Greetings Colleagues,
The recording of our 12.10.2020 meeting and materials from the session are available on the December MRAM page. Q&A from the session are included here for reference.
Federal Relations Update
Q: What is our (Washington's) delegation focused on or interested in with respect to science/research?
A: Our Congressional delegation’s interests vary from member to member. That said, there is a strong focus on research and fields that can directly help people as well as investing in science and research that will expand or become future industries in Washington state. Health care and improving the quality of life for all people is a significant focus. Renewable energy and green energy production and development is a strong interest. Finally, investing in the environment such as preserving and improving ecosystems – this can range from climate change focus to researching wildfires and earthquake warning systems.
Q: Besides these meetings, where is the best place to stay up to date about changes?
A: Please read out blog! We update regularly on action up and in action for both the House and Senate as well as other significant policy develops at the political level.
Q: Thank you for your hard work on our behalf! I appreciate the update. It would be great to get updates on the evolving situation re: continuing resolution(s).
A: Check out our blog! We update frequently and when able, have information relevant to the UW audience highlighted.
Human Subjects Updates:
e-Consent, Subject Payment, & COVID Planning
Q: Are there costs for using ITHS templates? {REDCap}
A: The UW Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) provides free of charge the use of REDCap™ (Research Electronic Data Capture) software as a service for everyone at the UW. This service includes the REDCap application software hosted in a web server, disk space for data storage within reason, regular system backups, software patches and upgrades, basic and advanced training courses, and online documentation.
ITHS does charge for a few things but they are options (like external modules) or consults that require their expertise.
FY20 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
Covered Telecommunications Equipment and Services
Q: I have not seen this in the purchasing newsletter. Perhaps send it out that way too?
A: Information will be included in the December Procurement Service Newsletter.
Q: What about reimbursements, are those being reviewed?
A: Purchases for reimbursement or via PCard should be approved at the department level. Before placing an order with a non-UW contract vendor, departments should review the list of excluded parties in SAM (System for Award Management) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for “covered telecommunications equipment or services” and ensure the company is in compliance with the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act FY2019) and has represented they are in compliance with FAR 52.204-26: Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services.
Q: Is there a list or a link of companies that are prohibited? & How do we find that list?
A: The current list includes Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of those entities) None of these firms are in our Supplier Search Report. They will be listed on the Procard Guidance page soon and if additional firms are identified we will update our webpages.
Q; What are you doing about all the equipment already in service at the UW? Is there any oversight regarding prior purchases?
A: We performed a sample audit of prior purchases since August of 2019, and to the best of our knowledge, the University is not using any equipment, system or services that uses equipment and services that falls under the definition of Critical Systems that is covered by this legislation as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system.
Q: This would be good to present to IT director groups.
A: Thank you for the suggestion; we will follow up with the IT Directors Group
Q: What happens to items that were already purchased in the past. E.g. phones. PIs cannot use them at all or only in Federal projects?
A: We have reviewed past purchases and to the best of our knowledge, the University is in compliance with this statute. Consumer grade phones and laptops would not be classified as critical systems or an essential component of any system, or as a critical technology as part of any system.
Related Procurement Resources:
- How to Buy
- Terms and Conditions - considerations for federally funded purchases
- Exceptions List - campus to review this list prior to placing an order in Ariba
- Procard Guidance - Page updates coming soon!
CORE Training Update
Q: Does that mean that to complete the research administration certificate, all the classes will be available through the videos on demand on the GCA web site, no live classes?
A: On-demand videos on partner websites like GCA and PAFC websites will NOT meet the credit requirements for the CORE Research Administration certificate. All credit requirements must be met by registering for and completing courses found at the CORE registration website.
CORE and the Office of Research are also evaluating whether to link to more contextual videos across the Research Lifecycle website. Stay tuned.
CORE Certificate in Research Administration
CARES Act Funding Tracking
Q: I noticed one of my staff assignments was renamed to include COVID-19, so you are changing budget titles as noted?
A: GCA's New Process - Supplemental CARES Act Funding from their 3rd Quarter Newsletter:
If you receive any supplemental Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for your COVID-19 projects, note that this funding must be separately recorded and tracked to ensure accountability and transparency as required by law.
GCA creates a new sub budget when supplemental funding has a different Federal Document number or indirect cost rate than the base funding, or if the expenses are required to be reported or invoiced for separately.
If your supplemental funding involves CARES Act funds, GCA will do the following:
- Establish a sub budget solely for your COVID-19 project so funds can be accurately tracked and recorded.
- “C19” will be included in the budget title to clearly differentiate the funds.
- Add Grant Control Flag 19 to the sub budget’s profile in the financial system.
- For cost reimbursable awards, we will invoice this sub budget separately.
- If your award is milestone or scheduled payment, we will be on the lookout for separate reporting terms and conditions for these funds.
Questions?
gcahelp@uw.edu
GCA Newsletters