OSP News

MESSAGE FROM RANDY MOSES, INTERIM SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH

Congress ended the three-day federal government shutdown on Monday, January 22, 2018,  by passing a stopgap bill that keeps federal funds flowing through February 8. However, there remains the possibility that we could face another shutdown.

We do not expect that another brief shutdown will have a major impact on the direct conduct of research projects at Ohio State. The impact could be significant in the event of a longer shutdown.

During a shutdown, here is what you can expect, based on our recent experience:

• Work on federally funded projects can go forward as usual unless the funding agency issues a stop work order. In such cases, the Office of Sponsored Programs would receive a project specific notification. A stop work order is more likely to happen for contracts than grants.
• Many federal websites and business applications including NIH.gov, NSF.gov, nifa.usda.gov, FastLane, and Research.gov will likely either be unavailable or have disabled features. Grants.gov and some other federal systems would continue to operate, but have little or no support for problem resolution. Other systems, e.g., FastLane, would not be available.
• Federal agency program officers and grants management staff would not be available to answer questions, approve requests, etc.
• Much of the administration relative to federal funding would be on hold. New funding opportunities would not be issued, panel reviews would be postponed, and no new grants or no-cost extensions would be awarded. Federal agencies have filed shutdown contingency plans that provide information about what might happen during a future shutdown.

We recommend that investigators continue proposal preparation and internal submission. If a shutdown occurs, our Office of Sponsored Programs will hold proposals centrally until federal systems are functioning again.

Additional information is available in an Office of Management and Budget memorandum outlining issues related to the federal government’s Planning for Agency Operations during a Potential Lapse in Appropriations.

Should a shutdown occur, the Office of Research and Office of Sponsored Programs websites will be updated with information that is critical to the conduct of your research.

Office of Research staff will provide an overview of the new, redesigned PI Portal, demonstrate its enhanced features and address questions related to its use. This session is intended for faculty as well as department and college staff who use the PI Portal to access project financial information.

Sessions are filling up, new dates will be added to meet the demand. Click here to view the scheduled training.

Contact Kari Uhl for additional information.

On Monday, October 2, 2017, the Office of Research will launch a redesigned PI Portal. Improvements to the PI Portal are based on feedback from portal users from across the university. The new PI Portal features a robust search engine and a responsive and intuitive design, making it easier to view project-related financial information.

In the new PI Portal:

• The “Home Page” presents a simplified and summarized view of information relevant to you and your role within the university.
• The “Search” feature allows you to search by project number, title, department or investigator. You can also use keywords to narrow your search further.
• The “Project Details View” allows you to see project details that include a financial overview, demographics, expenditures, commitments and award documents.
• The “Line Item Rollup” enables you to create a report consisting of budget and expense information rolled up from selected projects.

Beginning October 2, you will automatically be directed to the new PI Portal when you use your existing links/bookmarks. You can also access the new PI Portal at eresearch.osu.edu or click on “PI Portal” listed under eTools on the Office of Sponsored Programs website. To ease the transition, access to the current PI Portal will remain until December 31, 2017, accessible through a link at the top of the new PI Portal. However, we encourage you to explore and begin using the new PI Portal right away.

A variety of training resources are available to help you transition to using the new PI Portal. An online user guide is available in the OR Help Desk knowledge base (go.osu.edu/orkb). In-person training is also available at many locations across campus. Visit researchcalendar.osu.edu to see the list of available dates and times and to sign up for a training session.

We would like to hear from you to help us make the PI Portal an even better tool. After the October 2nd launch, you will be able to provide feedback via the “Give Us Feedback” button in the lower right corner of the new PI Portal.

If you have questions or encounter any problems, contact the OR Help Desk at orhelpdesk@osu.edu or 614-688-8288.

Per the Federal Register notice dated 05/17/2017, The Ohio State University is delaying implementation of the new procurement requirements in OMB 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.326 until July 1, 2018.  The university will continue to comply with the procurement standards in the OMB guidance at 2 CFR §200.110(a) until that time.

