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.
Federal grants or cooperative agreements: Subject to the Uniform Guidance.
Federal contracts: Subject to the Federal Acquisitions Regulation (FAR) and Subpart E and Subpart F of the Uniform Guidance. Use Uniform Guidance for cost principles only, not record retention.
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:
Administrative and Clerical Costs: eCFR Part 200.413
Closeout: eCFR 200.344
Cost sharing or matching as defined by 2 CFR Part 200: eCFR 200.306
Revision of budget and program plans: eCFR 200.308
Faculty disengagement: eCFR 200.308(c)(3)
Group meeting costs: eCFR 200.432
Compensation personal services: eCFR 200.430
Internal controls: eCFR 200.303
Computing devices: eCFR 200.453
Procurement standards: eCFR 200.318
Small business subcontracting plan: eCFR 200.321
Residual supply inventory: eCFR 200.314
Record retention: eCFR 200.334
Travel: eCFR 200.475
Subawards
de minimis rate: eCFR 200.414
Fixed Price: eCFR 200.333
Monitoring: eCFR 200.331
Agency-Specific Terms & 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.