Office of Sponsored Programs

Sponsored Programs Policies

Each award comes with its own specific terms and conditions, making it essential to understand the requirements for each one to ensure effective management. All federally sponsored awards, as well as many from non-governmental sponsors, align with 2 CFR 200, known as Uniform Guidance (UG). This framework streamlines and consolidates government requirements for receiving and utilizing federal assistance funds, aiming to reduce administrative burdens and enhance outcomes. Published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2014 (79 Fed. Reg. 75871), it took effect for new and continuation awards issued on or after December 26, 2014. These guidelines form the foundation for most sponsored project requirements at Stevens.Uniform Guidance and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR):Different regulations govern federal awards based on whether they are grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts.

Uniform Guidance: 2 CFR 200

Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards is a comprehensive grants management policy. Abbreviated OMB Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Guidance, or UG.In April 2024, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published its Final Rule revising the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. These changes represent the most substantial revision to Uniform Guidance since its inception in 2014. A summary of these significant changes can be found here.

Search Uniform Guidance: To search Uniform Guidance, use eCFR. The eCFR site provides extensive guides to navigation and search capability.

Commonly used Uniform Guidance reference points via eCFR:

Agency-Specific Terms and Conditions

In addition, each federal agency has its specific award guidance documents for managing grants and cooperative agreements. Those of our most frequent funders are listed below:

Federal Acquisition Regulation

As you start reading and referencing the FAR, it is helpful to understand how to locate Parts and Subparts quickly and efficiently. The FAR is divided into 8 subchapters (A-H) and consists of 53 total Parts. Those Parts are then divided into subparts, sections, and subsections. For example, the FAR section cited above – 1.102-1 – reads as follow: Part 1, Subpart 10, Section 2, Subsection 1.The first 12 FAR Parts deal with general government acquisition matters and planning. The remaining 41 FAR Parts comprehensively cover topics that include acquisition methods, Socioeconomic Programs, Major Systems Acquisition, and Patents, Data, and Copyrights, and many others. Though the FAR is dense and its hard-copy form is over 2,100 pages, the information is very understandable and easy to read and covers almost everything about government acquisitions.FAR Part 52 includes all the required contract clauses and provisions necessary for government procurements, as well as a Provision and Clause Matrix which identifies all required clauses and provisions that are necessary or optional for each contract type. Furthermore, FAR Part 53 includes an extensive library of necessary forms and information in a very reader-friendly format.

Though the FAR is detailed and often criticized, it does provide an incredible resource for determining how the government acquires goods and services.Click here for a complete FAR download in various formats. A quick reference to FAR Parts/Subparts is also provided below.

Part 1 Federal Acquisition Regulation System

Part 2 Definitions of Words and Terms

Part 3 Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest

Part 4 Administrative & Information Matters

Part 5 Publicizing Contract Actions

Part 6 Competition Requirements

Part 7 Acquisition Planning

Part 8 Required Sources of Supplies and Services

Part 9 Contractor Qualifications

Part 10 Market Research

Part 11 Describing Agency Needs

Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services

Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures

Part 14 Sealed Bidding

Part 15 Contracting by Negotiation

Part 16 Types of Contracts

Part 17 Special Contracting Methods

Part 18 Emergency Acquisitions

Part 19 Small Business Programs

Part 20 Reserved

Part 21 Reserved

Part 22 Application of Labor Laws to Government Acquisitions

Part 23 Environment, Sustainable Acquisition, and Material Safety

Part 24 Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information

Part 25 Foreign Acquisition

Part 26 Other Socioeconomic Programs

Part 27 Patents, Data, and Copyrights

Part 28 Bonds and Insurance

Part 29 Taxes

Part 30 Cost Accounting Standards Administration

Part 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures

Part 32 Contract Financing

Part 33 Protests, Disputes, and Appeals

Part 34 Major Systems Acquisition

Part 35 Research and Development Contracting

Part 36 Construction and Architect-Engineer Contracts

Part 37 Service Contracting

Part 38 Federal Supply Schedule Contracting

Part 39 Acquisition of Information Technology

Part 40 Information Security and Supply Chain Security

Part 41 Acquisition of Utility Services

Part 42 Contract Administration and Audit Services

Part 43 Contract Modifications

Part 44 Subcontracting Policies and Procedures

Part 45 Government Property

Part 46 Quality Assurance

Part 47 Transportation

Part 48 Value Engineering

Part 49 Termination of Contracts

Part 50 Extraordinary Contractual Actions and the safety act

Part 51 Use of Government Sources by Contractors

Part 52 Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses

Part 53 Forms.

If you have any questions about the FAR or government contract litigation, please reach out to our OSP Post-Award Team contacts.