Per NIH notice NOT-OD-17-049, the salary cap for grant, cooperative agreement and contract awards remains tied to Federal Executive Level II.  Effective January 8, 2017, Executive Level II increased to $187,000, up from $185,100.

Investigators may use the 2017 cap of $187,000 in preparing proposal budgets.  However, in keeping with the practice we have used in the past, Ohio State will start utilizing the new cap limit for salary cap processing on eligible projects effective July 1, 2017.  The reason for this practice is to mitigate to some extent the impact on current awards where funds will have to be re-budgeted to cover the increased salary costs.

For additional information, contact your Sponsored Programs Officer.

The Final Research Performance Progress Report (F-RPPR) will replace the Final Progress Report (FPR) for grants closeout, effective January 1, 2017.  The F-RPPR will be available for use in eRA Commons on January 1, 2017.

What This Means for You

If you have a final progress report due, and you wish to use the old FPR format of an uploaded document, you must submit the FPR before January 1, 2017. NIH will no longer accept any of the old format FPRs on or after January 1, 2017.

The Format

The format of the Final RPPR is very similar to that of the annual RPPR, the notable differences being the F-RPPR does not have sections F (Changes) and H (Budget).

Also, please note that just as with annual RPPRs, once completed, you will need to route the F-RPPR to your SPO so they can submit it.

The Changes

The F-RPPR does have a new section: Section I (Outcomes).  Project Outcomes (Section I) will be made publicly available, allowing recipients the opportunity to provide the general public with a concise summary of the public significance of the research

A significant change with implementation of the F-RPPR, is that in order to maximize public transparency, NIH will not maintain the current Type 2 policy which in accordance with NIHGPS Chapter 8.6.2 states that “whether funded or not” the progress report contained in the Type 2 application may serve in lieu of a separate final progress report. As a standard policy, NIH will request that organizations submit an “Interim-RPPR” while their renewal application (Type 2) is under consideration. In the event that the Type 2 is funded, NIH will treat the Interim-RPPR as the annual performance report for the final year of the previous competitive segment. If the Type 2 is not funded, the Interim-RPPR will be treated by NIH staff as the institution’s Final-RPPR

Deadline Remains Unchanged

The deadlines for submitting a Final RPPR remain the same – no later than 120 days from the project end date.

The NIH says that FAQs and additional information pertaining to NIH’s implementation of the F-RPPR, including instructions, will be available on the NIH RPPR website in the near future.

The university has just completed negotiations with DHHS on a 4 year F&A rate agreement. The agreement, dated September 23, 2016 establishes the rates shown below. These rates will apply through the end of FY20 and will continue to be used after that date until a new rate agreement is established.

MTDC (Modified Total Direct Costs) means all costs except equipment (stand-alone items with a useful life of a least 1 year and a unit cost of at least $5,000); capital expenditures (alterations and renovations); patient care costs; tuition; scholarships and fellowships; rental of off-site facilities; participant support costs; and subaward costs in excess of $25,000.

Please see the rate agreement for additional information about on-campus/off- campus designations and the components of the F&A rate.

Implementation

New proposals

Investigators should begin using the new rates in proposals immediately. For example, if proposing work that runs 7/1/17 – 6/30/20, use 55% for the first budget year (7/1/17 – 6/30/18) and 56% for the second and third budget years (7/1/18-6/30/20).

For awards that begin mid fiscal year, and therefore two different F&A rates would apply, it may be reasonable to assume a constant burn rate throughout the year, and therefore costs may be prorated in the proposal budget, e.g., in the first year of an award with a start date of Jan 1, 2018 F&A would be charged at 55% for the first 6 month and at 56% for the second 6 months. Or, you may use average rate of 55.5% for the 12 months.

New or competing continuation proposals submitted but not yet funded

OSP will work with sponsors to obtain the new F&A rate whenever possible. However, if we cannot obtain additional funds, direct costs will be protected and will not be reduced to cover the increase in F&A rate.

Currently active projects

These projects will continue to be charged their current rate, as proposed and awarded, until the next competitive segment or other natural break point.

If you have questions, please contact your department’s sponsored program officer.