| September-13-2004
meeting - items discussed:
(Meeting
Video Available at http://www.ogrd.wsu.edu/presentations/RAC/091304RAC.asx)
OGRD
ITEMS DISCUSSED:
1.
2005 USDA NRI RFA
The
2005 USDA NRI Request for Applications was made available
9/3/04. The application packet is 122 pgs in length. It is
suggested that those interested save the following web address
on their computers:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/nri_rfa.html
Those
applying should also be sure they have the correct program
number on the proposals being submitted to avoid any error
in the proposal submission.
2.
Electronic Research Tools Seminar - 9/33/04
The
Electronic Research Tools Seminar will be held 09/30/04 at
Thompson Hall, Rm #1 at 1:30 pm. This seminar will be conducted
by Jennifer Jansen and will contain detail on the electronic
submission of grant proposals specifically on NSF Fastlane
and Grants.Gov. Comparatively the two submission styles are
different with Fastlane being a web based application and
grants.gov requiring a download of the information and application
materials to be uploaded as a complete file for submission.
PI’s and RA’s are encouraged to attend this seminar with the
being directed at those who work closely with the proposal
submission. If there are any questions, please email ogrd@wsu.edu
for further information.
3.
New Faculty Orientation Sessions - 10/6 and 10/7/2004
On
October 6th and 7th , the new faculty orientations will be
presented on the Pullman campus and broadcast to WSU-Spokane,
ICNE, WSU Tri-Cities and WSU-Vancouver. It will be held Wednesday,
October 6th at 2:10-4:00 pm from Murrow 55 and Thursday, October
7th at 9:10-11:00 am from EME B46. All faculty are encouraged
to attend.
4.
The Federal Alphabet Soup Workshop with Bob Lowman
October 12th and 14th The Federal Alphabet Soup will be presented
by Bob Lowman. On October 12th , the presentation will be
held in Pullman at the Pullman Quality Inn from 8-4:30 pm.
On October 14th the presentation will be held in Renton ,
WA . This presentation will address the federal side of proposal
opportunities. If you have additional questions, please contact
ogrd@wsu.edu or consult
the OGRD website.
5.
OGRD Tip of the Month
Andrea
Comley discussed an NIH policy regarding proposals that indicate
the import of Bio-Materials. Per NIH, It is required to have
the Department of State review the materials requested. PI’s
should be aware, that this review can take up to two years.
The following web site at NIH provides additional information
on the policy:
http://www1.od.nih.gov/oma/manualchapters/contracts/6325-1/main.html
Only proposals which are importing materials identified in
the policy. Even though NIH has provided the policy it should
be consistent with other federal agencies since the Department
of State review is required.
SPS
ITEMS DISCUSSED:
1.
SPS Updates
Lori
Selby – Richard Redford has been hired in the position of
Office Assistant III. Previously Richard worked in the Budget
Office in a similar position. In addition to Richard’s experience
as an administrative assistant, he also possesses expertise
in the area of technology.
Grants
and contracts manager open position – The search process has
gone well and it is expected an offer will be made in the
near future to one of the applicants. The pool of applicants
is very good.
2.
Audits
Sandia
National Lab Desk Audit – We have responded to their questions
and are waiting to hear if there are any additional requests
for information from WSU.
Tom
Martin questioned why WSU is continuously being audited by
sponsoring agencies. The A-133 single audit was designed to
prevent institutions being disrupted by auditors repeatedly
throughout a fiscal year.
Lori
Selby – Federal agencies are being audited themselves by the
Federal government which has created a domino effect in regards
to sub-recipient monitoring. In return WSU has increased emphasis
on sub-recipient monitoring through site visits and desk audits
of entities that we consider to be a high risk.
Kris
Boreen offered additional insight - PPNL, Sandia Labs, Livermore
Labs were found to have a lack of internal control with their
purchasing cards. Make sure all your purchasing cards are
in order because that is a risk. Almost every agency has problems
with their P-Cards.
Disclosure
Statement Audit
Lori
Selby – DHHS subcontracted with the Department of Defense
Contract Audit Agency for the purpose of conducting WSU’s
Disclosure Statement audit. WSU has responded to the DCAA
auditor Mai Duong’s report and we are now waiting to hear
if she has further requests. Mai Duong noted during her visit
that WSU has strong internal controls and good policies and
procedures. She requested that our Business Policies and Procedures
Manual (BPPM) be referenced throughout the DS 2.
3.
Service Center BPPM
Lori
Selby - Mary Hoffman has offered some good suggestions and
ideas for clearification of the Service Center BPPM. If you
would like a copy of the most current draft please let me
know. Your review is welcomed.
4.
SPS Tip of the Month
Nancy
McMahon - OGRD number is needed on the SPAR guarantees
This
helps us make sure there is not already an existing guarantee
account set up.
It
is especially important since we have new staff doing account
set up.
Lori
Selby – Brad Baily and Lori just returned form the Comprehensive
Rate Information System CRIS Conference in DC regarding the
FA proposals. Besides being an outstanding and informative
conference we also benefited from networking with experts
in the field.
The
next RAC Meeting will be Monday, October 8, 2004 at 9:10 am.
Lauri
Kramer
Grant
& Contract Coordinator
OGRD
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