all NSF transfers must go through FastLane regardless of the submission procedure used for the original funding as paper copy requests are no longer accepted by NSF.

2.    Pre-Propsals

OGRD is currently receiving pre-proposal letters of intent; cover pages, scopes of work, etc for submission to the agency without a REX form. Please review memo 25 on the OGRD Policies website at http://www.ogrd.wsu.edu/policies.asp ; OGRD review does not start until they receive the executed REX form.

3.   Purchased Services on Grant/Contract Budgets

Please contact OGRD if you have any questions regarding the difference between a subcontract and a purchased service. Many items that have been run through as purchased services should actually be subcontracts. OGRD will gladly assist to determine the correct choice. This distinction is very important as it is difficult to resolve the situation after the money is spent.

4.   Graduate Student Fellowship Insurance

Graduate Student Medical Insurance is no longer covered under Fellowship (stipend based) awards. This affects 30-40 students campus wide. In order to qualify for graduate medical insurance, these fellowships must be converted to Graduate Research Assistant appointments. Most sponsoring agencies are willing to allow WSU to make these changes without formal approval so that WSU can resolve the problem as an internal issue. Most agencies, however, will not increase the awards to cover the additional expenses with these appointments so the departments will need to cover the added expenses.

5.   Memo #2 Update (Patent Filing & Radioactive Waste Expenses)

If a PI anticipates patent filing, please budget for IP costs. The Intellectual Property Office does not have the budget to cover the expenses for all of the patents currently being filed. Anticipate $7,500 to $15,000 for U.S. Patents and up to $150,000 for International Patents.

If a project will include a high level of radioactive waste, please budget for disposal of this waste. While a normal amount of disposal is covered by F&A, the expenses for projects with disposal that is greater than normal are not recovered by F&A and may be included in the budget as a direct cost. Please work with Radiation Safety to determine an estimated cost for projects with a high level of radioactive waste.

6.   Budgeting for Miscellaneous Goods & Services

A large number of proposal budgets are being sent back from funding agencies for further clarification. Please make sure that a full description of the make up of these amounts is included in either the budget form or the budget justification. Note: Costs must be broken down by item on the budget worksheet for Department of Energy/Battelle proposals.

OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED:

1.   Tax-Free Equipment Proposal

Tom Martin brought up the issue of no tax on equipment. 3-4 months ago there was discussion regarding the U of W going through this process and receiving a large refund. WSU was working on that and then there has been no discussion since. Where are we on this issue?

There is a meeting 10:00 this morning (7/12/04) to discuss this process. It will require Budget Council Approval. SPS will send an update as soon as there is something to report.

2.   OGRD Introduces Lauri Kramer, Grant & Contract Coordinator

Lauri Kramer will be taking over administration of Shelagh O’Neill’s areas. Lauri has been working with grants and contracts since 1991. Lauri recently earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Washington State University . We are excited to have Lauri on board!!!

DATE & TIME FOR NEXT MEETING TBA VIA RAC LISTSERV

Jen Raupp

Grant & Contract Coordinator

OGRD